Historical

Nawan Perahera Parade

Located on the banks the infamous Beira Lake lies the century old Gangarama temple in the heart of Colombo.

Structure and Architecture

The temple’s heterogenous blend of architecture, reverbs the Sri Lanka, India, Thailand , Burma, Indonesia and the China. The temple was built in 1885 by Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera during the British Colonial Era. It features the typical structures of most temples in Sri Lanka that includes the Viharaya (temple), the Chaithya  (Pagoda) the Bodhi tree (Boo Tree), the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malakaya (assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. The temple complex also houses a museum, Library and a vocational training Center.
nawam perahera

Festive Seasons

One of the most Grandeur Festivals celebrated by this temple is the Navam Perahera held on February dating back to 1979 when it first started its celebration. The festival pageant is one of its kind in terms of parades, decorated elephants with costumes and lights, traditional drummers, fire dancers, flute players, traditional performers, the sacred tooth relic and numerous Buddhist monks. The perahara takes place for 2 days especially with well lit and adorned tuskers carrying the Tooth Relic  This kaleidoscopic pageant attracts visitors from every corner of the world irrespective of religion and race to join and watch the celebration.

Make Sure you don’t miss out

  • The museum: One of attractions of the temple is the museum with artefacts and antiques that resonate the Buddhist culture and spirit. You will come across carvings, ivory and wooden carvings, ancient scripts, Statues of the Buddha, precious and random  trinkets and quite surprisingly vintage cars as well.
  • The Relic Chamber: This chamber houses the sacred relic of the Buddha. It also holds some of the ancient relics of the disciplines of Buddha received through donations from Bangladesh.
  • The Bodhiya: the bow tree that shades the place brings tranquillity and serenity to the place with its rustling leaves.
  • Neatly stacked Statues of Buddha
  • Replica Of Borobudur: This place is a replica of the largest Buddhist temple in the world situated in Java , Indonesia. The stupas and the Buddha Statues look similar to that of the Borobudur.
  • A Friendly Elephant: Do not get to close but you can see it playing with its chains swaying from side to side.
  • Beira Lake and Seema Malakaya: This place has been designed by the renowned architect of Sri Lanka, Geoffrey Bawa who is well known for designing several iconic structures in Sri Lanka such as The Parliament, University of Ruhuna and many other hotels as well. This is where the monks assemble located in the middle of the Beira Lake.
Things to Mind !

Opening Hours: 6 am to 10 pm.

Entrance Fee: Free but donations will be most  welcome

Dress Code: as most religious places, visitors are required to dress conservatively i.e. avoid shorts, sleeveless skinnies and head gears as well. A T-Shirt, denims and clothing covering the knees is most appropriate.

Photography: allowed free of cost.

Conclusion

Either being religious or not, the aura of the place emits serene vibe that will make you feel peaceful along with indulging in enjoyable recollection of reminisces of the antique and vintage collections and ancient architectural structure. Make sure not to miss out on all that’s mentioned above and keep your eyes open for more surprises.

When you visit the temple, make sure that you also explore the Beira Lake. To know more about places to visit in Colombo, Click Here to check out our posts.

How to reach

The tower is about 35 Km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and can take an hour to reach during busy hours. 

If you are stationed in Colombo, you can travel by bus and for a quick ride, hire a cab or a TukTuk for its much convenient. 

Gangaramaya Temple- The splendid temple by the lake Read More »

Arcade- Independence Square

 From an Asylum to Luxury Arcade

The Arcade – Independence Square is a spectrum of historic colonial era buildings given the touch of the modern refurbishments to preserve the past by the touch of the present. The structure is a manifestation of its kind that portrays its serenity through its while walls and green pastures during the day and flamboyance during the nights due to the striking illuminations.

Brief History

The building was historically known as the Jawatta Lunatic Asylum or the Cinnamon Gardens Asylum build during the late 19th century. Governor, Sir William Gregory decided to build an asylum to replace the existing facility in Borella during 1875 which was delays due to hullabaloos of location and design structure. Thereafter Sir James Longdon who was appointed as the new governor completed the structure by 1889 that had a capacity to hold atleast 400 patients. The building was a simple structure for the time with least ornamental decorations except for the tower that housed a clock at the forefront.

Although the obvious being stated, the quality of the building in terms of materials, structure, and its elegant design was explicitly ornamental for a two storey building which lasted over a century with the least maintenance.

However, with time, due to the inability to cater to the enormous influx  of patients, another facility was constructed at Angoda to facilitate the transfer of all these patients to the new asylum.

Henceforth, the building has been through several institutions, occupied by the Public Administration Department, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), the Auditor General’s Department and later the Government Analyst’s Department. Thereafter, the building was neglected bringing it to a standstill eerie asylum mansion.

Thereafter in 2012, through the agency of the Urban Redevelopment Project, the place was brought back to life with a glamorous and opulent structure and land scape with the help of the armed forces. Luxury was orchestrated through the use of new technology, lightings, flooring and fountains shopping complexes with various brands, modern eateries and so much more.

Shoppers Delight

On entering the locations, the Arcade greets with its pristine white colonial building with the green landscape that emits an aura of relaxation. Inside the building, one would still feel the presence of the old structure as if in a dimension between the old and the future due to the antique type lamp shades and furniture that envelopes one with the impression of the past and the modern lightings, glass doors and other amenities that emanate a futuristic dimension. 

For those who have a knack to spend for quality and brands names, this place is a shopper delight with some of the high-end brands stores housed within. One would find a range of products from watches and electronics to clothing, jewellery, handcraft, sports equipment and so much more.

Other thing to do 

Dine in-After the lounging within, you can pamper yourself with some fine dining too.

