Joanna James
Kalutara is one of the most important cities in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The city is replete with many charming attractions and the neighbouring coastal towns also offer quite a lot of opportunities to discover blissful indulgences. The article below details the top five things that you can do in Kalutara during your exotic beach vacation.
Every year hundreds and thousands of Buddhists arrive in the city to pay homage to the Kalutara Bodhiya, which is known to be one of the 32 saplings of the sacred fig tree, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the island and is well worth a visit. The Kalutara Chaitya, one of the very few hollow stupas in the world, is located in close proximity to the Kalutara Bodhiya. The chaitya contains 74 murals that portray varying aspects of Buddha's life.
The beaches of Kalutara are quite popular among locals and tourists who find the lure of these golden shores quite irresistible. A number of luxury resorts have opened up along the shores to provide the highest levels of comfort and opulence that these masses of tourists desire. At most of these stunning hotels in Kalutara you will find the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality pairing with world class standards of service to give you a truly unmatched luxury experience. You can also treat yourself to the fiery goodness of Sri Lankan cuisine and indulge in divine ayurvedic spa treatments at these exotic beach resorts. Hotels such as Anantara Kalutara Resort are good options to consider in the city.
Brief Garden by Bewis Bawa is one of the most picturesque locations in the country. This mesmerizing place used to be the residing place of Major Bevis William Frederick Bawa, one of the most talented landscape architects in Sri Lanka. He was also the brother of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
To reach the gardens one must drive past paddy fields that line charming little country lanes. The moment you enter through the gates of the gardens you will feel like you have left behind the mundane world with its wanton cares. Here you will find enchanting pathways that lead you to cosy enclaves and little glistening lakes. Whispering trees adorn every corner of these gardens, blending in effortlessly with the stunning sculptures that stand tall in the sunshine. Bewis Bawa himself is said to have done most of the intricate sculptures found in the gardens.
The house that is found in the gardens possesses equal charm. Spectacular pieces of furniture, elegant decor details and a number of old photographs that have captured some of the glorious moments of yesteryear can be admired here.
In short, this is surely a place that must be visited when holidaying in Kalutara. You can easily reach it in about 45 minutes from the city.
Treat yourself to the sensational delight of an idyllic river safari as you enjoy the tropical delights of Kalutara. Madu Ganga, which can be accessed from Kalutara in an hour, possesses rich bio diversity and lavish mangrove forests. Wild boars, monkeys and squirrels can be easily spotted during these relaxing river safaris. It's also interesting know that over 31 types of reptiles, 111 species of birds and over 50 kinds of butterflies are recorded in the region.
The legendary Kande Viharaya, located approximately 30 minutes away from the city centre, is yet another fascinating site that can be visited when travelling in Kalutara. The Bodhi tree of this temple is considered to be over 300 years old. A newly built Samadhi Buddha statue, which is considered to be one of the tallest sitting Buddha statues in the world being 160 feet in height, is also found at the premises. So make sure you include this beautiful place in your itinerary.
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