5 Exciting Things to Do In Kandy, Sri Lanka

In heart of Sri Lanka is located Kandy, a city which is generously filled with places that leave lasting imprints on mind, heart and soul. Draped in a complete tranquility with mild chants filling the air, the city can keep you captivated for the rest of your life. If you are fascinated by the timeless tales of this city, then apply for online Sri Lanka visa today!

There are multiple things to do in this country; some of them are given below:

1.       Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic- Considered as sacred, the temple of the sacred tooth relic has a golden roof and a tooth relic of Buddha which is kept under the golden casket in a heavily guarded room. Although the temple is open to general public and the place is often thronged by devotees every day, the casket is kept away from the spotlight.

2.       Kandy Lake- This beautiful lake of Kandy commands attention. Dominating the entire city, it was built by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha in 1807. Take a leisurely stroll around the lake with a few stops on the lakeside seats to admire the beauty of lake. The best part to enjoy the walk is the area around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

3.       Degal Doruwa Raja Maha Vihara- Compact yet beautiful, this fascinating cave temple is hidden away in the leafy outskirts of Kandy. Constructed in 18^th century, the interiors of the temple are covered with murals that have become slightly faded. These Kandyan-era paintings and murals depict stories from the Jataka stories that are associated with the previous lives of Buddha. Apart from the paintings there is also a reclining Buddha which is the main highlight of the temple.

4.       Sri Dalada Museum- A famous museum which is located within compound of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy, its upper two floors contain a stunning array of gifts donated by various presidents and Buddhist leaders to the temple of the world from all across the world. Letters and diary entries from the colonial era are also put on display that reveals the surprisingly respectful attitude of British towards the tooth relic.

5.       National Museum- The National Museum was once a permanent residence of Kandyan royal concubines and now features royal regalia and a collection which acts as a reminder of pre-European Sinhalese life. The major attraction of the museum is Rajasinha II`s golden crown. The tall-pillared audience hall hosted the convention of Kandyan chiefs that marked the end of the kingdom to Britain in 1815.

Take your family or plan out a trip with your friends to Sri Lanka this year as the country is an amazing place to be! So apply for your onlineSri Lanka visa by going to our website sri-lankaeta.com.

Festivals That Are Celebrated Every Month In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a religious country with plenty of different groups, each with their own rituals. The country celebrates many festivals and enjoys plenty of public holidays. The most amazing celebration is the full moon celebration that happens in every month.

Every full moon day is a public holiday in the country and is popular as Poya Festival. These celebrations are the unmissable part of your Sri Lankan holiday. Let our short but comprehensive guide tell you about these holidays so that you can be a part of the celebrations too by applying for onlineSri Lanka visa in time!

An Overview

‘Poya’ or a ‘full moon day’ follows the Buddhist Lunar calendar which is also used for all religious celebrations. Every year has 12 Poya days and if there is a blue moon year, then there are 13. Each Poya has a different name for each Gregorian month.

Celebrations

Vesak Poya

Although all the Poya days are celebrated all across the island, Vesak Poya is a special one. It is believed that on this full moon day, Buddha was born and also reached enlightenment on the same day. It is also believed that he died on the same full moon day. Vesak Poya is celebrated with festivals, fasting, chanting, meditating and special lanterns illuminating every road. It is celebrated in the month of May. Apply for online Sri Lanka visa in the month of May.

Esala Poya

Another Poya Day that is considered of great significance other than the Vesak Poya, is Esala Poya which is celebrated in the month of July. This is the Poya that celebrates Buddha`s first sermon. The tooth relic which is kept inside a gold casket is believed to be arrived in the temple on this day. The city of Kandy celebrates the festival on a grand scale with festivities lasting for an entire week. The celebration includes a parade which is locally known as ‘perahera’. Want to experience it? Apply for your online Sri Lanka visa in the month of July.

There are many performances performed by the dancers and singers. To entertain the audience, the performers sing, dance, throw firecrackers and entertain the audience.  The parades involve decorated elephants and thousands of people travel to Kandy in the month of July for Esala Poya Perahera.  Some temples around the island have perahera parades. Some include elephants while some don`t.

