The island of Sri Lanka is known for its extreme beauty. Its appeal lies in the fact that it is small enough that one can visit almost all major attractions in the span of a short vacation. Yet, despite its size, the island nation is composed of astoundingly diverse landscapes. One can move from the golden, sandy beaches to misty, tree covered mountains in a matter of hours, making Sri Lanka the ideal spot for ecotourism. The tropical island also has a wealth of historical and cultural attractions that are worth visiting. These are spread throughout the country.
The Munneswaram Temple is an important temple complex and a renowned local cultural landmark. Thought to have existed circa 1000 CE, the Hindu temple is closely associated with the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu text. The temple is just one of five major ancient temples dedicated to the Hindu deity, Shiva, found in the region. The complex is composed of five separate temples, including a Buddhist one. The main structure, found at the centre, was constructed in honour of Shiva and is the most well-known in the country. The other structures are devoted to Kali, Ayyanayake and Ganesha.
The holy site has an interesting history as befitting its age. It is thought to have been constructed by the Pattava chiefs, who also took care of it. The ancient temple even issued its own coins during the eleventh century and the site itself was destroyed twice by Portuguese invaders. It is situated in Puttalam and will make an interesting day excursion from Negombo.
Negombo is a city situated on the island’s western coast. It is a popular tourist destination thanks to its beaches. Since it is so close to the airport, the best time to visit Negombo is either on the way in or out of the country. Tourists looking for a good hotel in Negombo next to a great beach can try Club Hotel Dolphin. Offering an amazing range of services, this Negombo hotel is located roughly twenty kilometres from the international airport and is an excellent place to relax and unwind in amidst tranquil coastal splendour and enchanting ocean breezes.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
