Sri Lanka, an authentic country
With the evocation of Sri Lanka, this remote island of the spice route formerly known under the name of Ceylon, images emerge: shades of green of the rice fields and the spice gardens, foaming of the foam at the edge of the bordered beaches. coconut palms, green tea plantations undulating on the mountainsides, mysterious ancient cities engulfed by the jungle, enthusiastic crowds of the temples of Sri Lanka, the hieratic serenity of the statues of the reclining Buddha, the hilarious jokes of the monkeys …
Add cinnamon, precious stones, rare woods, vestiges of the British Empire, elephants, tropical dampness and the freshness of mountainous areas without forgetting the frescoes of the seductive young ladies of Sigiriya … and it is immediately the Sinhalese enchantment which emerges from its magic box …
After the 2004 Tsunami, an air of renewal blows across the island until it reaches the Jaffna Peninsula, with its exotic Tamil culture.
With these invaluable testimonies of the past splendor now released from their vegetal envelope, the Sri Lankan phoenix is reborn from its ashes. The Sri Lankans are smiling again and they welcome visitors from all over the world with incredible warmth.
Today we take you to Adam’s Peak
In the southwest of the highlands region, Adam’s Peak (2,243 m) is one of the most important mountains in Sri Lanka. At the top, a footprint carved into the rock has attracted pilgrims of different faiths for millennia. According to beliefs, the interpretation differs: it would be the foot of Buddha for Buddhists, that of Shiva for Hindus, that of Adam for Muslims or that of Saint Thomas for Christians. The pilgrimage season takes place between the full moon in December and that in May. You progress through the night on a path lit by a thousand lights in the company of Sri Lankan pilgrims. After climbing over 5,000 steps, you reach the top of the sacred mountain to witness the sunrise. On a clear day, the triangular shadow of the mountain appears on the surrounding landforms. This demanding hike is for people in good physical condition.
Visiting Sri Lanka without going through Kandy would be a sin.
The last royal capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy is located at the gateway to the country’s central mountains. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its main tourist site is the famous Temple of the Tooth, housing the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Considered by Buddhists to be a source of infinite power, the sacred tooth has been moved throughout history to the various capitals of the kingdom, from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, then to Kandy. Nicknamed the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy is also famous for its Kandyan dances which can be seen in daily performances or in summer during the great Esala Perahera festival, one of the most beautiful religious parades in the world. To take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, take a stroll through the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Garden.
Sri Lanka is an authentic country, you will enjoy your trip
Stay tuned, starting tomorrow, we’ll take you to other great places you shouldn’t miss on your next trip to Sri Lanka.
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