Yala is the second largest National Park in Sri Lanka, and attracts many tourists, both local and foreign, all year round. Yala is mostly famed for being the home to the largest number of leopards in the world. It is true that visiting Yala should be on every traveller’s bucket list. However, most adventure seeking individuals who travel to Yala, tend to miss out on the opportunity to explore the other attractions in the area.
So, here is a list of beautiful sites that you should visit to truly satisfy your traveller spirit.
Sithulpawwa Temple:
Sithulpawwa translates to “the hill of the quiet mind”, and this Buddhist monastery stays true to its name. It is believed to have been built by King Kavantissa in the 2nd century BC and is situated very closely to the Yala National Park. It is said that monks used to make lodgings of the caves at Sithulpawwa, when the temple used to be a centre of Buddhist education and traditional medicine. Extend your safari ride to the Yala National Park to Sithulpawwa and enjoy an entire day out in the serene wilderness of Sri Lanka.
Kataragama:
If you want to witness the cultural diversity in Sri Lanka, Kataragama would be the ideal place to go. It is one of the only places in the country that has multi-religious value, and people of all faiths visit Kataragama to worship many deities who are believed to help people in certain aspects of life. Kiri Viharaya, Kebiliththa Devalaya, and Ruhu Maha Kataragama Devalaya are among the most visited religious sites in the city.
Bundala National Park:
Bundala National Park is famed for its plethora of avifauna, which is said to be around 200 species. All aquatic birds that are found in Sri Lanka can be observed at Bundala, at some point during the year. Some of the migrant birds who fly to Bundala during winter are Sandpipers, Kentish Plovers and Flamingoes. In addition to birds, there are also other species of animals like elephants, vipers, spotted cats and jackals and wild boars at Bundala, who you will be lucky enough to feast your eyes on if you visit in the evening.
Buduruwagala Temple:
Buduruwagala Temple is unique since unlike most ancient religious sites of Sri Lanka, the statues at Buduruwagala are of the Mahayana school, and not the Theravdha. It is believed to have been a hermitage for foreign monks who practiced the Mahayana tradition. The statues at the temple date back to the 10th century. The largest standing statue of the complex, which stands at 15ft, is also the tallest in the country. Most people who visit the Temple, do so because they are curious about the mustard oil smell that is perpetually present at one place on the rocks, which has no explicable source or reason.
