Joanna James
From its cultural sites and sandy beaches to the quaint town atmosphere, the coastal town of Kalutara is an ideal getaway location for those in need of a break from the hustle and bustle of Colombo.
A stunning mansion wrapped in romance and tragedy, it was built by a prominent officer and resident of Kalutara during the early 1990s. The idea for the castle came to him during a visit to India where he visited the house of a Maharaja. It's also believed the intention to build the palace stemmed from his wanted to impress the family of a girl he was in love with. Much of the materials used to build the mansion were imported from around the world. Unfortunately, while the gentleman did get the girl, the story didn't have a happy ending. Their marriage was childless, and it is rumoured that his wife had a secret affair with a servant that would go on to end the marriage.
The site of some of the oldest indications for Mesolithic habitation in Sri Lanka. The Fa Hien Caves are considered to be a part of the largest natural rock in Asia and feature a network of natural tunnels that could easily accommodate around 3000 people. During an excavation many years ago, human skulls and artefacts were discovered and identified as being around 37,000 years old. Making the caves the oldest prehistoric settlement in Asia as well.
Located along the banks of the Kalu Ganga, the Bodhinagala Forest Hermitage is a monetary situated inside a forest reserve. The reserve itself is well-known and is considered a great spot for bird watching, with several species of endemic birds found here. The monastery covers around 50 acres of forest and provides a serene setting for the meditating monks. Aside from the main house, the complex includes a number of smaller buildings, a medical facility, living quarters for the monks and several pathways that run through the forest.
If you're driving or taking a cab to your Kalutara hotel, then you'll definitely pass this monument. It's the first thing you see as you enter the town, a magnificent pagoda towering over the passing vehicles, and right next to it, a beautiful Bodhi tree. The tree is believed to been grown from a sprout of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, which was planted somewhere between 307 BC – 267 BC. Most vehicles passing by will stop here to drop coins in a till and ask for blessings on their journey.
A gorgeous waterfall tucked away in the interior region, this waterfall is a must-see thanks to the beauty of its cascading falls and jungle setting. To reach the falls requires a drive inland and then onto a rubber estate. Once you begin your trek through the estate you'll hear the thunderous sounds of the falls before you see it. The journey to the falls can be a bit tricky without a guide so if you happen to stay at a hotel in town like AVANI Kalutara Resort, for example, see if you can have a car arranged to take you there.emphasized text
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