Joanna James
Feel like the monotonous city life with and the weariness of waking up each day and heading to work is taking its toll, then what you need is a fabulous vacation to refresh your mind and come back better than ever. Boasting golden beaches fringed with green palms and plenty of natural attractions, Kalutara is also dotted with a few remnants of the colonial era which makes it a place that serves all tastes and an enchanting holiday destination.
This is one of the 4 waterfalls that are placed in the western province. Making your way to the waterfall is quite like a treasure hunt with much to see. It is certainly a journey that allows one to experience all that Kalutara has to offer in just one activity. Begin your hunt by taking the Katukurunda - Matugama road and heading over to Thudugala junction. From here take a tuk-tuk for Rs.300/= to the Thudugala rubber estate. Here’s where your walk begins for 300 m through the estate. Follow the sound of the loud roar of water and there you’ll find a two-tiered waterfall gushing into a pool surrounded by lush greenery. Magical indeed!
This remarkable manse was erected in the 1900s Padikara Mudali Nanayakkara Rajawasala Appuhamilage Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena. He was the son of an affluent planter. The castle still stands on a hill in an estate by the side of the Kalutara Palatota road. This work of genius is a building with 2 storeys, 34 windows and 99 doors. Precise carvings bring about grandness to the castle. The enormous garden at Richmond Castle has been beautifully landscaped and well maintained with bright flowering plants.
As it goes, Fa Hien Caves in Yatagampitiya is one of Asia’s oldest prehistoric sites. It is certainly a marvellous site that the history lover would be itching to visit. Inside these caves, long ago a local archaeologist discovered something amazing. He had already known that a Chinese monk spent a long period of time, meditating inside the cave. He began his excavation and found the remains of humans that were more than 37,000 years old. But that was not all, tools, and weapons utilized by ancient hums were also found.
Just an 8-minute drive away from Turyaa Kalutara which is one of the hotels in Kalutara, this temple is one of the main attractions here. The temple is of great significance to the locals as a sapling of the ancient sacred Bodhi Tree in India has been planted here. The tree is now huge and is greatly renovated by the Buddhist people. Inside the great white stupa is a glorious statue of Lord Buddha.
Unlike any other monastery, keeping as close to nature as possible, the Bodhinagala Forest Hermitage is located toward Ingiriya in Dombagaskanda forest reserve. This is known to be one of the most loved birdwatching sights in Sri Lanka. Look out for indigenous species like Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Layard's Parakeet, Green-Billed Coucal and much more.
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.
