Joanna James
Located not so away from Colombo, but blessed with an authentic vibe, Kalutara is a coastal city in Sri Lanka that is equally popular among locals and tourists. The beach is not the only attraction here, there are quite a lot! Let this article help you to know about a few of these main attractions.
If you have selected a hotel in Kalutara, Sri Lanka for your stay the likes of Mermaid Hotel & Club, Kalutara Viharaya is the first landmark you will come across on your way as soon as you enter the city limits of Kalutara from Colombo. This stupa takes an unusual shape when compared with most of the stupas you find in Sri Lanka. It takes a hollow shape, and once you go inside, you can see many murals as well as statues.
Located right opposite the side where the stupa lies, is the Kalutara Bodhiya which is also one of the most respected places by the Buddhists. This sacred Bo Tree dates back to the 2nd century and has a close relationship with the sacred Bo Tree you find in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka (Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi). Those who come to visit the Kalutara Viharaya, never forget to pay their respect to the Kalutara Bodhiya as well.
This is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka if you want to explore the pre-historic civilizations that date back to over 30,000 years. Fa Hien Caves is a natural attraction, and this has been home to the Chinese travelling monk 'Fa Hien' once. Human fossils, as well as those of floral species, have been found during excavations, and strong shreds of evidence also have been found to imply that there has been an advanced technology used by the pre-historic man.
Richmond Castle is not a palace once owned by a Sinhalese King, but a residential mansion of a 'Mudaliyar' (a wealthy person in the society) built in the early 1900s. He wanted his house to stand unique when compared with the rest of the houses in the area, so he decided to adopt an Edwardian design. However, the story of the Richmond Castle and the Mudaliyar family is a tragedy and you will get to know it once you visit the place.
Among the great sights, you see from Kalutara Viharaya is the picturesque Calido Beach. It is indeed one of the most unique beaches in Sri Lanka, not actually connected to the mainland. It is the point of land which separates the Kalu Ganga (a river) and the Indian Ocean, and thanks to the booming tourism industry in this area, it's home today for several restaurants especially serving the tourists. Calido Beach is also known for great sunset views. You may also engage in some water sports if you get the chance to visit this beach in the daytime. It'll be fun and memorable- so, miss it not when in Kalutara!
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