The sacred places of Sri Lanka will be fascinating for those
travelers interested in history, culture, or Eastern religion, not to mention
those who are of the faith. A land of great significance to two of the worlds which are vital religions of Hinduism and Buddhism
Lanka as it was known plays a significant part in the ancient religious texts
of the sub-continent such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata where Lanka was
reputed to be populated by a race of devils responsible for interfering in the
affairs of gods and men. To the followers of Theravada Buddhism Sri Lanka is a land of
great significance with some of the holiest relics of the Buddhist faith to be
found on the island, with Buddhism
being a major religion of the country. It is also the center of high learning in
theology.
Some of the most important holy sites within the Island are
as follows:
Kandy
In the
beautiful and sacred complex of the Temple of the Tooth is held the most
important relic of Buddhism the tooth of the lord Buddha. Rescued from his
funeral pyre in 583 BC it was smuggled into Sri Lanka for safekeeping in the
4th century BC. Apart from its obvious
importance to the Buddhist faith the holy relic has also taken special significance to the people of Sri Lanka as it is believed that whoever holds possession of the
tooth relic holds the right to rule the island.
Many wars have been fought over the protection of the tooth,
including the invasion of India by King Parakramabahu III to reclaim it in the
12th century after it was captured in a raid; naturally, the colonial powers all
sought it unsuccessfully to cement their claim on the island.
The Kandy Esala Perahera
This magnificent festival is a delight to the senses, an
impressive cultural show of light, music, and dances it is a procession that
occurs every year in July/August for ten nights in line with the full moon
cycle in honor of the sacred tooth relic.
The Sacred Bodhi Tree
Sri Maha Bodhi is found within the ancient city of Anuradhapura the tree is
again of significant importance to the Buddhist faith, grown from a cutting
bought from India by Princess Sangamitta the Bodhi tree which is large and one of the old sacred trees for
over two thousand continuous years the guardians of the tree have protected it
from harm in the shape of armies and invasions, through the rise and falls of
kingdoms, as well as natural blights.
It is said that on reaching Enlightenment the Lord Buddha
spent a week in meditation of the original tree and that on his death bed, he
instructed that a cutting that should fall of its own accord be taken to Sri
Lanka. If you are thinking about visiting these wonderful places so we have Sri Lanka Ramayan Tour package for you
to make your trip amazing and remarkable.
Kataragama
In the deep south of Sri Lanka is
Kataragama, a holy place of pilgrimage for three faiths in Sri Lanka the
Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus, in the sprawling complex on the banks of the
Menik Ganga (River of
Gems) all three religions co-exist side by side.
Some of the temple structures within this complex date back
to the 1st century BC though the importance of the site is thought to be a lot
older, steeped in mysticism Kataragama is held to be home to the Kataragama
Deviyo or Lord Skanda the Hindu god of war.
Many are stories that tell of miracles and prayers
answered at this holy place, and during the Kataragama festival held in July/August thousands of pilgrims and faithful come to worship or seek the
favor of the god of Kataragama.
Adams Peak
Sri Pada as it is known locally is found in
the southern highlands of Sri Lanka in a magnificent setting this peak rises
2243 metres and is a place of important pilgrimage to three faiths in Sri
Lanka.
At the peak of the mountain is found a giant footprint in
the rock embedded in the rock, the Christians and Muslims it is believed that
this footprint marks the first step on earth made by Adam on his expulsion from
Eden, the Buddhists it is believed that it is the footprint of the Lord Buddha
as he headed toward paradise.
From the period lasting from December to May thousands of
pilgrims and some adventurous tourists make the daunting climb to the peak,
during this time of year nightfall reveals a snaking line of lights up to the
peak as the pilgrims climb throughout the night.
John Stills is quoted from his book The Jungle Tide as
saying that the peak is “it is
one of the most important pilgrimage sites Buddhists believe in the footprints which was submitted
by the Buddha himself, and a lot of
climbers brave the overnight climb to witness the unique natural spectacle that
occurs when the sunrises being a perfect triangle of the shadow cast over the land
which gradually disappears into the foot of the mountain as the sun ascends.
Dambulla Rock Temple
It is one of the best preserved and the largest cave in Sri Lanka, the cave
temples of Dambulla are built into a rock outcropping about 200 meters from
road level, their creation is credited to King Valagamba had to take refuge at
this place after being forced to vacate his throne at Anuradhapura, on recovery
of his throne the inner area of
the caves to the magnificent spectacle that they are today.
Other kings of Sri Lanka which is contributed to the development of this temple including
King Nissanka Malla who had the temples gilded, resulting in it being given the
local name of Ran Giri or Golden Rock.
A stunning sight from a historical, religious, and artistic
perspective Dambulla Rock Temple is well worth a visit.
Mihintale
Sri Lanka the significant for
Buddhists because it is the place
where this great faith arrived on the Island in 247BC, King Devanampiya Tissa
was deer hunting in the forests of Mihintale when he met Mahinda, son of the great King Ashoka of India,
a missionary prince who converted the King to Buddhism.
Mihintale is a massive complex of temples and monasteries
and requires some climbing to view all of it; it is of great interest to the
historian and faithful alike.
