Boulder Garden - Kalawana

"Boulder Garden, Kalawana" is located 160 Km from Colombo International Air Port and  2 Km from Kalawana Town. You only have to drive just 15 Km from Boulder Garden to Sinharaja Rain Forest.

BOULDER GARDEN is set against the lofty mountain in the tranquil, healthier jungle, demarcating the Tea and Paddy terraces at Kalawana in Sri Lanka's South West region. It is an all suite boutique hotel, which allows you to indulge in nature mingling with the luxuries.

Immaculately comfortable rooms, a spectacular menu presented each day in the open-air restaurant tucked beneath a huge, lowering boulder, the delightfully titled Cave bar and spring-water swimming pool nestled beneath the trees, are some of the quaint features of this wondrously charming hotel located in quiet and luxurious surroundings.

Boulder Garden offers guests the ultimate in accommodation with opulently appointed guestrooms furnished in traditional style.

10 suites arranged in 4 rising tiers, linked by winding stone steps and deep corridors give a medieval ambience of rock walls, grilled windows massive timber beams and mirror-polished cement floors.

Suites, consisting 2 natural caves and a 1 split level Family room and other 7 suites with twin bedded and double bedded suites have private Balconies and terraces from which the magnificent evergreen patch can be viewed. It provides a sanctuary of serenity and beauty for the utmost in relaxation for their guests.

Dining at Boulder Garden provides another high point where the tastes and cuisine of Typical Sri Lankan international favorites awaits guests in Open- airy, Main restaurant rest under a canopy of tropical forest rock and is linked by shaded and rocky paths to rooms.

Contact Person : Srilanka.com booking service.
Phone : +94 11 5873305 - 07
Fax : +94 11 2372336

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University Of Peradeniya

The University of Peradeniya is located on a site of great natural beauty, just 8 km from the city of Kandy - the historic capital of the last independent Kingdom of Sri Lanka. The access to the university premises is through Galaha Road, from the turn off near the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya - a popular tourist attraction famous for its rare tropical plants and orchids. Peradeniya is 110 km from Colombo,and can be reached within two to three hours by road or by railway. The nearest railway station is Sarasavi Uyana which is located on campus. A frequent bus service between Kandy and Mahakanda serves the University.

The University is situated east and south of Peradeniya town where the Colombo-Kandy highway crosses the Mahaweli and spreads part of the way up the Hantana ranges on the east. The Mahaweli Ganga flows across the campus in a northerly direction enhancing the natural beauty of the university site.

Climate

The elevation of the campus area above the mean sea level ranges from around 500 meters on the banks of Mahaweli to nearly 1000 meters on the crest of the Hantana Range. The campus has a mild climate endemic to the mid-elevations of the Sri Lankan hill country. The temperature fluctuates between 18 centigrade to 30 centigrade with an average of around 25 centigrade during the year. In the March-April period the climate is warm and humid. In the December-January period the nights are cool and the mornings misty. Peradeniya comes within the wet zone of the hill country and the climate is generally wet. The rainfall averages around 2,300mm per year with a short dry season in January and February. The flow of the river often reduces to a minimum during this-period.

University Park

The University covers about 700 ha of land located on the flood plain of the Mahaweli as well as in the lower slopes of the Hantana Range. The developed area covering about 130 ha is occupied by buildings of the faculties, halls of residence, staff bungalows, playing fields and other infra-structures. Considerable landscaping has been done in the university park which is planted with a variety of flowering and shade tress. Although seasonal changes are imperceptible in the climate of the campus, most trees begin to bear flowers in early March giving a touch of spring. Some of the campus pathways such as the Lovers Lane and the Lower Hantana Road provide a rare aesthetic beauty through their rich foliage. A panoramic view of the campus can be obtained from the upper Hantana Road near the campus mosque.

Surroundings

Some forests which formed the natural vegetation of this region centuries ago have disappeared due to plantation agriculture. When he University was established in the late 1940s much of the land remained under rubber and tea. Over the years most of these plantations have been abandoned. At present, there is a forest reserve on the upper region of the Hantana Range covering about 150ha. Some natural vegetation is found along the stream banks of Maha Oya, a small tributary of the Mahaweli Ganga which flows through the campus and joins the main river near the university gymnasium and the new swimming pool complex still under construction. Some students walk up the bed of this stream for a bath in th rocky pools during warm weather. However, students are generally advised to avoid bathing in the Mahaweli River for their own safety. Students also prefer to undertake hikes to the of Hantana Range which takes more time and effort.

