srilanka Avurudu with foreign visitors

Sri Lanka Tourism celebrates ‘Avurudu’ with foreign visitors............

Under the theme of “Sri Lanka Hospitality 2013”, Sri Lanka Tourism celebrated Sinhala and Hindu New year (Avurudu) at Negombo beach (Opposite Hotel Camelot) today. The celebration was rich with Sinhala and Hindu ‘Avurudu’ rituals, which are exclusively found in Sri Lanka.
Under the guidance of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, the Minister of Economic Development, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has already taken steps to provide exposure of the unique Sri Lankan culture and rituals to the world and thereby to convey the message that Sri Lanka is a very positive destination. The ‘Avurudu’ celebrations were also done with this purpose.

The selection of ‘ Avurudu Kumara’ and ‘ Avurudu Kumari’ or the New year Prince and Princess, among the other events, was the most eye-catching event. Miss Yevegenia Kotenko from Russia and Mr Shota Kiladze from Russia have been able to secure ‘ Aurudu Kumari’ and ‘ Aurudu Kumara’  titles for the year 2013 respectively. The event also offered the experience of ‘Aurudu’ sports to the participants who enjoyed pillow fighting, tug of war, bursting of balloons and climbing the grease pole and marking the eye on elephant etc......

see more:- http://www.srilanka.travel/travel_news?news=166

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Gathering Up

                                                      GATHERING  UP.......................

Under the cool climes of the setting sun up to 100 elephants or so converge upon the idyllic Minneriya  reservoir  where they play,graze, bathe, feed and most importantly quench their thirst.
              

As the annual drought begins, the interior of the Park dries up and subsequently the water level of the Minneriya reservoir also drops, revealing a tank bed full of foliage and precious water, perfect for hungry and thirsty, pachyderms.

Due to this availability of water, the Gathering attracts elephants from far off sanctuaries such as Kantale, Somawathi and Wasgamuwa, who all emerge around sunset to enjoy the spoils

Referred to as 'the Gathering' by many, the months of August and September reveal the true extent of the park interior's lack of foliage, as the reservoir is surrounded by a magical spectacle of well over 100 elephants, the largest grouping of wild Asian elephants at any given time, anywhere.

To ensure the longevity of such a spectacle always ensure to registered, reliable and professional safari operator. During the hour leading to sunset, the park can become very congested with traffic and it is important to allow enough space for the roaming giants, considering that you are in their domain.

Always ensure the your travel party is quiet and does not disturb the surroundings, as elephants are often very sensitive animals, who dislike loud noises and other distractions that confuse and disorient them.

Never, ever alight your travel vehicle.The Gathering at Minneriya National Park is to be witnessed every sunset during the months of August/ September.......

see more :-  http://www.srilanka.travel/wild_safaris/index.php?route=common/search&keyword=minneriya%20national%20park

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Touring sri lanka

                                      TOURING  SRI  LANKA...............


    Sri Lanka is a paradise for sightseeing, you name it, and we have it! And in close proximity too! Within a tiny area of 65,610 sq k.m. is a package of varied interests. From Colombo on the West Coast you may travel to the salubrious hill country through breathtaking scenery in 3 to 5 hours. Each turns unfolding a different visual tapestry.

  The world renowned photographer Roloff  Beny had once said that he had never seen such a variation of greens anywhere in the world. Sri Lanka is often called the 'Emerald Isle'. It is not only the scenery which would captivate you....... Sri Lanka's ancient cities with stupendous monuments, sculpture, cravings and huge man-made lakes; landscaped gardens.......have taken pride of place among the treasures of the ancient world. Seven of these sites are listed in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. A grand list of fauna and flora, gem mines yielding precious and semi precious gems,including the spectacular blue sapphire. And above all, a smiling, simple, hospitable people are a delight to any visitor to our shores. Your tours will depend on the time at your interests.

see more:-www.srilanka.travel

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BEAUTIFUL SRI LANKA

 

see more :-http://www.srilanka.travel/index.php?route=theame/main&theame=6&page=1

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city of gems- Rathnapura

                                         CITY OF GEMS - RATNAPURA..............