Anuradhapura

One more temple where the full moon day is celebrated on the large scale is Sri Maha Bodhi Temple in the old city of Anuradhapura. A singing and dancing performance is given by Artists from all across the country, especially at the site of the sacred Bodhi Tree. To join the celebrations, it is mandatory to wear white clothes.

Be a part of this amazing celebration that represents the vibrant culture of Sri Lanka. Don`t wait too apply for online Sri Lanka visa, apply it now! For more details log on to sri-lankaeta.com!

Discover the Vibrant Market of Pettah Sri Lanka

Pettah is a bustling neighborhood in Colombo which is located on the east of the city center fort. Famous for its open-air markets, Pettah is a chaotic place showcasing variety of products, sights and sounds.

A mecca for the local produce, the natives go to the market to buy variety of items, from mechanical parts to plastics. The market is precisely located in the area outside the fort which was built by the Portuguese in the 16^th century. It is easy to get lost in the maze of streets that make up the Pettah Market but if you have got your Sri Lanka visa online then here is a breakdown of the places you can find at every street of Pettah:

PETTAH MARKET

One of the most popular markets of Colombo, the Pettah Market is an al fresco shopping center. One of the busiest places in Colombo, you may find a mix of market vendors selling everything from meats, vegetables, seafood to jewelry, electronic goods and clothing. Each and every street is dedicated to different trades with the infamous sea street which is located at the end of the market. The sea street market is specialized in the trading of jewels and gold and mostly administered by migrant Tamil people.

WOLVENDAAL CHURCH

One of the best preserved buildings from the Dutch colonial era, the Wolvendaal Church is the oldest Protestant church in existence. The church was completed in 1757 and since then it is serving its services and purposes both in English and Tamil. The name of the church –Wolvendaal interprets as ‘Dale of Wolves’ and has an interesting story behind it. When the church was first constructed, a group of jackals roamed the marshlands that were completely untouched. The colonists mistook the jackals for wolves and thus gave the church its current name.

JAMI UI-ALFAR MOSQUE

The stunning structure which was built in 1909 by the Muslim community in Pettah is hard to miss. The mosque is constructed immaculately by red and white brickwork which was claimed to be recognized by the sailors approaching Colombo`s harbor. If you have received your online Sri Lanka visa then the mosque is worth a visit, if you are in the area.

   

RELISH STREET FOOD

The multicultural market of Pettah is not only a perfect place to shop for some of the best products but also an ideal place to get a taste of authentic Sri Lankan food. The streets are filled with street food stalls and rustic restaurants that offer spicy dishes bustling with delightful flavors. From Kottu roti to string hoppers and spicy curries, you can get it all.

Explore the Pettah Market apart from the Galle fort of Colombo. You will have a wonderful experience interacting with locals. To apply for onlineSri Lanka visa, visit our website sri-lankaeta.com.  

4 Reasons You Should Visit Sri Lanka Over Any Other Country in Asia

Summary- Southeast Asia is a popular destination for Europeans as the continent has so many countries to visit that are nothing short of a nature trove of stunning places. Read on to know why you should visit Sri Lanka over any other country.

Southeast Asia is a collection of different countries that are squeezed between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The area offers so many countries that it has long been a favorite corner of the world for globe-tramping backpackers, popular for their gorgeous beaches, unmatched cuisine, low prices and plenty of surreal landscapes.

Sri Lanka being one of the countries that is situated on this continent is located below India in the map. With its colorful culture, rich heritage and mystic aura, the small islandic country is rapidly growing popular amongst the globe-trotters. Holding many secret within itself, check out the reasons why you should come to Sri Lanka over any other country in Southeast Asia:

1.       Easy to get visa approval- If you are travelling to country for the first time, then you will have to apply for onlineSri Lanka visa. The application process for the visa is simple and completely organized. You can apply for it through an online portal. You can log on to their government website or can visit sri-lankaeta.com to apply for tourist/business or transit visa.

