The Sri Lankan heritage steeped in legend and religion timeless past with its many mounments, shrines and stupas, weaves together an unbroken story of buddhism - the doctrine that shaped the destiny of this Island Nation.

Anuradhapura

Founded in 5^th century BC-where the great Sinhala civilization flourished Amongst the many monuments and shrines is the Sri Maha Bodhi, over 2200 years old, grown from the very tree under which Lord Buddha attained Nibbana. The city's greatest treasures are the dagobas, colossal in every sense, rivalled only by pyramids of Egypt.

Polonnaruwa

The medieval capital of Sri Lanka of the 9^th -12 century AD suffered \ many a south Indian invasion before eventually settling down to ruin. Mighty edifices built by the ancient Sinhala kings yet remain in good preservation depicting its period of glory as a one-time Capital of this nation. Unlike in Anuradhapura, the chief monuments are concentrated in easily accessible locations.

a jungle shrine with Buddha statues over a thousand years old. On the face of this tall Buduruwagala rock is carved in high relief, a unique assemblage of gigantic statuary. In the centre, flanked by two 13 meter statues of the Bodhisatvas stands dominantly, an 18 meter high image of the Buddha.

Sigiriya

'The Rock fortress in the Sky', now the 8^th wonder of the world, rising almost sheer to a height of 200 meters, is woven in tragedy of a demented king escaping the wrath of an angered people by the killing of his Royal father. The famed mirror wall, with over 700 recently deciphered graffiti, the beautiful water gardens, the kings palace atop this huge rock out-crop, and most of all the 22 frescoes of the life-size 'heavenly maidens of the Sigiriya' collectively enhance the magnificence Sigiriya - The Lion Rock.

Sri Lankan architectural tradition is well displayed at Sigiriya, the best preserved city centre in Asia from the first millennium, with its combination of buildings and gardens with their trees, pathways, water gardens, the fusion of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements, use of varying levels and of axial and radial planning. The Complex consists of the central rock, rising 200 meters above the surrounding plain, and the two rectangular precincts on the east (90 hectares) and the west (40 hectares), surrounded by two moats and three ramparts. The plan of the city is based on a precise square module. The layout extends outwards from co-ordinates at the centre of the palace complex at the summit, with the eastern and western axis directly aligned to it. The water garden, moats and ramparts are based on an ‘echo plan’ duplicating the layout and design on either side. This city still displays its skeletal layout and its significant features. 3 km from east to west and 1 km from north to south it displays the grandeur and complexity of urban-planning in 5^th century Sri Lanka.

Dambulla

the vast rock mass, once the retreat of a King fleeing from defeat in war, who on regaining his throne turned the caves that once sheltered him to rock temples. With statues and frescoes over 2000 years old, the most magnificent is the colossal granite-carved figure of the recumbent Buddha 14 meters long that adorns one o the caves. The climb begins along a large sloping rock face through shrub jungle frequented by herds of monkeys, who, if encouraged may snatch at your outstretched hand appealing for a lit-bit.

Kelaniya

the temple near Colombo graced by the Buddha in the 8^th year after attaining enlightenment, on his third visit to the island. According to tradition it is said he bathed in the Kelani river, which flows close to this temple. Kelaniya, once the seat of royalty, was ravaged by succeeding invaders, eventually to be renovated in the 18^th century. The present temple is a splendid example of Sinhala art, with murals adorning the inner walls where a large recumbent image of the Buddha is found.

the forest clad mountain, sacred to the Buddhist, where the great bhikshu (monk) Mahinda, preached the first sermon on Buddhism to the then King of Aunurhapura in the 3^rd. century BC. Dedicated to this memorable event are shrines and monuments built on this sacred mountain - with a remarkable stairway leading up - made of 1840 granite slabs - arranged in four flights - now popularly known as 'the stairways to heaven'