Joanna James
43 kilometres south of Colombo is the small beach town of Kalutara — not exactly a top choice among the tourists to the island nation, which is a shame as the city is blessed with culture, heritage and most of all, alluring shores. Get off the beaten track and savour Kalutara's untouched wonders.
Dating back to the early 1900s, the architecturally magnificent Richmond Castle was, back in the day, the home to the local Mudaliyar, Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena. The Mudaliyar was keen on building a mansion that immediately stood out from the rest of the structures in the vicinity, thus, it was decided to adopt the Edwardian design the building wears to date. It's not only the striking mansion itself that awaits the castle visitors, but also the elaborate gardens and the breathtaking view of Kalu Ganga river from the site.
Hidden amidst the lush greenery of Kalutara, Fa Hien Caves is more than just a natural attraction and holds a crucial historical significance to the Indian Ocean island nation. Fa Hien Caves — or Pahiyangala, as it is known locally — is named after a Chinese travelling monk, who according to a local legend, had allegedly inhabited the caves during his travels, although there's no archaeological or historical evidence supporting this fact. Besides the treasure trove of historic remains, the caves treat the tourists to Kalutara for a dose of incredible adventures.
If it weren't for the golden-hued shores of Kalutara, the city would be no way near in tourism as it is today, making it a must to have at least one stretch of beach on your Kalutara itinerary. Blessed with turquoise blue waters, pristine golden sand and complemented by some gorgeous scenery, Calido Beach is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular beaches in the city. Unwind under swaying palms, sip tropical cocktails, and bask in the sun until the tranquil sunset bids you farewell for the day.
Just south of the iconic Kalutara bridge is one of the most important places of worship in the island nation of Sri Lanka, the sacred Kalutara Bodhiya. The Buddhist temple is best known for housing one of Buddhists' most sacred and oldest planted trees in Sri Lanka which dates all the way back to the 2nd century BC and for featuring a hollow Buddhist stupa, which is one of the handfuls existing in the world.
Undeniably one of the most tranquil and serene attractions in Kalutara, Kalu Ganga satisfies the interests of adventurers seeking a bit of fun and thrills as well as mellow folks looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, making it one of the best things to do in Kalutara. Get your fill of magnificent south coast nature and retreat to one of the finest hotels and resorts in town the likes of Turyaa Kalutara Hotel.
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.
