Joanna James
Beruwala sits along the south-west coast of Sri Lanka. A laid-back fishing village, the place boasts a gorgeous stretch of sand, the Indian Ocean to swim in and local culture to experience.
Bentota is the next town and a mere 19 minutes from your Beruwala resort. Just 10kms inland from the Bentota town centre is the Brief Gardens. A gorgeous flourish of flora, the place was designed by Bewis Bawa, the brother of Sri Lanka's iconic architect Geoffrey Bawa. The house has within its folds an exquisite collection of artworks while the gardens are made up of secret alcoves, twisting paths and cheeky statues. Guests at hotels along the south coast such as Cinnamon Bey Beruwala will find this attraction within easy reach and worth visiting.
Many Sri Lanka beach hotels are located within close range of ancient Buddhist shrines; all it takes is a trek into the villages and you stumble upon centuries-old relics. The Galapata Raja Temple is just 3kms inland from Bentota and can be found sitting along the beautiful banks of the Bentota River. The 12th century shrine, displays beautiful murals as well as, a 2500 year old dagoba; which many believe houses the tooth relic of Kasyapa, Buddha's chief disciple.
Aluthgama is a town located 14 minutes from your hotel in Beruwala; there a busy market takes place every Monday along the railway line. If you love discovering local culture and lifestyles, do pay this bustling bazaar a visit, and you will see how sellers and consumers interact; haggling over prices and having a good time shopping for essentials, like fruits, vegetables, fish, coconuts etc.
Visitors enjoying a stay at a Beruwala beach resort should not miss out on a chance to explore the Kechimalai mosque. This is Beruwala's iconic attraction, marked as the first Muslim settlement on the island in 1024. The mosque was built on a headland along the coastal strip, marking the site of the first landing. This shrine is a much-visited location, especially during the end of Ramadan; when pilgrims from all parts of the island flock for prayers at the mosque, its boundaries caressed by the beating waves of the Indian Ocean.
The Kalutara Bodhiya is less than half an hour from your Beruwela accommodation; it sits at the entrance to the town, occupying both ends of the road, caressed by the River Kalu. Along the banks of the river grows a massive Bo-Tree, believed to be a sapling from a branch of the very tree under which the Buddha attained Nirvana. An iconic pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka, the shrine is where all Buddhist devotees stop to pay homage and offer alms at the wayside tills; a gesture believed to invoke the blessings of the Dhamma for a safe journey.
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