2 min summary When to go Map & itineraries Things to do Beaches Buddhist culture Wildlife Northern Sri Lanka Sigiriya rock fortress Families Advice Responsible tourism

Buddhism & cultural tourism in Sri Lanka

Buddhism is at the heart of cultural holidays in Sri Lanka, whether you are visiting the ancient sites of the great Sinhalese Kings who brought Buddhism here, or visiting a contemporary temple or monastery. Or just meeting local people, with over 90 per cent of Sri Lankans being Buddhist. The four leaves on their flag even represent those of the sacred Bo tree, and the four pillars of Buddhism: pillars of Buddhism, which translate as Kindness, Friendliness, Equanimity and Happiness.

Home\Asia\Sri Lanka

Buddhism & cultural tourism in Sri Lanka

It is reassuring in this day and age where, in tourism, the branded often overshadows the bone fide, that cultural holidays in Sri Lanka have something truly meaningful at their core. And that is Buddhism. It has been, and continues to be, the leading light that guides tourists here. Many are followers of Buddha from around the world, others simply fascinated by the religion’s history, the architecture associated with it as well as contemporary sacred practices.

No matter what your beliefs, it is hard not to be struck by the serenity, spiritualism and committed service of Buddhist monks seen at many of the country’s temples, whether they are ancient museum pieces or contemporary places of worship. Beira Lake, a landmark in the capital city of Colombo, for example, is home to hundreds of monks at Gangaramaya Temple. And there are thousands of monks in and around the Kandy region, where the Sri Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth is located, housing the sacred tooth belonging to Buddha. There are, in fact, 6,000 Buddhist monasteries in Sri Lanka with approximately 15,000 monks and, in many places, from the jungles to the beaches, you will hear chanting coming from all directions at sunrise.

See all our Sri Lanka Holidays

Give us a call

Our Sri Lanka Holidays

The ancient Buddhist sites

A sapling of the Bodhi or Bo tree, sacred in Buddhism, was brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE by the son of great Indian emperor Ashoka leading to the establishment of Sri Lanka’s first Buddhist monasteries and shrines. During this period, the kingdom was ruled by Sinhalese Kings at Anuradhapura. The ruins of this ancient city, part of the Cultural Triangle, are a very important place of pilgrimage in Sri Lanka still today. Particularly for people to honour Buddha at the Bo tree shoot.

Polonnaruwa is another important place for Buddhist pilgrims, as it took over as capital and strived to protect Buddhism after it suffered under invading forces between 5th and 11th centuries. A magnificent and compact site, with superbly kept ruins, the stone carvings of Buddha are highly revered, and the whole site has gained UNESCO World Heritage status.

Dambulla Caves and the Golden Temple date back to the 1st century BCE, so pilgrims have been trekking here barefoot for millennia now. A magnificent site, this is a sacred cave complex packed with Buddhist statues, adorned with hand painted frescoes depicting the life of Buddha, and was the hiding place of a Sinhalese King hiding from Hindu Tamils.

Mihintale is the hill top temple site where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE. A beautiful location surrounded by verdant hills, and the climb up 1,840 steps (ideally barefooted) to see the giant Buddha, is certainly an uplifting experience.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Sri Lanka or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Kandy & Buddhism

Kandy is like a central node from which Buddhism emanates out to all corners of Sri Lanka. This is because it was the 15th century capital city, founded by the Kings of Kandy who also battled to preserve Buddhism during this and following centuries as Dutch, Portuguese and British colonists attempted to erase it. This culminated in the British capturing Kandy in 1815, deposing the Sinhalese king whose line had ruled here for over 2,000 years. As with all previous colonisers, conversion to Christianity was encouraged and, in order to gain good positions of work for example, was compulsory.

The Buddhist revival

The 19th century saw a Buddhist revival, thanks to the progressive Panadura debate in 1873, held in the town of the same name, just south of Colombo. This peaceful working together of Christian and Buddhist leaders led to a slow but sure resurrection of Buddhism. In 1880, for example, there were only three Buddhist schools left, and by 1940 there were over 400. It also led to Buddhist marriages being legally recognised once more.

The Buddhist revival

Vesak & Buddhist festivals

Another feature of the Buddhist revival was recognition of Vesak as a public holiday, which is still one of the most important events in the Sri Lankan and worldwide Buddhist calendar. Celebrated on the day of May’s full moon, it commemorates various Buddhist events on one occasion, including Siddhartha Gautama’s birth and then him becoming Buddha, the Enlightened One. Vesak is also known as Buddha Day, and it is a time when you will see many monks and pilgrims in Sri Lanka, the giving of alms, lanterns being lit and much chanting and devotional songs.

Other Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka include Poya, held every full moon. Each Poya is given its own name, such as Madin in March and Bak in April. Poson Full Moon Poya, in June, is particular to Sri Lanka as it celebrates Buddhism’s introduction to the country in the 3rd century BCE. This is celebrated throughout the country but the most famous spot to do so is Mihintale, where Buddhism was introduced. New Year, or Aluth Avurudda is celebrated in April, by both Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus. This coincides with the annual harvest, so abundant fruit and vegetables are on offer along with traditional music, dancing and all round merriment.

