Joanna James
Kandalama a rustic city in Sri Lanka is home to one of the nation's first five star resorts. Kandalama is loved for its jungle environs, wildlife and UNESCO World Heritage Sites as listed below.
The famous rock caves of Dambulla are less than half an hours from Heritance Kandalama. A UNESCO World Heritage Site the caves are over 2,000 years old. Based on a rock that peers over the land the network of caves have been numbered at over 20; although it is the main five that house the temples and its treasured relics. Each one of the five caves are dedicated to symbolic artefacts such as statues of the Lord Buddha, Hindi Gods, murals of Buddha's life, statues of ancient kings and a cauldron that never runs dry due to a mysterious underground spring located at its base. Enjoy the woodland surroundings and interacting with the cheeky monkey tribes that seem to have claimed the area as their private abode. Either way The Rock Temples are quite aptly treasured as one of Sri Lanka's unique cultural and religious attractions.
The Lions Rock Fortress is located in Sigiriya just 20 minutes from Kandalama; the place is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deemed as the eighth wonder of the world, the place is a citadel built by King Kashyapa of the 5th century. Based on a huge rock sitting in the middle of a verdant forest the kingdom comprises of rock caves, lotus ponds, sky gardens and world famous murals. Visit the museum and learn about the rock fortress and its history; marvel at the ancient infrastructure and see how religion and royalty maintained close ties.
Pidurangala Rock is often overlooked although the place is just as fascinating as Sigiriya. Located across the forest from Sigiriya the rock offers birds eye views of the rock fortress and the surrounding regions. The climb takes about 45 minutes and is well worth the effort for the rock summit is home to an ancient monastery established by King Kashyapa. The monastery was established by the king when he relocated the monks residing at Sigiriya to Pidurangala. There is even a monument there that suggests the King was cremated at this site.
Head over to one of the best Sri Lanka resorts located in Kandalama and enjoy a holistic spa treatment that is infused with traditional methods and rituals. Traditional Ayurveda methods are used to relax and tone tired muscles while leg massages, scalp treatments and overall body wraps in herbs and sweet smelling blossoms promise to rejuvenate mind body and soul.
There is a Dambulla based ballooning company that offers one a gorgeous and memorable hot air balloon ride over the forested reserves of Kandalama. Going up to about 650 metres from ground level the experience is truly amazing.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