Watch a movie- Arcade- Independence Square also roofs the Ceylon Theatre’s Empire Cineplex for entertainment and adds to the number of ways one can enjoy at the Arcade.

Chill and Relax- If you are not the kind who wants to hang out in crowded malls, this place also has some interesting artefacts, sculptures, water fountains and green lawns & natural landscapes.

Glass top tanks with colourful ornamental fish

Arcade Independence Square

 

The Arcade – Independence Square without doubt is a splendid place in an immaculate location at the heart of Colombo, uniquely designed for getaways for people of all ages, entertainment, shopping, leisure, dining, all-in-one place. The portfolio of world-famous brands at the Arcade is a crowd puller along with its reminiscence of the old architecture. Be it day or night, the arcade has tonnes to offer to keep your body and soul occupied and mesmerised.

To know more about places to visit in Colombo, Click Here to check out our post.

How to reach

The tower is about 35 Km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and can take an hour to reach during busy hours. 

The location is easily accessible either by the local busses that frequent the place every 5 minutes or a cab too would be of ease.

Arcade- Independence Square| From Asylum to exquisite Arcade Read More »

Museum
The Independence

Located at the basement of the Independence Memorial Hall, Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens, one will be astonished to discover a museum at the basement.

Just as the National Museum, this museum is also maintained by the Department of National Museum. The museum honours the national heroes who played a major role in the country’s independence from the British Colonisation. The statues and pictures of patriots, political leaders, clergy as well as renowned authors can be seen here reviving the historical events and struggles the country had to face in the past.

Although the place is not famous and can be said to be mysteriously hidden and one hardly notices it. This museum with an ambience that does not attract many has a lot to offer in terms of knowledge. For those with a knack for history and politics, the museum has volumes to offer.

Things to Expect

  • A small fee is charged to enter the premise
  • Special permission needs to be taken to obtain pictures, hence you will be paying a negligible fee
  • Statues of Figure heads, Politicians, Religious leaders, freedom fighters, authors, etc.
To know more about places to visit in Colombo, Click Here to check out our posts.

How to reach

The museum is about 35 Km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and can take an hour to reach during busy hours. 

If you are stationed in Colombo, you can travel by bus and for a quick ride, hire a cab for its much convenient.

Independence Memorial Museum- The forgotten Protagonist and hidden treasures Read More »

In commemoration of the independence from the British and handing over and reinstatement of the Ceylonese government on 4th February 1948, the Independence Memorial also known as the Independence Commemoration Hall as the name depicts was built marking this historic event where it took place.

The opening of the 1st parliament by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred during this ceremony bringing new life and hope to the people of “Ceylon” as it was known at the time.

At present the monument hold the statue of Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake also known as the Father of the Nation. Currently the site is employed for religious and cultural events, independence / national day celebrations and many more. If lucky, one may be able to witness wedding photoshoots as well usually with the Bride and the Groom dressed in Sri Lankan traditional dress.

Structure of the Memorial Hall

The structure resembles the Royal Audience Hall from the Kandyan Era known as Magul Maduwa or Celebration Hall. The Architecture is similar to the ancient Sri Lanka with columns, beams and significant sculptures include the lion, the Punkala or pot of prosperity, statues etc.

At present, the Independence Memorial Hall is frequented as a recreational venue for joggers, students from universities close by, promenading couples and families as a getaway place for some quality time. The location in open 24/7 hence no entry timings and restrictions however, amorously canoodling couples, littering and graffiti is strictly policed and discouraged.

Usually what one would over look is the Independence Memorial Museum right below the monument at its basement. So make sure you do not miss out too. 

To know more about places to visit in Colombo, Click Here to check out our posts.

How to reach

The tower is about 35 Km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and can take an hour to reach during busy hours. 

During the evenings, the working crowd may visit the jogging paths for their routine exercises and the children with their games. 

Independence Square- Independence Memorial Hall Read More »

Overview

For an enthusiast of History, the Colombo National Museum is the perfect place to start off from. Located about an hour from the Airport, In the heart of Colombo 7, lies this magnificent Italian Architectural Structure. The museum is known to be the largest in the country being home to over 100,000 exhibits within its thick walls.

Landscape and artefacts

Housed in a two-storied building, the museum has a vast land scape of a lush green lawn shaded by towering banyan trees, which adds to the beauty of the place. To welcome you into the museum, a fourth-century Buddha Statue is placed at the entrance lobby.

The captivating walk within will drive you through the history of Ceylon encountering  different types of art, carvings, swords, guns and other paraphernalia from the colonial period. You will also find 19th-century reproductions of English paintings of Sri Lanka and a collection of antique demon masks staring down at you. One of its most prominent exhibitions showcases the throne of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king to rule over Sri Lanka from a monarchy that lasted for over 2300 years.

The museum is managed by the Department of National Museum, a ministerial department under the decree of the Sri Lankan government for its running and maintenance.

History of National Museum Colombo

The building housing all of these artefacts itself holds a historic value that dates back to the 19th century. The construction of the museum was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar  who was descended from the Sheikh Fareed family who arrived in Ceylon in 1060AD). Being a Renowned Architect and a Mason of British Ceylon, his infamous architectural and building skills are portrayed by several prominent structures that still stand to this day such as General Post Office in Colombo, the Clock Tower, Victoria Arcade, Colombo Customs, Old Town Hall in Pettah, Zahira College building and many more. In January 1877, the Colombo Museum was declared open to the public by Governor Gregory.

Entrance fees

An entrance fee of Rs 1000 is charged for adults and Rs 500 kids.

To know more about places to visit in Colombo, Click Here to check out our post.

How to Reach

 

From the Airport, the museum is just 30Km away and would take an hour to the max to reach. The Museum opens at 9am until 5pm except of Public Holidays and Fridays.

COLOMBO NATIONAL MUSEUM Read More »

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