2.       Gorgeous coastline- Unlike Australia, Sri Lanka does not have 10,000 beaches but the country`s coastline is no less splendid than its counterparts. Being an island nation, the sea surrounds Sri Lanka. Its long and extensive coastline is bordered by the crystal clear water which makes it an ideal country for the beach lovers. Every beach is different and unique from the other. The beaches in the South are more calm and soothing while the beaches in the east are popular for surfing spots.

3.       Beautiful mountains- Yes, the country has stunning cliffs and mountains too and located at a short distance from the beaches. The central Sri Lanka has a calm and pleasant weather which is cool and soothing. You can explore cascading waterfalls, mysterious caves and unique flora and fauna along with some great mountain ranges such as Adam’s Peak, Namunukula, Knuckles Mountains Range, Pidurutalagala, and Hakgala. Hikers and trekkers can apply for online Sri Lanka visa in any month.

4.       Trek through the forests- As you move away from beaches and mountains, you have the verdant rainforests of Sri Lanka. A trek through a Sri Lankan forest will bring you face to face with flora and fauna that are endemic to the island.

The country may appear as a tiny teardrop shaped island on the map, but Sri Lanka is much larger when it comes to natural landscapes. Thus, apply for onlineSri Lanka visa and explore this amazing country, now!

4 Places You Can`t Afford to Miss in Galle, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a pristine island country famous for its beaches, spiritual temples, iconic landmarks, ancient cities and tea plantations. And if Sri Lanka is a crown, Galle is its precious jewel. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is dotted with an infinite number of old trading port, Dutch-colonial buildings, churches, mosques and grand mansions – a city that is a treat if explored on foot.

Often considered as a halt by many tourists, Galle`s core is the fort which was built by the Dutch in the beginning of 1663. The sea-facing fort which is the major attraction often lures the visitors to its walled enclave surrounded by the ocean from three sides. If you have applied for onlineSri Lanka visa then do include Galle into your travel itinerary. Here are the places that are must exploring:

1.       FLAG ROCK- The rock which is located at the southernmost end of the Fort was once a Portuguese stronghold. Today the place is most popular with the locals and tourists similarly, to catch a sunset. During the daylight, you can see various visitors and locals jumping off the rocks straight into the water. During the Dutch period, the approaching ships were signaled from the rock about the dangerous rocks and this was how the rock got its name.

2.       DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH- The church that was originally built in 1640 is housed under the building that dates from 1752. The building features a floor which is made from Dutch cemeteries while the other appealing features include the organ and an imposing pulpit which was made from calamander wood which is topped by a grand hexagonal canopy. There is also a small carved window which is a memorial dedicated to a former Commander of Galle, Abraham Samlant. You can visit this church when in Galle and for that apply for online Sri Lanka visa on time.

3.       MARINE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM-Occupying the old spice colossal warehouse that was built by the Dutch, the Marine Archeological Museum was built in the 17^th century. Originally the structure was built as a part of the main gateway to the Fort and even today it forms certain parts of its ramparts. After getting neglected for decades, the building was shut only to be reopened in 2010 as a museum after two years of renovations.  

4.       AMANGALLA- Today the Amangalla houses a luxurious hotel with bar, lobby and restaurants that are open and worth a look, but originally the building was built in 1684. The building was a residence of the Dutch governor and officers initially but later on it transformed into New Oriental Hotel to accommodate the passengers travelling to and from Europe in the 19^th century.

Sri Lanka is although famous for beaches, but its cities are nevertheless famous too! Do visit Galle and the iconic Galle Fort to experience the bygone era. To apply for online SriLanka visa, visit our website sri-lankaeta.com.

3 Museums in Colombo to Take You Back In Time

Sri Lanka may look small but offers larger than life experiences. A land of extensive beaches, waterfalls, temples and caves, the country also houses numerous museums that are as old as its intriguing history. Some of them are famous, while some of them are not so popular but showcases exquisite collection, nevertheless.

