Welcome to Kataragama
This most holy of towns is a compelling mix of pomp and procession, piety and religious extravagance. Along with Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada), Kataragama is the most important pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka; a holy place for Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Veddah people.
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Kataragama activities
Viewing of Kandy Esala Perahara
The Esala Perahera in Kandy is celebrated to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic and the four ‘guardian’ Gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Goddess Pattini. The Kandy Maligawa Perahera is followed in order by those of the Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini ‘Devales’ (Temples dedicated to these Gods) which are situated in the vicinity of the Kandy Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth).After the Kandyan Kingdom fell to the British in 1815, the custody of the Tooth Relic was handed over to the Buddhist Clergy. In the absence of the King, a lay custodian called the Diyawadana Nilame was appointed to handle routine administrative matters. The purpose of the Kandy Esala Perahera Procession is to beseech blessings of the gods to obtain rain for the cultivation of crops and to enrich the lands of the kingdom.This ritual is performed by carrying the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha through the streets of the Kandy city which is done with exceptional panache. This is considered as one of the most beautiful festivals in Asia.The parade is split in 2. The Kumbal Perahera and the Randoli Perahera. The Kumbal Perahera takes place during the first 5 days of the festival. This gorgeous parade starts here exactly at the auspisious time set for that day. Legend has it that the first Kumbal Perahera is shown to infants to drive away any evil spells or spirits. In tradition the Kumbal Perahera does not expect a presence of the Nilame and the Tooth Relic (custodian of the Sacred tooth Relic), however the drummers and tuskers take part without any ceremonial costumes. The Randoli Perahera takes place during the last 5 days of the event. The Sacred Tooth Relic can be seen kept on an elephant back protected by the custodian during all 5 days of the parade. There are 4 main events dedicated to 4 hindu gods that takes part in the parade. This cannot be seen during the Kumbal Perahera. All the elephants are colorfully dressed and all the events take place through the night on the designated route around the Kandy City.
5-Day Sri Lanka Classic Tour
Meet your guide upon landing at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo for your 5-day tour of Sri Lanka. Travel by private vehicle to Kandy. Explore a spice garden and a batik factory before checking in at your hotel. In the evening, watch a Kandyan dance performance. Afterward, visit the Temple of the Tooth, home of a Buddhist tooth relic. Stay overnight at the Jasmine Hillhouse in Kandy.Begin the following day with breakfast before setting out on a Kandy city tour. Stop by the Royal Botanical Gardens. Depart Kandy and visit a tea factory en-route to Nuwara Eliya. There, see a local golf course, Victoria Park, and Gregory Lake. Spend the night at Thuruliya Lodge in Ramboda.After breakfast in the morning, depart to Kataragama, visiting Ravana Waterfalls on the way. Check in at Peacock Reach before embarking on a jeep safari in Yala National Park. At the conclusion of the safari, return to your hotel.Head out the following morning for the Hambantota salt plains. Continue to Weligama and pause to gaze at the area’s stilt fishermen. Drive to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the colorful old city of Galle. Journey on to Colombo, and proceed on a Colombo city tour. Stay at Fairview city hotel in Colombo for the night.Enjoy breakfast on your last morning, and then depart for the airport in time for your departure flight.
Yala National Park Private Tour with BBQ Dinner on the Beach
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Yala National Park, Sri LankaGet picked up from your Tissamaharama, Yala, Kataragama or Hambantota hotel. Hop into the Safari Jeep and travel to Yala National Park for an exciting game drive. Yala Park is situated in Sri Lanka's dry zone, made up of scrub jungles, water reservoirs, brackish lagoons, and riverine habitats. It has the highest population density of leopards in the world, and is also home to a herd of 300-350 elephants. As well as leopards and elephants, keep an eye out for animals including sloth bears, black-naped hares, spotted deer, sambar, hanuman langurs, toque monkeys, stripe-necked and ruddy mongooses, wild boar, and golden jackal. You may also see the enormous land and water monitors and, of course, marsh crocodiles. Get back into the Jeep and drive to a private beach, arriving at approximately 6:15pm. Here you have a couple of hours to explore, dip your toes in the cool water, and enjoy a 4-course barbeque dinner with a glass or two of wine. The beach is located in an exclusively private area and dinner is set up only for your group. At 8:30pm, the Jeep will take you back to your hotel in Tissamaharama or Yala, arriving at around 9pm.