Joanna James
Located on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, about a 1 hour and 38-minute drive away from Colombo, the city of Kalutara is a wonderful place to visit. Tourists flock to Kalutara to experience the beauty of the city's history, rich culture, and the charm of the pristine beaches here. If you are not quite sure of what to see and do in this part of the island read the list below for top places to visit.
The Kalutara Bodhiya a significant religious site for Buddhist devotees in Sri Lanka because of the ancient treasure that is planted upon its premises. It is said that the Bodhi Tree, spreading its branches wide on the grounds of the temple dates back to the 2nd century, which would be during the famous King Devanampiyatissa's time. It is one of the 32 saplings of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in India. Its convenient location by the main road makes it convenient for locals to visit often, therefore, you will see many Buddhist faithful paying homage by lighting lamps and keeping pooja.
This is one of the most stunning works of art in Kalutara and belonged to Mudaliyar Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena. He was a privileged man who studied overseas and wanted to build a mansion similar to what he had seen. This resulted in pieces of tiling and other fittings being imported from countries like Italy and Bermuda. The mansion is quite impressive with a total of 16 rooms, 34 windows which happen to be stained glass and as many as 99 doors! The story of the owner and his wife is quite sad, however, those who visit the place are sure to be left inspired.
This is quite a long stretch of beach which begins from Waskaduwa to Payagala and intersected with the Kalu River estuary. The sand is beige and seems to be a little darker moving closer to the estuary. Kalutara beach isn't a crowded one, therefore, it is perfect for romantic walks by sunset. One of the best beaches you ought to visit along this coast is Calido beach which is perfect for some quality family time with safe and shallow waters as well. There are also plenty of accommodation options by the beach including hotels like Turyaa Kalutara Hotel, perfect for a good stay.
If you are a history lover, then you are sure to love this attraction in Kalutara. The Fa Hien cave is named after an ancient Chinese monk who is said to have lived here during his travels in Sri Lanka. It is also a site where prehistoric artefacts like human bones, animal bones, hunting tools and more have been unearthed. Visiting Fa Hien caves is one of the most interesting things to do in Kalutara.
Yet another religious site in Kalutara, the temple was built in early times for those who gathered here to listen to the sermons by k Aluthgama Sangharatne who stayed at a hermitage in the jungle. Explore the floor to ceiling paintings and figures of Buddha inside the temple premises.
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.
