Sri Lanka Pilgrimage

 07 Days / 06 Nights

DAY 01 (AIRPORT - ANURADHAPURA APPROX 02 ½ HRS DRIVE) :
Arrival to Sri Lanka, you'll be met by a Tangerine Tours representative on Arrival and transfer to sacred city of Anuradhapura, Which is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Overnight stay at Anuradhapura  

DAY 02 (ANURADHAPURA SIGHT SEEING - SIGIRIYA APPROX 02 ½ HRS DRIVE):
After Breakfast Anuradhapura sightseeing, There is much to see at Anuradhapura, including the sacred Bodhi tree, eight major palaces, monasteries and monuments. The Sri Mahabodhiya is perhaps the oldest living tree in the world. Around 245 BC, SanghamittaTheri brought with her a branch of the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightment. The tree was planted on a high terrace about 21 feet (6.5 m) above the ground and surrounded by railings. Today, the tree is one of the most sacred relics in Sri Lanka, respected by Buddhists all over the world. A wall was built around the tree during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha, to protect it from wild elephants. Ruwanwelisaya. After defeating the Tamil king Elara, King Dutugemunu of Sri Lanka built this magnificantstupa. The stupa is known as Ruwanwelisaya, Mahathupa, SwarnamaliChaitya and RathnamaliDagaba. The compound is supported by stone elephants, and the surrounding wall is decorated with 1,900 figures of elephants - 475 on each side. Successive kings added to the palace over the years. Thuparamaya. Thera Mahinda himself introduced Theravada Buddhism and also chetiya worship to Ceylon. At his request King Devanampiyatissa built Thuparamaya in which was enshrined the collarbone of the Buddh aand is considered as the first dagaba built in Sri Lanka, after the introduction of Buddhism. This chetiya was built in the shape of a heap of paddy. This dagaba was destroyed from time to time. During the reign of King Agbo II it was completely destroyed and the King restored it. What we have today is the construction of the dagaba, done in 1862 AD. As it is today, after several renovations, in the course of the centuries, the monument has a diameter of 59 ft (18 m), at the base. The dome is 11 feet 4 inches (3.45 m) in height from the ground, 164½ ft (50.1 m) in diameter. The compound is paved with granite and there are 2 rows of stone pillars round the dagaba. During the early period vatadage was built round the dagaba. Lovamahapaya is situated between Ruvanveliseya and Sri Mahabodiya. It is also known as the Brazen Palace or Lohaprasadaya. In ancient times the building included the refectory and the uposathagara. ( Uposatha house). There was also a simamalake where the sangha assembled on poya days to recite the formula of the confessional]. The famous Lohaprasada built by King Dutugemunu described as an edifice of nine storeys, was a building of this class. One side of the building was 400 ft (120 m) in length. As the roof was covered with tiles made of bronze, this was known as the Brazen Palace. There are 40 rows, each row consisting of 40 stone pillars and a total of 1600 stone pillars were used for the building. It is believed that it took 6 years for the construction of the building and the plan was brought from the heavens. The building was completely destroyed during the reign of King Saddhatissa. AbhayagiriDagaba. King Valagamba ascended the throne in 103 AD. He waged war with the Tamils and was defeated. When he fled, a Nigantha named Giri shouted words of derisive mockery at him. Later the king collected an army attacked the Tamils by slaying the last of their leaders, and recovered the throne he had lost. It is said that he demolished Nigantaramaya (the temple of the Niganthas) and built the AbhayagiriVihara in the same premises. Shortly after this event, the monks of the Mahavihara took disciplinary action against one of the bhikkus of the AbhayagiriVihara, for violating a rule of the vinaya. Thereafter the bhikkhus of the AbhayagiriVihara founded a separate sect there. King Valagamba's reign is marked by an important event - the first schism in Buddhism in Ceylon. Most learned bhikkhus lives in AbhayagiriVihara. It consisted of a large library. It is recorded that during the reigns of King Voharakatissa and King Gothabhaya this library was destroyed and the heretical monks driven away. King Parakramabahu renovated AbhayagiriVihara, then the height is said to have been 140 cubit]s. In the year 1875, AbhayagiriVihara which had a diameter of 307 feet (94 m) at its base, stood to a height of 231 feet (70 m). The relics of the Buddha are said to have been enshrined in a figure of a bull made out of thick gold. The most magnificent specimen of bathing tanks is the pair known as KuttamPokuna at Anuradhapura, near AbhayagiriVihara. The garden which separates these 2 ponds is 18½ ft (5.6 m). The larger of this pair is 132 ft in length and 51 ft in breadth (40 by 15.5 m), while the smaller is 91 feet long, the breadth is the same (28 by 15.5 m). The depth of