From Colombo you drive 101 Kilo meters through every shade and tone of rich green and yellow green of rubber plantations, paddy fields and tea estates to reach Ratnapura - the city of Gems.

Ratnapura is the most famous gem -mining locality in Srilanka.At the National Museum, Gemmological Museum, the Ratnapura Gem Bureau and Museum or in many other Gem work shops in Ratnapura, one can get the rate opportunity to see a variety of precious stones such as rubies,sapphires,cat's eyes,alexandrites,aquamarines, tourmalines, spinels,topaz,garnets,amethyst,zircons etc.and also the traditional ways of cutting and poslishing gem stones.

         Throughout history, Sri lanka has been known as a land of gems.King soloman was said to have procured a great ruby for the Queen of sheba from Ceylon (Sri Lanka former name). Marco polo (1293 AD) wrote about the ruby that once graced the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba at Anuradhapura.....''a flawless ruby a span long and quite as thick as a man's arm.
        
          The 400 carat blue sapphire called ''Blue Belle" which adorns the British Crown is From Sri Lanka. The Beautiful star sapphire misnamed the "Star of India" (on permanent display in the Museum of Natural History in New York) is another Sri Lankan treasure. Ratnapura is situated at the foot of the 2243 meter high Adam's Peak. All four major religions claim Adam's Peak as a holy mountain. Buddhist call the mountain Siri Pada (the scared footprint) and believe the Lord Buddha has visited this mountain and set his  sacred footprint. Hindus say it is lord Shiva's and Muslim's belive that is the palace where Adam first set foot on earth. Catholics say it is of St. Thoma's  the Christian apostle who preached in South India The pilgrimage season is from December to April.


               see more:- http://directlink.lk/ratnapura.html
 

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Kandy

                                               ROYAL CITY OF KANDY.................

    Nestled in lush green hills and built around a scenic lake, the Royal City Of Kandy, at 500m above sea level, is the hub of any visit to the hill country. Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the last bastion of resistance to colonial rule. Even today, Kandyans pride themselves on their distinctive architecture, music, dance, and art. The show piece of the city is the Dalada Maligawa Temple of the Tooth, which hosts the Buddha's tooth relic, an item of veneration to all Buddhists. Strolling around the lake or exploring the numerous temples that dot the hills nearby is a great way to get the feel of this historic city. Each year, in July or August, the city holds the Esala Perahera, a spectacular display of medieval pageantry replete with caparisoned elephants, whirling fire dancers, and pulsating drummers.

                                                         

     The journey from Colombo to Kandy is a treat with fine views of the scenery afforded from the road or railway. Not to be missed enroute is the Pinnawala Elephants Orphanage,where visitors can get up close and personal with over 60 pachyderms, ranging from cute babies and mischievous adolescents to majestic tuskers. Just outside Kandy at Peradeniya, the Royal Botanical Gardens contains a bewildering array of local and foreign species set in a tranquil site adjacent to the mighty Mahaweli Ganga, Sri Lanka's most important river.

     For many centuries, traders have been drawn to the island by the allure of its spices. Numerous spice gardens to the north of Kandy allow you to see how cinnamon, cloves,nutmeg,pepper,and cardamom all continue to flourish in the island's fertile soil. Golfing enthusiasts should not miss the stunning Victoria Golf Course, set on the edge of a vast reservoir 20km east of Kandy...........

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wonder of asia

wonder of asia - https://www.google.lk/search?q=sri+lanka+beaches&client=firefox-a&hs=KfY&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Kmh3Uca9AYT-rAeyp4GwCA&ved=0CGIQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=664

Sri Lanka is a paradise island offering visitors incomparable beach holidays. With the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean gently lapping its pristine shores, Sri Lanka’s beaches are covered with soft warm sand. Home to tropical fish and living corals the waters surrounding Sri Lanka are warm thanks to the tropical climate the island enjoys. With over 1300 km of beach on offer, all you have to do is come to Sri Lanka and spend hours of fun in the sun.

Whether you are looking to just relax in the sun and get the perfect tan or if you are looking for more action such as surfing, diving or jet skiing, Sri Lanka has much to offer with its world renowned best beaches. Come visit Sri Lanka, the wonder of Asia.

wonder of asia

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beaches

                                                     

                                        SRI LANKAN  BEACHES..........