-------------------- ITINERARY--------------------2:30pm: Get picked up by a Safari jeep from your hotel in Tissamaharama or Yala and drive to Yala National Park for an exciting game drive. Yala Park is situated in the Dry Zone area of Sri Lanka, comprising of a range of habitats like scrub jungles, water reservoirs, brackish lagoons, and riverine habitats. Yala is known to have one of the highest leopard densities in the world, and its elephant herd consists of between 300-350 animals. This is the best park in the country to observe and photograph leopards, elephants, and mammals such as Sloth bears, Black-naped hare, Spotted deer, Sambar, Hanuman langur, Toque monkey, Stripe-necked and Ruddy mongoose, Wild boar, and Golden jackal. You're also likely to see the reptiles like the Land and Water Monitor lizard, along with the Marsh crocodile. 6:15pm: Travel to a private beach near Yala National Park for an unforgettable evening. Spend couple of hours relaxing on the beach accompanied by an included bottle of wine. The beach is located in a private area and dinner is set up only for your group. 7:00pm: Enjoy a 4-course BBQ dinner in front of a roaring beach bonfire. 8:30pm: Leave the beach and proceed to your hotel. 9:00pm: Arrive at your hotel.Duration: 6 hours
Ramayana trail tour Sri Lanka 05 days
Tour Itinerary in detail Day 1 Airport > Rumassala > Ussangoda > KataragamaArrival to Sri Lanka , Paging & Welcome by our office representative at the airport, (Refreshment can be arrange in a hotel near by to airport - on request) Proceed & Visit to Vibhishana temple in Kelaniya [01 & 1/2 hours] (30 Km) Proceed to Rumassala [03 hours] (151 Km) Visit Rumassala mountain & Galle Dutch fort, Proceed & visit to Ussangoda [103 Km] (2 & 1/2 hours) Proceed to Kataragama [2 hours] (64 KM) Day 2 Kataragama > Rawana waterfall > Diwurumpola > Seeta Eliya > NuwaraeliyaBreakfast in hotel Visit Kataragama temple Proceed to Ella [02 hours] (90 Km) Visit Ravana waterfall / Suggest to visit Ravana Cave Proceed & visit Diurumpola temple [02 hours] (40 Km) Proceed & visit Seetha amman temple [45 Min] (14 Km) Few hours for city tour in Nuwara eliya Visit Golfing, Race course, Gregory's lake, Single tree hill in Nuwara eliya Day 3 Nuwaraeliya > Hanuman temple > Kandy > SigiriyaBreakfast in hotel Proceed to Hanuman temple in Ramboda [1 & 1/2 hours] (27 KM) Visit Hanuman temple in Ramboda Proceed to Kandy [02 hours] (41 Km) City tour in Kandy - Visit Temple of tooth relic & royal palace, Upper lake view point, Art & craft, Gem & Jewelry, Silk & batik show rooms, Proceed to Sigiriya [95 Km] (03 & 1/2 hours) Day 4 Sigiriya > Koneshwaram > Shakti peetam > SigiriyaBreakfast in hotel Proceed to Koneshwaram temple in Trincomalee [01 & 1/2 hours] (100 Km) Visit Koneshwaram temple & Shakti peetam Afternoon proceed to Sigiriya [1 & 1/2 hours] (100 Km) Evening visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress (Ravana's palace) Day 5 Trincomalee > Manavari > Munneshwaram > AirportBreakfast in hotel Proceed to Munneshwaram temple [3 & 1/2 hours] (142 KM) Visit Munneshwaram temple in Chillaw Proceed to Manavari temple [15 Min] (10 Km) Visit Manavari temple Proceed to Airport [02 hours] (63 Km) (Refreshment can be arrange in a hotel near by to airport - on request) Reach to Airport before 02 hours to Departure flight Departure flight from Sri Lanka Departure points - We can drop you to Colombo airport for departure flight or hotel in Colombo/ Negombo/ Katunayake
8 Days of Classic Tour
Day 01 Upon landing at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, you will be met by our Tour Representative and receive a Garland of flowers. Then you will proceed to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to see Orphaned Elephants and their freedom project of activities point, After the activities.Head to Habarana where you will Check-In to your Hotel. You will spend the day, relaxing at your leisure. Day 2 After breakfast the next morning, you will visit the sacred city of Anuradhapura, followed by a visit to Mihintale in the afternoon. Afterwards, you will return back to the hotel in Sigiriya to spend the night. Day 3 After breakfast, you will visit and climb the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the go on a Village Safari.Next you will visit the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa to visit and sight-see landmark locations in Polonnaruwa. You will return back to your hotel in Sigiriya to spend the nightDay 4 After breakfast the next morning, you will leave for Kandy. On the way to Kandy you will visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. After this, you will explore a Tea Factory before arriving in Kandy. You will check in at the hotel in Kandy and leave in the evening to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) and also later enjoy a cultural Kandyan dance performance. You will spend the night at the hotel in Kandy. Day 5 After breakfast, you will go on a Kandy City Tour and go souvenir shopping during this. Then you will visit the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. Afterwards you will continue to Nuwara Eliya. You will stop to visit a tea factory on the way to Nuwara Eliya. Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya Day 6 After breakfast, Go on a City Tour in Nuwara Eliya and depart to Kataragama.On the way, we will be visiting the 26 foot (8-meter) Ravana waterfalls.Check in to your Hotel in Kataragama Or Tissamaharamaya to Overnight StayDay 7 Early Morning Jungle Safari at Yala National Park and then head to Mirissa. On the way, we will visit the Hambantota Salterns and Stilt Fisherman at Weligama, followed by the Galle Fort. Once we reach Mirissa you will check-in to a hotel there and spend the night. Day 8 There is no itinerary planned for the day. After breakfast at the hotel, we will be departing for Bandaranaike International Airport in time to catch your flight (at least 2-3 hours before your flight), concluding the end of this tour.
