Joanna James
The island nation of Sri Lanka attracts a multitude of tourists each year. There are a host of reasons to visit including its diversity, people, cultural heritage, festivals, spiritual experiences, wildlife and more.
Sri Lanka offers a diverse selection of experiences for the visitor. In Sri Lanka, you will have the opportunity to go surfing at dawn and admire the tranquil green mountains at dusk on the same day. In this island nation, you will be able to enjoy a beach holiday, observe wildlife, indulge in exciting adventure sports or visit several of the world’s oldest cities. Sri Lanka’s multicultural environment means that visitors will have the chance to experience a variety of interesting festivities in the course of a year as well.
You will find that Sri Lanka features a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society, which is a result of the nation experiencing successive waves of immigrants belonging to different ethnicities. The principal ethnic groups, the Sinhalese and the Tamils, have their origins in the subcontinent of India. On the other hand, Sri Lankan Muslims are the descendants of Muslim traders who made their home here. The local Malays and the Chinese arrived in the island from different parts of Asia. Meanwhile, the Burghers are the descendants of colonial era European immigrants.
Sri Lanka boasts no less than eight sites which have gained UNESCO World Heritage status, all of which may be experienced within a week. Cultural highlights include the historic town of Galle with its famed fort that dates to the period of Dutch colonialism. Not to be missed is the highland city of Kandy which is a religious focal point. Make it a point to visit the striking rock fortress at Sigiriya which may be considered to be an iconic sight in Sri Lanka. Culture lovers will be entranced by the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura as well as Polonnaruwa, in addition to the Dambulla cave temple.
Since almost all of the major religions of the world, in addition to a variety of ethnic and social groups are represented in Sri Lanka, it is not surprising that the island features a host of interesting festivals. One such example is the traditional New Year, which falls in April and is celebrated with fireworks, music and delectable foods. An important religious festival is the Vesak festival in May which is a highlight for local Buddhists. Not to be missed is the Kandy Esala Perahera which is an elaborate procession featuring elephants and various performers.
Visitors to Sri Lanka will have the opportunity to join the pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak, which is a sacred mountain to local Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Hindus. The majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists, which means that visitors will have the chance to observe Buddhist customs and mingle with the devotees at the temples and shrines. An interesting Buddhist temple in the main city of Colombo is the Gangaramaya Temple which boasts numerous engrossing features. A choice of accommodation to consider from which this temple would be within easy reach would be Mandarina Colombo, which also offers favourable Colombo hotel rates.
You will find that Sri Lanka is a delight for nature and wildlife lovers, with an array of splendid natural attractions. You will be able to enjoy experiences like whale watching, encounters with elephants and leopards at a nature sanctuary and an excursion into the Sinharaja Rainforest just to name a few. Sri Lanka contains a number of national parks where you will be able to observe some of the island nation’s mammals, birds and reptiles which is bound to be an unforgettable experience.
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.
