Ceylon Luxury » Buddhism

Bask In The Ruins Of Anuradhapura

georgie — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 12:34:18 +0000

Travelers who have a sense of history or at least appreciate the cultures of the past will definitely want to pay a visit to Anuradhapura. This city used to be the capital of Sri Lanka – way back in the ancient times. Today, it is best known for its ruins, which are quite well-preserved.

The city is located about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Colombo, which is the current capital of Sri Lanka. From Colombo, you can just head up north and you’ll eventually hit Anuradhapura. Aside from its popularity with visitors, Anuradhapura holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That in itself should tell you that it is worth visiting.

Let’s take a quick look at the history behind this place. Historical records and archeological data are conflicting as to the founding of the city. The former states that it was founded in the 5th century BC. However, archeological findings indicate that the city has been in existence as early as the 10th century BC. In any case, they both point to one thing: this city is quite ancient and is definitely steeped in history.

In the 4th century, it became the capital of Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura held this status until the 11th century AD. More than being the capital of the country, Anuradhapura was considered to be one of the foremost cities in the South Asian region during its prime. This city is also considered to be sacred by the Buddhist religion, hence the monasteries that can be found in the area.

Today, the ancient capital is in ruins, although the ruins are in very good condition, making Anuradhapura perfect for history lovers. There is a lot to see in Anuradhapura, first and foremost of which is the Bodhi tree. It is, in fact, one of the most sacred items in the whole country.

Story has it that this tree – which could very well be the oldest in the world – comes from the actual Bodhi tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment. Today, there is a wall around the tree, which was built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha.

Visitors should not miss Ruwanwelisaya, which is a stupa. A stupa is translated into English as heap, and it is actually a structure resembling a mound. Usually, a saint or some other religious person is buried underneath and the people use the stupa as a place of worship. This stupa is an impressive compound with stone elephants all around.

Another must visit is Kuttam Pokuna, which is generally considered to be the most impressive example of a bathing tank. There are actually two tanks or ponds which are separated by a garden. The walls of the ponds are covered with granite slabs and the entire area is covered by walls as well. The ponds differ in size and depth, with the smaller one measuring in at 91 feet long, 51 feet wide, and 14 feet deep.

These are only a few of the attractions that you can see in Anuradhapura.

There is no doubt about it – these ruins can bring an extra dimension to your visit to Sri Lanka.

The Esala Perahera: A Spectacular Festival in Kandy

Antonella — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:38:33 +0000

The Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and most amazing Buddhist events you can still see today in Sri Lanka. Imagine a colorful display of elephants dressed in full regalia, men cracking whips, dancing, making music, rituals, fireworks and more….culminating in the final night when the longest and most splendid procession takes place.

The tradition goes back as far as the 3rd Century BC, as a means of asking the gods for rainfall – the same reason it takes place today. Another reason for the celebrations (which has no less than five separate peraheras- or parades) is for the local people to honour the sacred relic from the Temple of the Tooth, which was once only seen by the kings. Today though, it is a replica casket paraded through the streets as the relic is no longer allowed to leave the holy temple.

Although I haven’t been to the Perahera myself (I promise myself I will next year!), I have heard that it is indeed an awesome show. A good friend reported it was the most thrillingly amazing festival he had seen in his life, which says a lot considering that he is an octogenarian who has traveled the world extensively!

The Esala Perahera is translated from Sinhalese as “Procession of the Full Moon of Esala”, and takes place annually in July/August. This year, the festival takes place on July 26th to August 5th, 2009, and while the event is free, we highly recommend that you book your hotel and plane/train tickets early as it probably the most popular events in Sri Lanka! If you haven’t yet, you could try some websites like Jetwing Travels or Last Minute.com. Read their description of the parade- wonderful!:

The procession includes fire-juggling acrobats, sumptuously decorated elephants, traditional dancers, oboe-tooting musicians, banners, palanquins, whip crackers, torch bearers and thousands of barefoot pilgrims and swordsmen….The action is made even more mesmerising because it happens at night. The old cannon booms after dusk and the Perahera (paraders) take to the streets for ten nights, with the parades growing ever longer each night until the final night of pageantry, when the parade is at its finest.

For a good collection of photos to see more of this fantastic event, please click here.

Enjoy a Five Star Experience at Elephant Corridor

Antonella — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:32:27 +0000

One of the finest things you can do when visiting Sri Lanka on a luxury tour is to head up north to Elephant Corridor. It’s an experience that you won’t forget and is truly “five star” (so often said…so rarely true!). The hotel is located in Sigiraya, which is in the “cultural triangle” or the “central region” of Sri Lanka, about a four drive north from Colombo.

Surrounded by thousands of acres of jungle, the Elephant Corridor Luxury Boutique Hotel offers you scintillating views of the nearby picturesque lake, the “Kandalama Hills” and the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Sigiriya is known for its ancient monastery, a World Heritage Site: the “Mount of Remembrance“:

The enchanting Rock Fortress of Sigiriya is an impregnable fortress, a monastic retreat, and a rock art gallery. Built in 5th century AD to fend off a feared invasion, it is situated atop a 200m (656ft) high rock, and at the height of its glory must have been akin to a European chateau plonked on top of Uluru. There are water gardens, 5th century rock paintings of well endowed damsels, a 1000-year-old graffiti wall recording visitors impressions of the pin-ups, a couple of enormous stone lion paws and tremendous views.

