Shaped like a teardrop, south of India, the nation previously called Serendip and Ceylon and now called Sri Lanka has been on my travel bucket list for some time now. But every time we decide to make a trip there, something happens and the trip gets postponed. But I am not going to give up hope and will get there one of these days.
Sri Lanka has been intrinsically intertwined with the mythological and historical records of India. A major portion of the mythological epic the Ramayana takes place in Sri Lanka and most, if not all Indians would have heard of this country by the time they were in their teens.
Growing up, the Tamil Tiger situation in Sri Lanka dominated the news cycle and it was pretty unanimous that this country was not very safe to travel to. Then, there was a time when Indians were not welcome there, probably because of the Indian peacekeeping forces in the island.
Sri Lanka’s documented history spans 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back to at least 125,000 years. It has a rich cultural heritage and the first known Buddhist writings of Sri Lanka, the Pāli Canon, date back to the Fourth Buddhist council in 29 BC. Its geographic location and deep harbours made it of great strategic importance from the time of the ancient Silk Road through to the modern Maritime Silk Road.
One of the first written references to the island is found in the Indian epic Ramayana, which provides details of a kingdom named Lanka that was created by the divine sculptor Vishwakarma for Kubera, the Lord of Wealth. It is said that Kubera was overthrown by his demon stepbrother Ravana, the powerful emperor who built a mythical flying machine named Dandu Monara. The modern city of Wariyapola is described as Ravana’s airport.
Now that we have some of the history of the country taken care of, lets go on to the more interesting part, which are the places I would love to visit in Sri Lanka. My ideal trip to this beautiful and lush country would be about ten days to a week so that I can take in as much as I can of the varied landscapes of the country. So here goes my favourite Sri Lanka destinations and spots to visit:
Sigiriya: Located near the town of Dambulla in central Sri Lanka, this ancient rock fortress is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century and today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.
Adam’s Peak: Located in a diverse biological site, Adam’s Peak is a tall, pointed mountain in central Sri Lanka. This peak is a 2,243 m (7,359 ft) tall conical mountain, well known for the Sri Pada, i.e., “sacred footprint”, a 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) rock formation near the summit, which in Buddhist tradition is held to be the footprint of the Buddha, in Hindu tradition that of Shiva and in Islamic and Christian tradition that of Adam, or that of St. Thomas and is a common pilgrimage route. Walking to the top in the early hours of the day will get you to see an unforgettable sunrise.
Galle: Located around 120 km from the capital Colombo, Galle is a well preserved colonial city with a well preserved fortified fort built by the Portuguese and extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. The fort is a world heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. The town is full of charming Dutch-era villas and delightful seaside views. Other good places to visit in Galle include the natural harbour, St. Mary’s Cathedral, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary’s Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island, and Amangalla, the historic luxury hotel and Galle International Stadium, which is widely regarded as the most picturesque cricket ground. Important natural geographical features in Galle include Rumassala in Unawatuna, a large mound-like hill that forms the eastern protective barrier to Galle Harbour. Local tradition associates this hill with some events of Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics.
Yala National Park: Yala National Park is the place to go to see big cats in Sri Lanka. The park is home to the highest concentration of leopards in the world, and it is also an important sanctuary for Sri Lankan elephants and aquatic birds. Monkeys, crocodiles, and other critters run around the park’s grassy plains and forest areas. The park is located on the southeast coast of the island, bordering the Indian Ocean. The area around Yala has hosted several ancient civilizations. Two important pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, are situated within the park.
Polonnaruwa: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa has very fine examples of ancient Sinhalese art and architecture. Numerous well-preserved ruins of tombs, temples, statues and other archaeological sites are located in the town. Hundreds of years ago, Polonnaruwa was a capital of the island as well as a busy commercial and religious hub. Don’t miss the historical treasures this World Heritage Site has to offer.
Kandy: Home of one of the most sacred places of worship for the Buddhists, the Temple of the Tooth holding a very sacred relic – Buddha’s tooth, Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by the central highland mountains, this large city which is a World Heritage Site is the place to go to get a taste of Sinhalese culture, especially if you can visit during the Esala Perahera festival in the summer.