the smaller pond is 14 feet (4.3 m) and the larger pond is 18 feet (5.5 m). The sides and the bottom of the ponds were faced with well cut granite slabs. Round the pond is a magnificent wall. Leading to the pond are a beautiful flight of steps on both sides, and decorated with "punkalas" and scroll design. There were underground ducts bringing water into these ponds and others emptying them. A wall is built to enclose the ponds, and inside it is a small compound. Jetavanarama. King Mahasen (273-301 AD) built this largest stupa in Ceylon, and possibly the whole world. A part of a sash tied by the Buddha is believed to be enshrined here. Its height is said to be 400 feet (120 m). This is considered as the largest stupa in the whole world. This stupa belongs to the Sagalika sect. The compound of the stupa is 8 acres (3 ha). One side of the stupa is 576 feet (176 m) in depth. The 4 flight of steps at the four sides is 28 feet (8.5 m) in depth. The doorpost to the shrine which is situated at the courtyard is 27 feet (8 m) in height. It is a foot (0.3 m) underground. There are some stone inscriptions in the courtyard with the names of donors inscribed. MirisavetiStupa. King Dutugamunu after defeating King Elara, built the MirisavetiStupa. After placing the Buddha relics in the scepter, he had gone to Tisawewa for a bath leaving the scepter. After the bath he returned to the place where the scepter was placed, and it is said that it could not be moved. The stupa was built in the place where the scepter stood. It is also said that he remembered that he partook a chilly curry without offering it to the sangha. In order to punish himself he built the MirisavetiyaDagaba. The extent of this land is about 50 acres (20 ha). Although the king Kasyapa I and Kasyapa V renovated this, from time to time it was dilapidated. What stands today is the renovation done by the cultural Triangle Fund. Lankarama was built by King Valagamba, in an ancient place at Galhebakada. Nothing is known about the ancient form of the stupa, and later this was renovated. The ruins show that there are rows of stone pillars and it is no doubt that there has been a house built encircling the stupa (vatadage) to cover it. The round courtyard of the stupa seems to be 10 feet (3 m) above the ground. The diameter of the stupa is 45 feet (14 m). The courtyard is circular in shape and the diameter is 1332 feet (406 m). Isurumuniya is situated near Tisawewa and was built by King Devanampiyatissa to house 500 newly-ordained children of high caste. King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD) renovated this viharaya and named it as "Boupulvan, KasubgiriRadmahaVehera". This name is derived from names of his 2 daughters and his name. There is a viharaya connected to a cave and above is a cliff. A small stupa is built on it. It can be seen that the constructional work of this stupa belong to the present period. Lower down on both sides of a cleft, in a rock that appears to rise out of a pool, have been carved the figures of elephants. On the rock is carved the figure of a horse. The carving of Isurumuniya lovers on the slab has been brought from another place and placed it there. A few yards away from this vihara is the MagulUyana. The ancient MagulUyana is situated close to IsurumuniVihara and Tissawewa and contains several ponds. There are remains of small cells, seats made of stone steps, and taps of aesthetic sense. According to legend it is believed that Prince Saliya met Asokamala in this garden. The largest pond in this garden is 31 x 55 ft (9.5 x 17 m) in length and breadth. This is not a place of worship. [edit] Vessagiri About half a mile (1 km) to the south of Isurumuniya is situated Vessagiri on a mountains region. Scattered are 23 caves made of stone. Above the caves are inscribed the names of donors. These are the oldest inscriptions in Ceylon written in Brahmi script. Samadhi Statue, in the Mahamevuna Park, is one of the best pieces of sculpture on the site. The statue is 8 feet (2.4 m) in height and made of granite and the Dhyana mudra is symbolished - The posture of meditation in which Buddha sits in the cross-legged position with upturned palms, placed one over the other on the lap. [edit] Toluwila Statue Which has a close resemblance to the Samadhi statue at Anuradhapura, was found among the ruins in a temple at Toluwila in Anuradhapura. It is 5'9" (1.75 m) in height. The gap between the knees is 5'9" (1.75 m). The width between the shoulders is 3'5" (1.04 m). At present this statue is placed near the main entrance to the Colombo Museum. In the sacred city of Anuradhapura and in the vicinity are a large number of other ruins. These have not been identified properly and many have been destroyed either by Tamil invaders or by vandals. Neither tourists nor pilgrimshavepaid much attention to these ruins and information regarding this is meager.After Anuradhapura Sightseeing transfer to Sigiriya / DambullaOvernight stay at Sigiriya / Dambulla  

