Most Interesting Attractions To Visit In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is called the ‘Teardrop of the Indian Ocean', and is a mesmerising location filled with beautiful beaches, charming cities and some exquisite attractions that you simply must visit during your Sri Lanka tour packages. Here are two of the most famous attractions in the country that draws travellers from all across the world, not just for their beauty or novelty but also for their back-story:  

The Ancient City of Sigiriya:

Sigiriya is located in the Matale District of Sri Lanka and is one of the most valued tourist attractions in the country. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient city and fortress is one of eight world heritage sites in Sri Lanka, but is definitely the most popular. It is also called the Lion Rock because of the a huge rock that rises 200 m above the forested area around it. The design of the Sigiriya is supposedly so futuristic for the time it was built, in the 5th century AD, that its construction is believed to have been the work of aliens. It is counted as one of the wonders of the ancient world and legends is steeped in myth and legend. There is even a belief that Sigiriya was constructed by the engineer god Vishwakarma for Kuwera, known as the treasurer of the gods. However, historical records show that this massive structure was actually built by King Kashyapa. You can still see the remnants of the ancient city on either side of the massive rock structure, including, most notably a pair of lion paws that guard the staircase that leads to the summit.

The Temple of the Tooth:

The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, is believed to be home to the left upper canine of Lord Buddha. It is also called Sri Dalada Maligawa and was built in the 17th century. According to legend, the tooth was taken from the mouth of Lord Buddha as he was engulfed by the flames of his funeral pyre in India, and in 313 AD was smuggled into Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamali as she escaped from Hindu armies. Today, this legendary relic of Lord Buddha is kept in two-story inner shrine in the temple complex. At the entrance of the shrine stand two elephant tusks, since the elephant was favoured by Lord Buddha.  Inside the shrine, the tooth sits on a solid gold lotus flower, which itself is encased by jewelled caskets and sits on a throne. The interiors of all the temples and the main shrine itself are decorated with ivory, lacquer and inlaid wood. This famous tooth that supposedly belonged to Lord Budhha is taken out of the temple once every year. The 10-day parade of elephants, drummers and dignitaries is called the Esala Perahara and is considered one of the biggest Buddhist celebrations in the world. Whether you manage to catch it or not, the famous temple and its legendary relic is definitely worth a visit during your Sri Lanka tour packages.