Nuwara Eliya: Another plateau town surrounded by mountains is Nuwara Eliya, also known as Little England for its old British colonial buildings like the Queen’s Cottage and the General’s House. The area holds many natural beauties, like waterfalls, hills, tea plantations, and the towering Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is one of many tea plantation areas in Sri Lanka, but it is regarded as the most important spot for tea production in the country.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Gaze at the adorable faces of baby elephants bathing in the river at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. The orphanage was founded in 1975 to feed and nurse wild orphaned elephants found abandoned in the forests of Sri Lanka. An elephant breeding program was launched at the facility in 1982, and as of 2012, there were 78 elephants living at the site.
Dambulla: This large town has the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in all of Sri Lanka, holding five cave temples containing a huge collection of Sri Lankan Buddhist artwork, including statues, shrines, and murals. The paintings and statues tell stories from Buddha’s life—there are a whopping 153 Buddha statues created over 2,000 years ago and very well preserved till date throughout the complex. Other statue subjects include Sri Lankan kings, gods, and goddesses. The amazingly crafted murals cover a total area of 2,100 square meters. Various kings have contributed to this magnificence over the centuries, and King Nissanka Malla had the cave interiors gilded – thus earning the temple earned its name, Rangiri Dambulu (Golden Temple of Dambulla), now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Anuradhapura: The city of Anuradhapura was the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka, and it is still a sacred Buddhist religious centre. It lies around 200 kilometres (124 miles) north of Colombo, the current capital. Buddhist worshippers and pilgrims visit the well-preserved ruins of the temples and religious centres along the bank of the river Malwathu Oya year-round. The city is also home to one of the largest and most sacred Bodhi trees in Sri Lanka, believed to be a descendant of the Bodhi tree where Buddha was illuminated. Anuradhapura became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
While researching for this post, I’ve now realised that any trip to Sri Lanka can’t and should not be lesser than a minimum of two weeks so that we can soak up everything this beautiful country has to offer. I am now really yearning to visit this country, what about you?
Recently a dear friend of mine moved to the mountainous central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan for work. So my Facebook feed has been filled with gorgeous pictures of amazingly blue skies and picture-perfect pretty lakes and meadows as she settles down in her new home. Seeing those pictures, I got intrigued by this country, whose name I couldn’t even spell and decided to find out more about this gorgeous place.
Ethnic Kyrgyz make up the majority of the country’s 6 million people, followed by significant minorities of Uzbeks and Russians. Kyrgyz is closely related to other Turkic languages, although Russian remains widely spoken and is an official language, a legacy of a century of Russification. The majority of the population are non-denominational Muslims. In addition to its Turkic origins, Kyrgyz culture bears elements of Persian, Mongolian, and Russian influence.
Bishkek: The capital city and the place where my friend is currently based in. Bishkek borders Central Asia’s Tian Shan range. It’s a gateway to the Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountains and Ala Archa National Park, with glaciers and wildlife trails. The city’s arts scene encompasses the monumental State Museum of Fine Arts and the collonaded Opera and Ballet Theater. The vast, central Ala-Too Square features the Manas monument, honouring the hero of the Kyrgyz Epic of Manas. The Soviet-era State History Museum, next to the presidential White House, explores the country’s history and ethnic groups. Dubovy Park is known for its oak trees and sculptures, while the nearby M. V. Frunze Museum preserves the birthplace of Mikhail Vasilievich Frunze, a prominent Soviet military leader who was born in the city. West of here, sprawling Osh Bazaar features traditional costumes and Kyrgyz produce. East of Bishkek, the intricately carved Burana Tower and its adjacent ruins mark the site of the 9th-century city of Balasagun.
Issy-Kul Lake: Issyk-Kul means “hot lake” translated from Kyrgyz. It is a salty and mineral rich lake that does not freeze even in the coldest of winters. More than a hundred rivers flow into lake yet not one of them flows out. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world, located at an altitude of 1607 meters and at its maximum, a depth of 668 meters. To give you an idea of the scale of the lake, it takes about nine hours to circumnavigate by car. If you take a tour of Issyk Kul, why not stop at Balykchy, Bokonbaevo, Barskon, or Cholpon Ata? Wherever you stop, you can’t fail to notice the stunning backdrop. Issyk Kul is surrounded by the Ala-Too Mountains, part of the Tian Shan range. There are several local legends about how the lake appeared, but we won’t spoil the surprise.
Ala Archa National Park: Just around half an hour away from Bishkek’s suburbs is a magnificent alpine national park. You can get closer to the mountains that form the backdrop to the city. The highest peak in the national park reaches 4895 meters and the Ala Archa range has more than fifty peaks. It is a favourite local haunt for picnics as well as being popular with tourists looking to do short hikes.
