When travelling to the south of the tropical island of Sri Lanka, stop by the town of Ahangama, which is known to be a popular tourist spot and a great surf destination. Searching for the right place to rest and indulge in the Island’s goodness isn’t a cumbersome task as there are various luxury villas in Sri Lanka such as the newly built Pebbles Beach Villa. When staying at Ahangama, be sure to look in to Kathaluwa Village, which is a quiet town with a few hidden secrets located in the town of Koggala. One of these less visited places is the Giniwella Purana Temple which is known for its unique stupa, 19th century paintings and an ancient printing machine.
The popular murals are preserved and are held inside the old Budu Ge, and although photography inside the temple is not permitted, one can spend as much time as possible to gaze at these ancient paintings and the stories that unfold within them. The paintings are derived from the influence of Kandyan and Western styles, as the link is made from a mix of local materials. Of all the paintings, the two that stand out the most and are known to be more significant is the painting depicting a group of European soldiers holding guns and parading in a Buddhist procession, while the other paiting shows ArhathKashyapa Thera mourning the loss of the Buddha and pay his respects at MahaParinirvana.
The historic printing press also resided in the premises and in 1860; the first Sri Lankan newspaper was published known as Lankalokaya. The machine was believed to have been brought from the UK.
Visitors can also visit the nearby Turtle Hatchery that was established in 1996 in order to conserve the turtle population in Sri Lankan waters, and end the cruel trade of fisherman poaching or selling them for food.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