Buildings

The building of the campus are well known for their architectural beauty. The style of architecture which was chosen to blend with the natural landscape is based on traditional Kandyan design. The Arts Theater, Library, the older halls of residence and many others have ornamental pillars, arch ways and door ways with local sculpture and carvings. Some of the repositories of ancient fine art such as The Sri Dalada Maligawa, Embekke Shrine and Gadaladeniya Temple are within close range of the University. Many symbols of ancient culture such as Pun Kalasa (symbol of prosperity), Sandakada Pahana (moonstone), lions and guard stones could also be seen at points in the campus.

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Kandy Esala Perahera - Discover the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka

Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination. (115km from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level). Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples the city could be called the cultural capital of the island. 

The great chronicle Mahawamsa records that King Kirthi Sri Meghawanna also known as Kithsiri Mewan, during his reign in Anuradhapura was informed by the Mahavihara bhikkhus that Prince Danta and Princess Hemamala had arrived at Meghagiri (Isurumuni) bringing with them the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. The King went to meet them and ordered that a special casket be made to place the Sacred Relic. Placing the Relic in this ornate casket it was taken to Anuradhapura in a Perahera (pageant). 

 

King Kithsiri Mevan paid homage to the Sacred Relic and these rituals were continued by Kings Jetta Tissa, Buddhaghosa, Upatissa, Mahanama and King Mahinda V (Mihindu) who safeguarded the Relic. This was the first Dalada Perahera ritual which is still followed as the Esala Perahera in July/August in Kandy, the last stronghold of the Kandyan kings.

 Fa Hien, the Chinese traveller who visited Anuradhapura in the 6th Century, in his writings has described the ceremony of the Sacred Tooth Relic which was conducted with great splendour. When Kandy was ceded to the British, the Kandyan Convention guaranteed the preservation of the Buddhist rituals and the Dalada Perahera. It's the month of August and the Esala trees are in bloom with the yellow Esala blossoms cascading down their branches, reminding one of the annual Esala Perahera.

Kandy Perahera, the pageant of the temple of tooth where Buddha's tooth is kept is held either in July or August each year to parade the golden caskets is a must see itenary if one is visiting Sri Lanka during these months. The final night procession is the most spectacular event of the country. More than 50 elephants parade the city accompanied by the drummers, dancers and chieftains.

A various type of cultural items are preformed in the Kandy Esala Perahera which are formed under "Udarata tradition" like "Udarata Ves" dance, Getabera drum prefomance, Udekki small drum dance, Sawaram dance and many more beautiful cultural performences. The street are colorfully lighten and also "Koppara Pandam" are used to gain extra light while showing how the Perahera path was lighten in ancient times.

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Anuradapura kingdom | Ancient capital of Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.

The city, now a World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province.
The Anuradhapura Kingdom was the 1st established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka. Based around its capital, Anuradhapura, the kingdom's sway extended throughout the country, although at times there existed independent regions, particularly towards the end of the kingdom. However, the king of Anuradhapura was regarded as the supreme ruler throughout the island, although he did not have absolute control over it at all times.Pandukabhaya, the founding ruler of the kingdom, developed the city of Anuradhapura.

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Polonnaruwa | 2nd most ancient Sri Lankan kingdom

The 2nd most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader.

After ruling the country for over 1200 years from the Kingdom of Anuradhapura, Sri Lankan kings decide to move their capital to Polonnaruwa as it was further inland from Anuradhapura and therefore gave them more time to organize defenses in times of foreign invasion. Polonnaruwa had previously been an important settlement in country as it commanded the crossings of the Mahaweli Ganga towards Anuradhapura.
Some of the rulers of Polonnaruwa include Vijayabahu I and Parakramabahu I Parakramabahu the Great. Polonnaruwa that remains today dates from after the 1150s, as the extensive civil wars that preceded Parakramabahu's accession to the throne devastated the city.

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