Burana Tower: Built in the 11th century, the Burana Tower was once part of a flourishing Silk Road city called Balasaghun. Originally the tower was a minaret reaching over 40 meters in height and the earliest of such towers in the whole of Central Asia. Sadly, an earthquake in the 15th century destroyed the top half of the tower. Today it stands just over 20 meters high and you can even climb up it! Near the tower, you can also take a look at the small museum and have a look at some ancient stone carvings known as balbals.
Song Kul Lake: Song Kol Lake is a vast summer pasture, accessible only from June to September. Nomads graze their animals there as they have been for millennia. It is located at an altitude of 3016 meters, but don’t expect rugged peaks – it actually looks pretty flat. Song Kul is a freshwater lake that stretches for 29 km in length and about 18 km in breadth. Its maximum depth is only about 13 meters. If you head up there, you’ll enjoy sleeping in real yurts and feeling free just like your nomad hosts. Central Asia with yurts
Tash Rabat: Tash Rabat is a historic stone caravanserai. These were places used by merchants and their caravans on the ancient Silk Road. It is one of the best preserved of such places in Central Asia. You can sleep in yurts nearby or go horse riding. It was originally built as a Nestorian monastery and then turned into a caravanserai.
Osh: Osh is the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan, celebrating its 3000th anniversary in 2000. It lies in the heart of the fertile Ferghana Valley. The centre of the city is occupied by Sulaiman-Too. This is a sacred mountain that has been continuously worshipped for millennia. You will see women sliding down stones in the belief that this practice will increase their chance of giving birth to healthy children. This is one of those perfect examples of longstanding traditions of the Silk Road, that combine prehistoric, pre-Islamic, Islamic and local beliefs into one holy site. Sulaiman is the local pronunciation of Solomon. It is thought that the throne of Solomon was once located on this mountain; some legends go so far as to say that he was buried there. Another important site in Osh is the 16th-century mosque of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire.
Peak Lenin: Peak Lenin base camp is around one to three hours away from Osh, situated on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. At its highest point, it reaches 7134 meters. It is considered to be one of the easiest ascents to over 7000 meters by climbers. If you cannot get that high it is impressive even to enjoy the view of the peak from the first base camp which can be reached by car. Even in the hottest summers, you can admire the snow-capped peaks of the mountains of the Trans-Alay Range where the Tian Shan & Pamir Mountain systems come together.
Karakol: Karakol is the administrative centre of the Issyk-Kul region. However although it isn’t located right on the shores of the lake, it’s easy to make day trips to the lake or to the nearby mountains. In the 19th century, it became a strategic point separating the Russian Empire from China and an important Russian military settlement was established there in 1869. It also attracted Chinese Muslims fleeing oppression in China. These two important events of history can be seen in Dungan Mosque and Karakol’s Orthodox Church.
Djeti Oguz & Altyn Arashan: From Karakol, there are numerous opportunities to go for a hike or go horse riding. Local favourites include the Djety Oguz valley with its red cliff formations and Altyn Arashan that reminds people of Swiss mountain valleys. Djety Oguz means seven bulls. The colourful cliffs are the setting for beautiful and tragic local legends that you can hear during our Kyrgyzstan tour or other Central Asia adventures. Altyn Arashan offers one of the most beautiful Kyrgyz trekking routes and best of all, it’s easy enough that anyone can do it.
Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve: Few places hold a candle to the Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve. This 23.9 sq km piece of wilderness is remote, virginal, and spectacular. Untouched by the rest of the world, Sary Chelek contains 7 pristine alpine lakes, 157 bird species, deer, long-horned mountain goats, porcupines, and wild boar. Sary Chelek is located in the province of Jalal-Abad in between the Chatkal and At Oynok Mountain Ranges.
I’ve always loved travelling by train. I love the feel of the wind against my face and seeing the landscape rush past me!
Around the time I turned 9/10 years old, my paternal grandparents moved to Bangalore for their retirement years and we started travelling there every year on a train that was introduced then: Udyan Express. The first few years, the train left Mumbai around 8 pm and reached Bangalore 24 hours later with the return journey leaving Bangalore at 8 am in the morning and reaching Mumbai at 8 am the next day. After that, they switched the train timings with the train leaving Mumbai in the morning and leaving Bangalore in the evening.
Memories and Such 