•     Toes curling into fine sand.
•     The aquamarine blue waves of the Indian Ocean gently unfolding on the golden shore.
•     A fresh coconut sipped in the shade of wind- whispering palms.
•     A (not-too-long) bask in the early morning or late afternoon sun.
•     A cool-off in the vast expanse of sun-glittering sea.
•     Some of the delights of a Sri Lankan beach.

    Where beaches are concerned you will be spoilt for choice in Sri Lanka. Beaches totalling 1340km fringe the island, from the long-established tourist destinations of the southern coast,to the vast beaches of the deep south ,and the less- visited expanses of the north & east. No matter what time of the year, you can find a beach is in season and just waiting to welcome you to its warm sands.

     
see more - _beach_holidays

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Sigiriya

                        
                               EIGHT WONDER OF THE WORLD - SIGIRIYA


    Part hedonistic pleasuer palace, part fortress and part sacred complex, Sigiriya is one of the island's most awe-inspiring archaeological sites and a leading tourist attraction. In fact some consider it to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in the world with early visitors recording their impressions as graffiti on a  wall described as the world's first interactive book. Located north of Dambulla, 169km from Colombo, the site consists of a sheer rock that rises over 200m with the ruins of a palace on the top and a vast pleasure garden complex at the foot.

For just two decades in the 5th c. AD, Sigiriya rose to prominence following a power struggle between two brothers, and an act of paticide that saw the then king walled-up alive by his son, Kasyapa. Fearful that his defeated brother would return from exile to extract vengeance, Kasyapa shifted the capital to Sigiriya.



The megalomaniac yet spiritual Kasyapa clearly had an eye for beauty. The pleasure gardens include a series of symmetric pools, channels and founations that still spurt water after 1500 years. Partway up the rock are the famous Sigiriya frescoes, featuring 21 bare-breasted damsels that may represent celestial nymphs, but were surely modelled on Kasyapa's own consorts. Halfway you'll encounter a pair of gaint lion's paws, part of the original entrance, which required visitors to pass  through the open mouth of a lion. The summit yeilds a dramatic vista of the surrounding jungle and contains the foundations of the palace complex, replete with bathing pool. But all this was to be in vain.

Kasyapa descended from his palace in the clouds to face his brother astride an elephant, eventually  taking his own life when facing certain defeat.  

http://www.srilanka.travel/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=125

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sinharaja

                                             SINHARAJA   FOREST    RESERVE 

          Damp , mysterious and teeming with life,the SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE, situated 120km south-east of colombo, is the last extensive stretch of virgin rainforest on the island. At just over 11,000 hectares, lying across the wet zone at the southern edge of the hill country, Sinharaja is an ecological treasure trove. Its staggering array of flora and fauna place it among the top biodiversity hotspots in the world.

           Over 130 bird species are found here including many of the 33 species endemic to sri Lanka. There is also a rich reptile population and myriads of insect species, many yet to be classified. Mammals seen here include the purple faced langur monkey and giant squirrel. Sinharaja is also home to the elusive leopard.

It is preferable to explore Sinharaja on foot, which makes for a truly authentic jungle experience. Starting points for visits are Deniyaya to the  Kudawa to the north.

See more :- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinharaja_Forest_Reserve

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Trailblazing in Sri Lanka

Trailblazing in Sri Lanka!

Explore a multitude of unexplored destinations in the corners of Sri Lanka. Search, browse and access information on destinations with archeological and natural interests, beyond the middle-of-the-road attractions. Take home a novel experience, may it be swimming elephants of the East, golden beaches of Jaffna, hiking and mountain climbing in mid-country to reach an ancient fortress or exploring a lost city amidst the untamed jungle; the unseen Sri Lanka awaits you. Come; travel the path of the pioneers. What is more if you know about a site we missed? Tell us about your experience and we would tell the world through words, picture and video.

Spread the word!

Like what you see and read? Share the lesser travelled sites of Sri Lanka through websites, blogs, forums and social networking. Facebook, tweet, blog or you tube and spread the word. You are free to use/copy the content (i.e: text,images,videos) available on this web site by providing due courtesy to Sri Lanka Tourism & a link to this site.

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