4 Days Guided Tours in Sri Lanka For 5 Passengers Group. Galle, Mirrissa & Yala
ItineraryDay 1: Galle - Sri LankaStop At: Galle Fort, Galle, Galle District, Southern ProvinceDutch Fort as it is also known as a fortification first built by the Portuguese on the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. It was built in the late 16th century, were quite basic. However, the fort underwent extensive modifications in the 17th century by the Dutch, making it one of the most important archaeological, architectural and historic monuments to illustrate the European influence in South East Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. According to a statement by UNESCO, the site was recognised as a World Heritage Site for its unique exposition of an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and traditions. Duration: 1 hourStop At: Sea Turtle Hatchery, Ambalangoda, Galle District, Southern ProvinceThe "Sea Turtle Farm & Hatchery" is a nonprofitable organization which is maintained for the survival of Sea Turtles for the next generation. The "Turtle Farm" is situated in Habaraduwa (southern part of Sri Lanka - Galle District) near to the beautiful beach. That is 5m from the Galle main road. The centre has released more than 500,000 Sea Turtles to the ocean from the beginning.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna, Galle District, Southern ProvinceThe Beach takes no back seat to any other in the world. It is a stunning tropical beach. The Beach is enclosed by a headland on the other side too. The entire stretch of beach is well sheltered by a sweep of palm-fringed land right behind it. And well protected too: the beach enclosed by double reef breaks down the impact of the waves of Indian Ocean to make it ideal for safe swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving & even for you to learn surfing.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Madu River, Balapitiya, Southern ProvinceMadu River is situated in Balapitiya, along with the country’s southern coast, within the Galle District of the southern Province of Sri Lanka. It opens to the Indian Ocean Madu lagoon is a very wide and a beautiful lagoon in Sri Lanka. The bio-diversity of the Madu River is of monumental signification when considering the wide ranges of aquatic and avian life as well as wetland dwelling amphibians, reptiles, mammals that inhabit the environs of this natural treasure. A total of 11 species of agnostic molluscs and 14 land dwelling molluscs are found in this system. 70 species of fish, 31 types of reptiles, and 50 kinds of butterflies are just some of the colourful array of wildlife that inhabits this abundantly bustling Eco-system. Bird watchers will be pleased to know that 111 species of bird have been identified in the mangrove formed environs of the river, and has been known to host several types of migratory birds. Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Galle National Museum, Galle, Galle District, Southern ProvinceIt was first opened to the public on 9 May 1992 and is located in a 1671 Dutch Warehouse above the Old Gate of Galle Fort. The impact of the 26 December 2004 tsunami, most of the exhibitions were flood damaged and the majority of maritime archaeological artefacts were lost. Under Sri Lanka – Netherlands Cultural Co-operation Program, the Royal Government of the Netherlands provided financial assistance for reconstruction of the Maritime Museum. After 3 years period of reconstruction, the Maritime Museum was re-opened to the public.Duration: 2 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: Mirissa - Sri LankaStop At: Mirissa Beach, Mirissa, Southern ProvinceBlue whales are the largest creatures on earth, measuring up to 30 meters in length, and luckily enough for you, they live only a few miles off the South Coast of Sri Lanka. The art to spotting the whales comes down to mastering their breathing behaviour. Whales are mammals so they have lungs instead of fish gills for breathing. Therefore, they cannot breathe underwater and need to come up for air.Blue whales can hold their breath underwater for an average 30 minutes before they have to surface for air. They don’t have a nose and can’t breathe through their mouth so rely on their blow-holes. When they surface, they spout the air (and lots of water with it) out of their blow-holeDuration: 4 hoursStop At: Hikkaduwa Beach, Hikkaduwa, Galle District, Southern ProvinceSnorkelling - Optional Duration: 3 minutesNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 3: Yala Safari - Sri LankaStop At: Yala National Park, Sri LankaOffering you a Bazaar of Opportunities to spot a diversity of wildlife, Yala national park is a perfect getaway for a complete change of scenery of your daily lifestyle. Reputed as the national park with the highest concentration of leopards in Sri Lanka, these lazy yet ferocious predators areThe main highlight of a Yala safari.Presenting you fierce leopards throughout the park saturated with thorny shrubs, tall trees, scenic lagoons and golden sand dunes, January to July is the season, one can catch the most leopard sightings.Duration: 6 hoursStop At: Kataragama Temple, Kataragama, Uva ProvinceAncient Temple Duration: 3 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 4: Colombo - Sri LankaStop At: Colombo Fort, Colombo, Western ProvinceShopping ,Street food and many more Duration: 5 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.