Kurunegala
Kurunegala, the capital of Sri Lanka's North Western Province, was once known as Hasthishilapura or "elephant rock city," as it was once the royal capital of the country. Today, the province is home to a vast complex of ancient temples, forest monasteries, rock cave shelters, and natural tanks, all dating back to the medieval kingdom of Anuradhapura.
Visitors can spend a week exploring the region's awe-inspiring colossus Buddha statues and other figures of the Buddhist pantheon, such as the massive Sasseruwa Buddha statue and the Sylvan Forest monastery of Arankela.
While many historical sites in the interior of the Kurunegala district have been vandalized beyond recognition and left to decay in the jungle, some sites still retain their pristine glory. Arankele, an ancient sylvan forest monastery, was my first destination. This serene setting includes a large complex meditation hall, stone pathways, alms halls, and rock caves used by the meditating monks of the monastery.
Othe...
Visitors can spend a week exploring the region's awe-inspiring colossus Buddha statues and other figures of the Buddhist pantheon, such as the massive Sasseruwa Buddha statue and the Sylvan Forest monastery of Arankela.
While many historical sites in the interior of the Kurunegala district have been vandalized beyond recognition and left to decay in the jungle, some sites still retain their pristine glory. Arankele, an ancient sylvan forest monastery, was my first destination. This serene setting includes a large complex meditation hall, stone pathways, alms halls, and rock caves used by the meditating monks of the monastery.
Othe...
