Anastasia Smith
Kalutara is located in the Western Province and has some incredible beaches and sites to see and explore. From beaches to religious sites and colonial mansions, there is something for everyone in Kalutara.
Made during the 1900s, the elegant Richmond Castle belonged to mudaliyar Don Arthur De Silva ( a local chieftain). Currently, visitors can enter its premises and enjoy the beauty of the house and its charming gardens. The impressive colonial house overlooks stunning vistas of the countryside bordering the Kalu Ganga and is the ideal place to spend a lazy afternoon in Kalutara.
This Bodhi Tree (Ficus Religiosa) is one of the 32 saplings taken from the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura and planted during the reign of the first Buddhist King of Sri Lanka, Devanampiyatissa. The Kalutara Bodhi tree and its Temple is an iconic landmark in the city and is visible towards the right flank of the Kalutara Bridge overlooking the Kalu Ganga (black river).
At this site, you can encounter pre-historic caves inhabited by Fa-Hien, a 3rd-century CE travelling Buddhist monk. These large caves are dated to prehistorical times and are an ongoing excavation site. Several skeletal remains and other artefacts have been uncovered, suggesting ancient human settlements nearby.
Being a coastal town you will encounter many beaches in Kalutara, out of these a lesser visited beach is Katukurunda. Its pristine golden sands, blue coastline and swaying coconut trees will beckon visitors at first sight. This near-secluded beach is just the place to settle into a romantic sunset.
Just 40 minutes away from Kalutara in the town of Beruwala is Brief Garden. This beautiful garden and manor was the home of Bevis Bawa, a planter whose brother was the renowned Sri Lankan architect, Geoffery Bawa. This extensive garden inside a rubber estate stretches out for about 5 acres and is filled with exquisitely manicured gardens separated into sections. You will come across many curious sculptures beautifully integrating into its lush environment.
The stretch of beach near Kalutara seldom gets filled with tourists like the more popular beaches in the south. However, it's also not so remote that you won't be able to discover some nice restaurants. If you are looking for accomodation, hotels near Wadduwa in Sri Lanka can be an ideal place to base your stay as you explore Kalutara. The likes of The Blue Water Hotel and Spa are among the best places available.
Among the most well-known beaches in the area is Calido Beach. The famous Kalu Ganga originating from Sri Pada (Adam's peak) falls into the sea from this location. Its water is shallow and gushes in gentle waves, making it ideal for a refreshing swim and perfect for young children with its mild waves.
Another historically significant temple in Kalutara is Asokaramaya Temple, built during the 1870s. You can encounter beautiful temple architecture, sculpture, artwork and paintings, for which the temple is renowned.