The boutique hotel that is Elephant Corridor, while quite Aman in concept, is truly unique. Each room offers completely individual accommodation that is completely private and away from other guests. The rooms are not so much “rooms” as “jungle huts”- each with private plunge pools, private gardens and dining facilities where one can enjoy a private barbecue. All 21 suites have fantastic views, as well a lot of very nice touches: kimonos, hammocks, Egyptian cotton bed linen, breakfast-in-bed-trays, easel with papers and colours, allergy free pillows, down pillows, Egyptian cotton towels, designer vanity units and even binoculars. There is also special accommodation for honeymooners and those on a romantic getaway in the honeymoon suite.

With its all-suite concept of luxury accommodation, the Elephant Corridor Luxury Boutique Hotel, Sigiriya, allows you the luxury of relaxation in absolute privacy. Pamper yourself by dining on a private terrace with garden. Take a dip in your own private plunge pool. Unwind with a drink at your en-suite bar. Or, perhaps, just lie in bed and gaze across the jungle plain at the Sigiriya rock on the horizon.

Elephant Corridor also has a wonderful spa, where guests can avail of a “Personalized Intensive Regeneration Programme“, based on “General Principals Of Ayurveda and Panchakarm“. The dining at the hotel is also excellent- aside from the aforementioned in-suite dining, there is also a very tasty all-round menu at the Ambrosia Restaurant, as well as light dishes and drink at the “Ebony & Ivory” jungle bar and the “Fables & Tales” Library bar.

Of course one doesn’t go to Elephant Corridor just to stay inside all day and one the main positives of staying there are the many activities and excursions on offer. These include bird watching, nature walks, elephant rides, archery and some adventurous tours to the local Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, the Ritigala Ancient Gardens, the Golden Temple at Dambulla and of course to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

We guarantee that we will never forget your stay at Elephant Corridor- it is truly enchanting and the staff will look after your every need (you will have a private butler) from the moment you arrive to the moment that you leave. “How much will it cost?” we hear you asking. Rates are from approx. $450 – $500 per night. Do email the hotel first, though, to see if you can get a special rate. You will need at least three nights to really take full advantage of all that is on offer.

Welcome to Ceylon Luxury!

Antonella — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:43:41 +0000

Welcome to Ceylon Luxury! Sri Lanka (or Ceylon as it was once known) is considered by many to be the most beautiful country in the world. Stunning beaches, breathtaking mountain views, lush tea plantations, tranquil lakes, tropical forests and the list goes on….

The country lies next to the Maldives, which arguably has the best beaches of any country, and Kerala, the Southern state of India, which is also becoming an increasingly popular travel destination. Sri Lanka has a colorful past and is full of many natural resources, most notably its tea, coffee and spices. It is a predominantly Buddhist country (Theravada- early Buddhism) with an ancient culture that can still be seen today in many of the wonderful temples, monuments and sites. Sri Lanka was colonized by the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British before achieving independence in 1948. This rich and diverse history lends itself to a very unique culture which one can see in the architecture, arts and crafts. Sri Lanka is also a home to ayurvedic medicine, which makes it especially appealing for those Westerners who believe in holistic health techniques.

Couple these facts with the most charming, kind and hospitable people you are ever likely to encounter on your travels and you have a paradise just waiting to be visited.

However, owing to the continuing problems with the civil war in the North of the country, where government troops battle Tamil Tiger rebels, tourism is at an all time low in the country. Despite the reality of it being perfectly safe to travel to Sri Lanka in the central and southern regions, the constant bad news coming out in the media is keeping the mainstream tourists away. The situation wasn’t helped in December, 2004 when the Tsunami hit the West Coast of Sri Lanka very severley and the country has yet to properly recover from this terrible disaster.

Ironically, this situation of negative publicity has opened up a different area of travel in Sri Lanka- one of luxury. This niche is filled by the discerning traveler who can afford to spend that little bit extra and doesn’t pay attention to the worries of the mass tourism industry. Furthermore, this type of luxury traveler is rather attracted by the exclusivity and personal touch that one gets by being one of the special few. It’s like a “private club” growing in the middle of Asia and the “who’s who” are being catered for by those who know how to provide service in style.

Out of this rapidly growing luxury travel market in Sri Lanka are being born the most luxurious and exclusive boutique hotels, villas, private islands, spas, restaurants, shops, specialty tours and many other aspects of luxe travel.

It is this area of luxury travel in Sri Lanka that this blog is about. We want to share first-hand with readers our knowledge of traveling the country in style and hope that we can convert a few to visit this unique island paradise. We will be reviewing and featuring every aspect of luxe travel in Sri Lanka, whether that be the hotels, private villas, restaurants or tour companies. And we won’t be just regurgitating what you can find elsewhere on the web, as we actually know Sri Lanka intimately and regularly visit the place ourselves!

Finally, we’re not out to make our millions from this blog and so won’t be filling it up with spammy affiliate links and ads. Having said this, we are probably able help you if you are serious about visiting the country as we know many of the hotel owners, etc- so can likely get you a good deal. Therefore, do contact us if you would like our help or advice.