In the dusty plains of North Central Sri Lanka lie the famed Cultural Triangle. Home to a number of ancient ruins, it is one of the best spots to discover Sri Lanka’s kaleidoscopic past. Here is a list of the top things to know about the Cultural Triangle Sri Lanka.
The naming behind it
Why a triangle you might ask, and fairly so. Well, that’s because the Cultural Triangle comprises of three prominent locations. When connected, they form a triangle that has many other points of interest within it. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa form two points while the city of Kandy forms the other.
It has a number of ancient kingdoms
Towards the north is Anuradhapura. One of the oldest cities in world history, some of the ruins date back to over two thousand years. Towards the south is Kandy where the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka was based. While the two kingdoms are not related, they both have structures and beliefs that have shaped up throughout the centuries.
The Dagobas
Also referred to as stupas, these are religious structures built as a place of worship in Buddhism. Anuradhapura has three massive dagobas, one of which is estimated to be around three thousand years old. It is quite a humbling experience to witness and most guest houses in Anuradhapura such as Yoho Avinro Garden Hotel or Yoho Buddhagaya Mawatha can organise excursions to these timeless sights should you wish to see them.
Expect to see plenty of sculptures
Decorating temples with sculptures of Buddha is a common custom in Buddhism and it is no different in temples inside the Cultural Triangle. You can find a number of sculptures that not only depict the Buddha in various poses but also depict other significant creatures like elephants. Other noteworthy examples of Buddhist architecture include massive moonstones. Look for them by the entrances to temples.
Cave temples
Aside from the millennia-old temples in the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the Cultural Triangle is also home to the Dambulla Cave Temple. As the name implies, the temple is set within a number of caves inside a massive granite rock outcrop. The compound consists of a cluster of five temples, a glittering golden Buddha and a long sculpture of Buddha that has been carved out of the granite wall. A fine display of ancient ingenuity, a visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple is a must for anyone looking to gain a peek into Sri Lanka’s culture.
