Sri Lanka’s religious diversity is immensely varied. From Buddhism, to Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, the island is rich in history and culture. With countless sacred places of worship each with its own origin story and architectural influences, there is so much to learn from each and every site here. We’ve selected the top must-visit cultural spots for when you’re in the country - read along to find out more.
Kandy Tooth Temple
First on the list is, of course, the famous Tooth Temple in Kandy or otherwise known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. From afar, the golden roof of the temple and the white coloured walls are what catches your eye. The temple is home to the tooth of Buddha and worshipers both globally and locally. Come to this temple to attempt to see this sacred item.
However, you only see the Stupa the tooth is kept in and that too during puja, worship time. It tends to get very crowded so we’d recommend going a little earlier. The panoramic view of Kandy from around the temple is also magnificent. This place of worship was constructed in the 16th century and it is the most revered site in Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya
This ancient palace and fortress was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. Sigiriya is fondly referred to among the locals as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and it attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is, in fact, the most visited place in Sri Lanka with incredible historical significance. The palace was built in the 5th century, located on a rock, 370 metres above sea level, that was formed from the magma of an extinct volcano.
The entrance was designed following the form of huge lions but everything except the feet of the lion has been destroyed. Along the rocks, there are also frescoes and ancient paintings celebrating female beauty and significance. The Sigiriya rock formations are a must-visit in Sri Lanka because of its historical and cultural significance as well as archaeological developments.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dambulla Cave Temple is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest temples - a cave monastery with 5 sanctuaries and more than 80 caves. The Buddhist mural paintings and 157 statues located around the sanctuaries are of utmost importance. Over 2000 years old, these temples were first inhabited by forest-dwelling monks since the 3rd century. You ought to climb to the top to reach this temple but not to worry, it shouldn't take you more than 10 to 15 minutes.
Out of the 5, the 3 most famous caves to visit are the Cave of The Divine King, Cave of the Great Kings and the Great New Monastery. The Cave of the Divine King is dominated by a 14 metre high Buddha statue. At Buddha’s feet is Ananda and at his head, Vishnu, Buddha’s favourite pupils. This is the second-largest cave and has 16 standing and 40 seated statues of Buddha with paintings dating back to the 18th century and depicting scenes from his life. The ceiling and wall paintings in the third cave, The Great New Monastery, were arranged by Buddhist revivalist, King Kirti Sri Rajasinha.
The entrance fee to the temple costs LKR 1500 and the temple opens daily from 7 am to 7 pm but the ticket counter closes at 5 pm!
Anuradhapura
This is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists in Sri Lanka and around the world. Anuradhapura is an ancient capital city and the country’s first at that with several centuries-old monasteries, temples and palaces around. There are an incredible number of things to see here such as Mihintale, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi or the Twin Ponds. If you are here for a short day trip or just a more unique experience, we’d recommend seeing the Jetavanaramaya, Abhyagiriya Stupa, Mihintale and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
The Jetavanaramaya was built in 276-303 BC by King Mahasen and is one of the tallest brick monuments in the world. Inside this rustic stupa, are sacred relics such as coins, ceramics and Buddhist teachings. Abhyagiri is the second largest stupa in Sri Lanka and it was built by King Vattagamini. This 235 feet tall building is another thing you cannot miss because of its historical significance.
Mihintale is a large rock, believed to be the place of birth of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It requires a little climb up but the view from the top is worth every minute. Lastly, Jaya Sri Maha Bodi is a serene place and one of the most important places of worship in Anuradhapura. The shrine is built around the branch of the sacred Bodhi Tree that was first planted in the 3rd century BC. The tree is the oldest documented tree in the world and it is one of the 3 crucial symbols in Buddhism.
The ruins are open from 7 am to 5.30 pm daily and the main ticket to enter this historically significant city costs around LKR 4550!
St. Anthony’s Shrine
This national shrine is located in the heart of Colombo, the city of Kochchikade, and is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. While having the appearance of a typical Portuguese Catholic church, local legend says that the building was constructed by a priest from Cochin in Southern India, initially made out of mud before being rebuilt in 1806.
After the recent Easter attacks of 2019, the church is currently in restoration but still remains a symbol of hope, plurality and tolerance, reminiscent of the country’s diverse communities despite the violence that has been unfurled amongst them.
