The pearl shaped island of Sri Lanka at the tip of the Indian sub-continent is home to a diverse terrain allowing a multitude of experiences to be had within a limited geographical space and within an even shorter period of time. The Kudumbigala Sanctuary and Monastery Complex is a wonderful testament to this fact.
The Kudumbigala Monastery is said to have been constructed during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa in 246 BC. The reign of King Devanampiyatissa was marked with a large number of contributions to the development and propagation of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the Kudumbigala Monastery demonstrates the extent of his commitment. It is said that the Monastery was initially constructed as a quiet haven for monks who wish to escape from the hustle and bustle of the major cities and recently discovered caves around the Monastery revealed that a cave known as Maha Sudharshana Lena was built and given to the monks by Nandimitra, one of King Dutugemunu’s famed Great Warriors.
Tourists who wish to gain an overall sense of all that the island has to offer should consider making an expedition out of visiting the monastery as well as the Kumana National Park. This national park is the island’s second largest and is home to a number of endemic species as well as migrant birds during various times of the year. When on a journey of the national park as well as the monastery, one would be exposed to the Okanda beach and the famous Bambaragasthalawa Buddha image. This would allow you to take in the natural beauty untouched by civilisation and even see elephants, crocodiles and a myriad of other wildlife species.
A Sri Lanka hotel guide should assist you when selecting accommodation in the area. However, if you wish, due to the limited geographical location, you can also opt to stay at Sri Lanka hotels in Arugam Bay for a different experience of the island. There are a number of chain hotels in the island and the John Keells Hotels Group is of particular interest, for hotels of this chain tend to be reputed and reliable and is sure to make your holiday in the island a memorable one.