Etiquette

Etiquette at Buddhist sites & temples

These great sites in Sri Lanka are not Pisas or Eiffels. They are very sacred sites, and need to be treated with respect, as do those who come to worship here. So please be sensitive. Men and women should dress modestly, keeping arms, legs and just about everything covered, in fact – with the exception of your feet, as you must remove your shoes. And ideally your clothes should be white. You can buy plenty of white clothes in local markets for this purpose.

You shouldn’t take photos of Buddha statues, nor should you have (or reveal) a Buddha tattoo. Please be aware that you shouldn’t enter a temple having eaten meat or drunk alcohol, and do be sensitive about taking photos of monks or nuns – or, indeed, pilgrims.

Etiquette

Bo Leaves

The leaves of the sacred Bo or Bodhi tree are represented on the Sri Lankan flag. They represent the four pillars of Buddhism, which translate as Kindness, Friendliness, Equanimity and Happiness. No wonder Sri Lanka is such a wonderful place to holiday.

More about Sri Lanka

Best time to visit Sri Lanka

When working out the best time to visit Sri Lanka, you need to work around its two monsoons, or just not worry about it and bring a brolly.

Sri Lanka responsible travel guide

Whether you are following in the footsteps of Paul Theroux and travelling by train, discovering the former colonial world of the tea plantations, wildlife watching in rainforests, or just blissing out at the beach, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. And as for the food – that just ticks everyone’s boxes.

Sri Lanka highlights

The most glimmering Sri Lanka highlights are the ancient archaeological and sacred wonders of the Golden Triangle. But this teardrop island has so many other glittering gems too.

Things to do in Sri Lanka

You can’t really go to Sri Lanka and not touch one of the points on the Golden Triangle. But with beaches, wildlife and Ayurvedic spas, there are endless activities.

Sri Lanka beach holidays

White sands, swaying palms and all year round heat in the high 20s makes Sri Lanka beach bliss. There are, in fact, 1,600km of beaches here.

Blue whale watching in Sri Lanka

As if Sri Lanka didn’t ooze magic from every pore already, blue whales are jumping out of the ocean to upstage the other natural wonders for a few weeks between February and mid March.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

From the Sri Lanka blue magpie to the Sri Lanka leopard, the great Asian elephant to the ginormous blue whale, Sri Lanka has stupendous wildlife.

Cooking & food holidays in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a culinary paradise, where fresh local ingredients, sizzling spices and recipes bequeathed by a history of colonisation create a diverse and delicious culinary scene.

Northern Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka translates as ‘resplendent island’ in Sanskrit and after years of conflict both north and south are now united and gloriously resplendent.

Sri Lanka tea plantations

The British introduced tea to Sri Lanka in 19th century and visiting plantations today is like returning to a slightly archaic genteel age. Where everything is solved with a cuppa.

Sigiriya rock fortress

Not for those with vertigo, Sigiriya is a 200m-tall rock fortress that sprouts out of the plains of northeast Sri Lanka.

Holidays to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Yala National Park steals the show on many a Sri Lanka holiday.

Sri lanka leopard safaris

Yala National Park is the key destination that big cat safaris in Sri Lanka focus on, as it's home to a higher concentration of leopards per square kilometre than anywhere else on the planet.

See Sri Lanka & the Maldives together

If you want a trip to the tropics that combines culture, history, nature and incredible Indian Ocean vistas then look no further – Sri Lanka and the Maldives are your perfect twosome.

Sri Lanka with kids

Travelling in Sri Lanka with kids is not only a journey through ancient culture, wildlife central and beach bliss, it is also a wonderful island of wonderfully welcoming families.

Sri Lanka travel advice

Our experts give great where, when, who and why Sri Lanka travel advice. Where to cycle, when to go, whom to meet and guide you and safari wisdom too.

Responsible tourism in Sri Lanka

There are many issues to take into account, sadly, when it comes to responsible tourism in Sri Lanka, and we encourage you to read on for more details.

All our Sri Lanka guides

Find all of our Sri Lanka guides in one place, for particular types of holiday we offer such as culture, cycling, wildlife or more. Choose from all our Sri Lanka guides

More relevant guides

Written by Catherine Mack

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: hassage] [Top box: Dave Lonsdale] [Anuradhapura: Dananjaya Chathuranga Photography] [Polonnaruwa: Hafiz Issadeen] [Dambulla Caves: S J Pinkney] [Mihintale: sampath s] [Kandy: McKay Savage ] [Buddhist revival: Ishan Manjrekar] [Vesak festival: Gerald Pereira] [Etiquette: S J Pinkney] [Sri Lanka flag: Zscout370 ]

Buddhism & cultural tourism in Sri Lanka