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It is worthy of note that an eyetooth remains the most significant religious symbol in Sri Lanka since Buddhism was first introduced to the Sinhalese in 250 B.C. This is no ordinary pointed conical tooth – it is believed to have belonged to Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise more popularly worshipped as the celestial Buddha. Its legendary power to bring rain to the land, made it the symbol of Sinhalese kingship, for whoever had the power to make the rain fall in the dry season and bring prosperity to the kingdom, had the legitimate right to rule the country.
The cause of wars between kingdoms, the sacred tooth relic was moved from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, on to India and back to Sri Lanka. Today, this national treasure is housed in the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, which has gained the reputation as one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world.
Aside from the Buddhist faith, which Sri Lanka inherited from India, exchanges between the two countries also brought with them the traditional caste system. Even monks are segregated into three nikayas or sects, according to the order of the Buddhist Sangha.
While Buddhism remains the predominant religion in the country today, Hinduism comes a close second, counting among its devotees both Jaffna Tamils and Indian Tamils. Most Sri Lankan Hindus are Shaivites, who pray only to god Shiva, ‘the destroyer’, as they believe strongly in the teaching of non-permanence in all life forms.
Over the centuries, Sri Lanka has become a melting pot of believers. You will meet Muslims who are descendants of Arab traders, “Burghers” who are the offspring of European colonialists and embrace Christianity, as well as age-old Veddha tribes. Interestingly, a small percentage of the population consists of gypsies – the Ahikuntakaya snake charmers, the Maddiliya monkey trainers and several groups specializing in the art of tattoo making. |
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 Discover Elephant CountryDiscover Elephant Country with a 3-night stay at Deer Park Hotel. Embark on a guided tour to Elephant Drive in Minneriva National Park as well as a guided cultural tour to Polonnaruwa.
Valid until 31 st October 2010 |
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 View MapsSituated on the banks of the Giritale Reservoir within the district capital of Polonnaruwa, five hours by road from the capital, Colombo, and Bandaranaike International Airport.  AnuradhapuraThe first capital of Sri Lanka – and remaining so for 1,400 years – Anuradhapura was abandoned and swallowed by the dry-zone jungle two centuries after Vijayabahu I had retaken the country and retained the Cholas capital at Polonnaruwa in the 11th Century.  DambullaAbout 12 miles from Sigiriya you’ll come to the Raja Maha Vihara, otherwise known as the Dambulla Cave Temple or Golden Temple. This is actually a series of five temples that finds its origin in the Anuradhapura period (1st Century B.C.)  KandyThe Hill Capital may be some distance from Deer Park Hotel, but what you can do is to stop by for half a day on your way back to Colombo for your flight home. As the last major capital of the Sinhala kings, Kandy is definitely a place not to be missed if you want your Sri Lanka trip to be complete.  Parakrama Samudra“Let not one drop of water reach the sea without first serving man.” These were the words of 12th Century King Parakramabahu I, who was responsible for one of the largest man-made reservoirs – the Parakrama Samudra, or Sea of King Parakrama. This astonishing tank is larger in size than even the Colo  PolonnaruwaAs early as the 7th Century, when Anuradhapura was still the capital, Sri Lankan kings had made Polonnaruwa their country retreat. With the Cholas’ conquest of Anuradhapura in the 11th Century, Polonnaruwa succeeded it as the capital and remained so for the next 200 years - even when Vijayabahu I ev  SigiriyaDesperation can also drive a man to greatness. It must have been a mixture of fear and guilt for having his own father slain and stealing the throne from right under his half brother's nose that motivated King Kasyapa to erect this magnificent fortress – 'Palace in the Sky' – in the 5th Century A.D.  Minneriya-Giritale National ParkA flapping sea of black invades the emerald Minneriya Tank, as a flock of two thousand cormorants nosedive for fish. Later, elephants trudge by, drinking from the same reservoir.  Wasgamuwa National ParkLong before wildlife conservation became fashionable, Sri Lanka already had areas of jungle marked out for conservation. One such case is that of the Wasgamuwa National Park, a portion of which was declared a Strict Nature Reserve as early as 1938.  Other National ParksSri Lanka is full of forests, and it is natural that as one of the pioneers of conservation the country contains more national parks, or nature reserves, than you have time to visit.  Sun & SeaAs the shimmering horizon disappears into the distant azure sky, tall gusts of waves surf towards the palm-fringed sandy beaches encircling Sri Lanka.  HistoryTaprobane, Serendib, Emerald Island and The Teardrop of India - Sri Lanka has earned many endearing monikers for its colorful past.  ReligionIt is worthy of note that an eyetooth remains the most significant religious symbol in Sri Lanka since Buddhism was first introduced to the Sinhalese in 250 B.C. This is no ordinary pointed conical tooth – it is believed to have belonged to Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise more popularly worshipped as  Tea & SpicesWhat does “The Hound of the Baskervilles” have to do with Ceylon tea? Read on.  WeatherSri Lanka is blessed with a tropical paradise climate. Most days are hot, humid and sunny with temperatures averaging between 27 ~ 31°C. A hat and sunscreen will be essential if you are planning to spend the day outdoors, whether romping around a hertitage site or lazing at the beach. |
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