Colombo`s National Museum for instance is one of the most popular tourist destination and an infamous landmark which dates back to the 19^th century Ceylon. Situated in the central location, the museum is quite hard to miss. Sir William Henry Gregory, who was the British Governor of Ceylon at the time, founded the Museum.

But Colombo`s National Museum is not the only museum in Sri Lanka that deserves a visit. There are many more museums that exhibit similar or more unique collection. If you have applied for online Sri Lanka visa then read on to know about other museums:

1.       The Central Bank Currency Museum- Housed within the Central Point Building, the Currency Museum of the Central Bank is located on Chatham Street. The building which is constructed beautifully was inspired by the Greco-Roman style of architecture. The exteriors are as remarkable as the interiors of the building with marble floor tiles and an elegant chandelier in its entrance hall. The museum features currency and coins from the ancient kingdoms and empires that traded with local merchants. The collection also consists of the currencies that belong to 3^rd century B.C.

2.       The Colombo Maritime Museum- Located right near the entrance to the harbor, the museum is housed in a small two –story building, which the visitors can explore for free from Monday to Friday. Maintained and operated by the country`s Ports Authority, the building within which the museum is housed is a former Dutch Prison of the 17^th century.  The building is one of the oldest Dutch buildings in Colombo and features several artefacts, sculptures, paintings, models, photographs and maps that defines the maritime history of the island. Apply for online Sri Lanka visa in time if you have an eye for the unique collection.

3.       The National Postal Museum- If you felt drawn to the postal services of Sri Lanka, then the National Postal Museum has the history of the postal activities that carried out in the country and can be seen through the lovely collection of items on display at the museum. From the red post boxes, to the uniforms that were born by the country`s postmen, stamps that were issued centuries ago along with black and white photos, you can find everything in this museum.

Apart from Colombo`s National Museum, all the above mentioned museums will give you a unique experience as you discover an exclusive collection. Planning to travel to Sri Lanka? Visit our website sri-lankaeta.com and you can get all the information regarding onlineSri Lanka visa.

7 Mind Blowing Facts About Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya is the most popular site where a massive column of rock erects out from the green tropical forest. Tourists love this gigantic rock which is 660ft tall. Also known as ‘Lion Rock’ it has a lion carved out as a large façade and an ancient kingdom on top.

The site holds the top position on the list of most visited places due to the history and few dark facts, which are associated with the place itself. You can visit this place easily from Kandy. Make sure you book your tickets in advance and check your SriLanka online visa status to proceed with further reservations. This place will amaze you with its unbeatable frescos, construction and of course the ultimate facts that are mentioned below:

1.       The King Kasyapa who ruled from 477 to 495 CE, built the citadel that sits on the top of Sigiriya. Worried about the potential attacks from his brother Moggallana who was the rightful heir of the throne, Kasyapa chose this as his royal residence.

2.       The rock is 200 meters high and encompasses 1200 steps, divided amongst a number of staircases till the top.

3.       Born to a non-royal concubine, king Kasyapa`s life was full of controversy. Despite having no right to the throne, he carried a revolt against his father Dhatusena, imprisoning him and eventually killing him. After killing he got his father entombed in a wall.

4.       The rock was earlier used as a Buddhist Monastery, prior to Kasyapa`s using it as his residence. After his reign, it was once again used as a monastery till it was abandoned in the 14^th century.

5.       King Kasyapa created a ‘mirror wall’ so finely polished that it would reflect his own reflection as he walked by. 140 meters long and 40 meters high, was once covered with the paintings of women. There are few instances left as well and can be seen today. The graffiti is of great significance for the historians, as it represents the development of Sinhala language and script.

6.       The smart, advanced and impressive hydraulic system consists of lakes, canals, bridges, fountains, dams and underground water pumps still provide water to the site`s manicured gardens till today.

7.       Kasyapa built a façade on the plateau halfway up in the form of a huge lion with a staircase emerging out of its mouth. This is why the place is also called ‘Lion Rock’.

When you have decided to visit the country, do not forget to witness this great piece of marvel which has so many interesting facts about it. Now you can apply for ETA visa online and can also check Sri Lanka online visa status on our website sri-lankaeta.com.