DAY 03 (SIGIRIYA - POLONNARUWA - DAMBULLA) :
After Breakfast set off to discover the 8th wonder of the world - the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Dating back to the 5th Century A.D, this astounding 'city' on the summit of a high outcrop was the royal citadel of King Kassapa for over 18 years. A miraculous feat of artistry and engineering, its unique features and exquisite frescoes continue to amaze all who visit it, even today. Thereafter excursion to Polonnaruwa for Sightseeing Many of the finest monuments at Polonnaruwa were constructed in the mid-12th century under Parakramabahu. Among these are: The late 12th century saw the construction of the RankotVihara, an enormous stupa measuring 175 meters in diameter and 55 meters in height. Its plan and dimensions are reminiscent of the dagabas of Anuradhapura. After PolonnaruwSightseeing transfer to Dambulla / Sigiriya Overnight stay at Sigiriya / Dambulla  

DAY 04 (SIGIRIYA - DAMBULLA - KANDY 03 HRS RS DRIVE):
After Breakfast wards, leave for the hill capital of Kandy, En route visit Dambulla cave temple Famed for their exquisite painted ceilings and statues - over 130 of them, the temple complex comprises five caves, some dating back to the 1st century B.C. And Visit MataleAluvihare (Aluwihare), which has the renovated ruins of ancient shrines carved out of huge boulders. In the first and second century BC, the site was associated with King VattagaminiAbhaya (103-77BC). The Mahavansa (Buddhist Chronicle of the island) was inscribed here in Pali. Visitors to the temple today can enjoy a demonstration of how the ancient Palmyra palm strips was prepared. Evening: Round off your day with a cultural show, where the vibrant costumes and pulsating rhythms of traditional dance forms from centuries old rituals will enthrall you. Overnight stay at Kandy  

 DAY 05 (KANDY): 
After Breakfast visitTemple of the Tooth or DaladaMaligawa is believed to house the 'tooth relic' of the Lord Buddha. A walk en route visit the Gadaladeniya Temple. Gadaladeniya Temple is perched on a beautiful hilltop setting, built on a colossal rock, 1 km from the main Kandy Colombo road. Built of stone, showing influence of Indian temple architecture, it has lacquered doors, carvings and frescoes and a moonstone at the entrance of the shine. The inscriptions on the rock by Dharmakirti date it to 1344. The Principal gilded image of the Buddha (18th century, which replaced the original destroyed by the Portuguese) framed by elaborate makara decoration. Afternoon: Enjoy a city tour of Kandy - the last kingdom of the Sinhalese, taking in the sights of Upper Lake Drive and the Market Square on the way to pay homage to one of the most sacred religious sites in Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Tooth or DaladaMaligawa is believed to house the 'tooth relic' of the Lord Buddha. A walk around the town will let you indulge in some souvenir hunting with intricate treasures in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, bronze, ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewelry and reed-ware to choose from. Overnight stay at Kandy

 DAY 06 (KANDY -COLOMBO 04 HRS RS DRIVE): 
After Breakfast Colombo sightseeingincluding the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare Temple, which lord Buddha had visited to solve the dispute between 2 brothers, Cholodara&Mahodara. This temple is an ancient temple and is one of the holiest temples in Sri Lanka. In the afternoon enjoy a City Tour of Colombo and a visit to the Gangaramaya Temple. Also visit to pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Gangaramaya is a colourful temple near the Beira Lake. The temple complex is home to a resident tusker and a small Museum housing an eclectic collection of gifts and religious items. This temple becomes very lively during the NavamPerahera in February every year. We will also visit the SimaMalak temple which floats in the heart of Beira Lake and was designed by Sri Lanka's renowned architect, Geoffrey Bawa. Overnight stay at Colombo

 DAY - 07 [COLOMBO / AIRPORT - APPROX 30 MINTS DRIVE] : 
After breakfast, leave to the airport for your departure flight
END OF TOUR with MEMORIABLE MOMENTS...!!!

 Package Inclusion 

• Accommodation at the hotels mentioned or similar with FB’ Basis starting with lunch on day 01 and ending with lunch on day 07th.
• Transportation in an air-conditioned Coach with the service of a English speaking guide.
• City / shopping tour of Colombo / Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya / Anuradhapura
• Government Tax (VAT 12%).
• Entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the programme.