Colombo - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Habarana
Today you will drive to Dambulla. Dating back to the 1st Century BC is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka - The Dambulla Rock Temple. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres. This temple is also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka's medieval capital & crown jewel of King Parakramabahu I. Walk across its scattered walls of the World Heritage Site - blessed by stupas, resting Buddha statues, irrigation canals and fantastically carved Hindu sculptures. Take a close glance and you will realize a subtle Hindu influence on architecture and statues found in Polonnaruwa. Here you will visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, of King Parakramabahu I built in the 11th Century, The Gal Vihara which is one of the most famous sites in Sri Lanka. It consists of three figures of Lord Buddha carved out of a cliff of granite. The first figure is a sitting Buddha with an artificial cavern cut out of the rock. The other two are an upright Buddha and a reclining Buddha. The reclining Buddha is 14 m (46 ft) in length. Other places that you will visit is The Audience Hall which contains exquisite stone carvings, bas-relief elephants support the base of this building and the entrance has two flights of steps with moonstones flanked by mythical dragons. The Lotus Bath located within the Jetavanarama Monastery is this elegant pond built in the shape of an open lotus. Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is a square building with fine rock cut railing going all around the Dalada Maluwa area of the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa. A must see is the Parakrama Samudraya - this vast water reservoir was built by King Parakramabahu-the Great (1153-1186) acres of paddy land is supported by this reservoir. After your visit proceed to the hotel.
Meal
Breakfast
Your Accommodation
Habarana Village by Cinnamon
Bordering a lake and hidden amidst the bushes of Sri Lanka's dry zone in the north central province sits Habarana Village by Cinnamon. The hotel strive to combine the air of a traditional Sri Lankan village with rustic luxury to give you a very different take on the resort experience. Considered to be a great Sigiriya hotel, providing access to myriad historical and natural sites, staying here is the pinnacle of leisure, quiet times and personal exploration.
