Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
It is one of the most well known temples in Sri Lanka. It is said that around 2,500 years ago Lord Buddha came to this place and for this reason it is considered to be a very holy place. The image of reclining Buddha is one of the main attractions inside this temple. Each year this temple organizes the Duruthu Maha Perehera procession that starts from the temple complex.Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple Colombo
It is located at 61, Sri Jinaratana Road. It is Colombo's biggest temple. In this temple, a huge number of stone engravings of Buddha can be seen. It is not only a tourist attraction but also serves as a learning center. Inside the temple premises there is a bodhi tree. Beside this, there is a library, where plenty of books remain available. The Jataka paintings can also be seen in this Colombo temple.All through the year this city hosts several festivals and events. Often tourists visiting this city participate in those events. They are indeed the part of Colombo Tourist Attractions. Some such occasions are Sri Lankan New Year, the Hindu Vel festival, the National Day and Hindu Kataragama festival.
Excel World Entertainment Park Colombo
One of the prominent tourist destinations of Colombo, Excel World Entertainment Park Colombo is situated at T.B. Jayah Mawatha lane in Maradan area of the city. Excel World Entertainment Park offers the visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the unique 4 dimensional simulation ride along with the other joy rides of the park.
Excel World Entertainment Park- A Joyous Experience
The reputed entertainment park of Colombo offers the children as well as the adults with an opportunity to watch latest movies in Cinamatrix and enjoy the joy rides. The Games Plaza of the park provides the visitors with a scope to enjoy several fabulous games like Lazer Runner, Video Games of Ground Zero and Lazer Tag Games.
Also known as Strikes, the popular Bowling Zone attracts several young boys and girls for sheer entertainment and fun. The Pool Parlor or Shotz provides the players with an opportunity to play a game of pool. The Climbing Wall or Geckogrip is another favorite game that helps the players to explore their inherent sporting zeal.
Cinamatrix is a special attraction of Excel World Entertainment Park of Colombo. The audience is filled with a sense of thrill and adventure after watching the 4D Motion Pictures.Cinamatrix remains open from 2 in the afternoon to 11 at night from Monday to Friday. On Weekends, the movie theater remains open from 11 in the morning till 11 in the night.
Other Attractions of Excel World Entertainment Park
Excel World Entertainment Park boasts of several in-house food joints that offers variety of lip smacking delicacies. The soothing ambiance of KEG, the popular bar and restaurant of the entertainment park adds fresh bout of energy and vigor to the visitors. Cafe Latte is the favorite coffee shop of the park that offers the youngsters with a break from the monotony of daily life. Avenue is another well known restaurant that serves the customers with a plethora of Western, Sri Lankan, Chinese, Japanese and Mongolian cuisines. The visitors can shake their leg or simply enjoy the music at the DJ music nights or in the live performance of the musical bands at the park.
Excel World Entertainment Park Colombo draws several tourists who visit the place to refresh and relieve themselves from the stress and strains of daily life.
Colombo National Museum
Representing the unique cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, the Colombo National Museum has a rich collection of antique pieces of art work, exquisite crafts, royal jewelries and traditional costumes.
History of Colombo National Museum
Formerly known as the Colombo Museum, the Colombo National Museum was instituted on the 1st of January in 1877 by Sir William Henry Gregory. Built on the lines of Italian architecture, the magnificent edifice of the museum reflects the architectural splendor of the ancient times.
Under the supervision of Dr. Joseph Pearson and Dr. Arthur Willey, several new sections were added to the already old structure of the Colombo National Museum. Also known by the name of Sri Lanka National Museum, the Colombo National Museum has a separate section dedicated for the ethnological and anthropological studies.
Galleries of Colombo National Museum
The galleries of the Colombo National Museum display beautiful bronze statues, exquisite paintings, decorative items and engravings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The first gallery showcases a huge statue of Buddha made up of limestone that was found in Toluvila region of Anuradhapura.
The second gallery exhibits the colorful royal attires of the aristocrats of Sri Lanka of the by gone era. The fourth gallery displays rich collection of pottery, statues of Hindu Gods and Goddesses and decorative lamp sheds. In the sixth gallery, the visitors will find the beautiful engravings that reveal the brutal deaths of the children of Ehelepola Kumarihamy on the order of last Sri Lankan ruler. The eight gallery is a vast store house of traditional armories used during wars.
How To Reach Colombo National Museum
Colombo National Museum is situated at a distance of half a mile from Albert Crescent and is easily reachable from all corners of the city by buses and private cars. The rich collection of exclusive art and craft work at the Colombo National Museum portrays the rich cultural history of Sri Lanka.
Dutch Museum Colombo
Dutch Museum Colombo can be visited while on a tour to the Sri Lankan capital city. The museum is housed at the Dutch House located in Prince Street in Pettah, Colombo. The Dutch Museum in Colombo had been set up during the 17th century. Colombo Dutch Museum is one of the reputed tourist attractions of this capital city. The museum is located in one of the busiest places of the city - the Prince Street. The Dutch House in Colombo belonged to Count August Carl Van Ranzow which later was transformed into a museum.
The Dutch House is a representation of Dutch architectural style. This building was built in 1780. Initially a post office was set up at this house for some years. Restoration work of the Dutch House began in 1977 and continued till 1981. Once the restoration work of the building was complete, it was opened for the local visitors of the city as a museum in 1982.
Dutch Museum Colombo has a wide range of exhibits. Visitors to the Dutch Museum can see the various artifacts like arms, coins, ceramic works, furniture, maps, charts, coins and other similar collections. The culture and lifestyle of the Dutch people can be studied from this museum. A history of colonization of Dutch power in Sri Lanka can also be traced from this museum. The Dutch Museum in Colombo can be visited between 9 am to 5 pm everyday. The museum remains closed only on Fridays. Both children and adults have to pay a certain amount of entry fee.
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple Colombo
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple Colombo is located in 61 Sri Jinaratana Road of the capital city of Sri Lanka. Throughout the year a huge number of devotees from around the globe come to the largest temple of Colombo. This temple has several statues of Buddha. The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple in Colombo not only is a place of worship, but is also a recognized learning center. A residential hall, a museum and education rooms are found in the temple premises. This temple also has a wide collection of souvenirs of Lord Buddha. Colombo Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple temple has made several efforts to console the victims of the devastating tsunamis that struck Sri Lanka in 2004. After the natural disaster, the Podi Hamuduruwo (High Priest) decided upon a flower procession. For this event they collected a huge amount of money, from which, a particular amount was used for giving shelter to the tsunami victims.
Visiting the Largest Temple of Colombo
Initially the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple in Colombo was a small hermitage. However, in course of time it grew into a popular temple. Inside the temple complex there is a library, and a big bodhi tree. Though there are several attractions inside this premise, the Relic Chamber is considered to be the most important attraction. While going around the temple, devotees get to see a number of stone engravings of the Buddha.
Gangaramaya Temple Buddha Statue
In the middle of the temple there is a golden statue of Lord Buddha, and to its right there is an idol of standing Buddha. Usually parents bring their new-born babies here to get them blessed by Lord Buddha. This temple is popular for its precious artworks, statues, large tusks, carvings and gifts from religious people. Gangaramaya Temple Relic Chamber
In the Relic Chamber several golden statues are preserved. They were brought from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Thailand. There are also a number of Jataka paintings. While making a trip to Sri Lanka, tourists must never miss a visit to the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple Colombo.
