The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka: Exploring Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Dambulla

Sri Lanka is a tourist destination with a variety of spots to explore, from ancient temples to beaches and different species of wildlife, one can discover multiple things with their Sri Lanka tour package. 

Considered a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a glimpse into the world of Sri Lanka’s culture and heritage, the cultural triangle is a must-visit for people during their trip to Sri Lanka. 

The cultural triangle of Sri Lanka comprises the cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Dambulla. These places are considered the primary locations for the development of Sinhalese Buddhist culture. 

Planning your trip to explore the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka might come off as a hassle to you. Hence, one can rely on the support of Nitsa Holidays which provides amazing deals for a perfect Sri Lanka holiday package. 

Exploring the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka

To discover the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, people first need to travel to Colombo to reach the different spots. However, people can still start their exploration directly from the city of Anuradhapura which is one of the cities under this cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. 

People will have to travel through different modes of communication such as trains, buses, and boat rides while being on their Sri Lanka package for vacations. Nitsa Holidays provides a brief itinerary for people to travel in Sri Lanka without any hassle. 

1. To the Ancient City of Anuradhapura 

The city of Anuradhapura is considered a hub of well-preserved ancient structures and was the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Survived as a capital city for hundreds of years, it was founded back during the 4th century. 

In today's world, the city is considered an important center for Buddhist people since it is built around the Bodhi tree which is considered as the place of enlightenment for Buddha. 

Some of the other places worth visiting around the city of Anuradhapura are Dagoba Abhayagiriya, Ruwanweliseya, and the Samadhi Buddha Statue. One can find the twin lakes around the city where people can relax for a while during their trip to Sri Lanka. 

2. The Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century AD. The place is majorly known for the impressive stone carvings done back in the time during the development of Sri Lanka. 

The architectural and engineering techniques of ancient Sri Lanka show the advanced mindset of people residing around the city. People should take a look at the Royal Palace which served as the place of residence for multiple Sri Lankan kings. 

One should also explore the Gal Vihara which is made of four different Buddha statues that are carved out of one single block of granite, marking it as one of the masterpieces of the Sinhalese Buddhists. 

3. Cave Temples in Dambulla 

Dambulla is a city in Sri Lanka that holds significance since it is home to the Dambulla cave temple which is one of the five caves that date back to the 1st century. This temple is famous majorly for its statues which depict the life of Buddha. 

People visiting the areas of Dambulla should know to cover this spot since it holds about 150 statues of Buddha carved back into history. 

Another spot to cover in this area is the Golden Temple of Dambulla which comprises the golden statue of Buddha surrounded with panoramic views of the surroundings. The best time to explore the Dambulla caves is during the dry season, mainly from May to September. 

The premise of temples around the city generally opens up early in the morning by 7 am and tends to close by the evening around 7 pm. People should try to visit such areas as early in the morning as possible to avoid crowds and other tourists during their Sri Lanka tour package.

Planning the Trip to the Cultural Triangle 

The Cultural Triangle is one of the most visited tourist spots in Sri Lanka. Hence people should consider following some factors like travelling during the dry seasons to travel with ease. People can take the help of Nitsa Holidays to outline their perfect package trip to Sri Lanka.