Joanna James
With the beach fringed with palm trees and the old-colonial ambience, Kalutara enthrals its visitors with its charming attractions. It's only an hour's drive from Colombo which makes it more appealing.
Inspired by Maharaja's house in India, Mudaliyar Don Arthur De Silva decided to build a mansion resembling the one he was so fascinated by. It is also said that this was a romantic gesture which was meant to impress his sweetheart. The materials that were used to build the place was imported from abroad without sparing any expense. The site is considered an architecturally important establishment owing to its unique style, the lion head fountain and the ventilated interior.
The cascading waters are nestled between a rubber estate and a massive jungle. If you are coming down from Colombo, you can take the Kalutara-Katukurunda-Matugama route and get to Thudugala junction. From there it's easier to take a tuk-tuk which will cost you about Rs.300. As you drive alongside the rubber estate, after 300 meters or so, you will hear the flushing waters. Another 100 meters further is the waterfall surrounded by thick vegetation of trees.
This is a monastery situated on the riverbank of Kalu Ganga in the middle of Dombagaskanda forest reserve. If you love birds, this is the perfect spot for you to observe Sri Lankan birdlife. The monastery stretches over 50 acres providing plenty of solitude for monks who meditate. There are living quarters, meditative pathways and medical facilities as well.
Located off the edge of the Indian Ocean, you can see Holy Cross Church as you travel on Colombo-Galle main road. The Dutch architecture is what singles out the site with its glass windows, high roofs and arches. As soon as you've entered the premises, you will see a statue of Virgin Mary which is revered by devotees from everywhere in the country.
This is the sign telling you that you are entering the territories of Kalutara. It doesn't matter where you are travelling from, you will see this pagoda majestically shot into the air. The premise served as an administrative centre during Dutch, Portuguese and British colonial era. The history of the site goes back nearly 2,000 years which is why the temple has become a place of interest. Not to mention the fact that you can take lodgings at a Kalutara resort that is akin to AVANI Kalutara Resort – which is a stone's throw from the temple like many other resorts flanking the temple.
This is the largest natural rock formation in the whole of Asia which has room for about 3,000 people at any given time. The site is archaeologically important especially due to findings of weapons and human skulls that go back 37,000 years.
The temple was built in the 1870s which was home to the disciples of Aluthgama Sangarathne. At first, the disciples had to take up residence in the forest near Kalu Ganga. This came to the attention of Mr.Elliyas Fernando who decided to provide funds for the construction of a temple.
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