7 Unique Cultural Experiences to Explore in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ is an island with a rich history and culture that is still firmly rooted in the present. This beautiful island country has a very colourful history that has been influenced by history, religion and colour and art. Starting with Buddhist shrines to colonial architectures, Sri Lanka is a one-stop travel destination for those who want to get a feel of the country’s history. Whether you are a history lover, an art lover, or a seeker of spiritual solace, the cultural attractions in Sri Lanka will surely win your heart.
Dubai travelers will find Sri Lanka as the perfect destination, a place that will allow them to explore while at the same time relax. The island is easily accessible with Sri Lanka tour packages from Dubai and thus exotic. Such individualized programs let you peek into the history of the country’s culture by observing the modern and ancient practices that can be observed in religious temples, as well as participate in various brilliant festivals and interact with the local craftsmen. There is no part of Sri Lanka that does not have a cultural narrative etched into it in some way.
The planning for a visit to Sri Lanka is a preparation for a journey through time and tradition. The cultural attractions are to watch the spectacle of Kandy Esala Perahera, appreciate the delicate work in batik and handloom fabrics and to taste the delicious food. If it is a single trip or a group tour or even a family vacation, Sri Lanka holiday packages from Dubai are a sure shot way to explore culture as well as adventure hand in hand.
Here are the 7 Unique Cultural Experiences to Explore in Sri Lanka
1. Sri Lanka is home to one of the oldest cities in the world
Anuradhapura is an archeological site that has been identified to be over 2,000 years old and was the capital city of Sri Lanka for over a thousand years. It is one of the famous historical and religious landmarks in Sri Lanka and it gives a tourist an opportunity to travel back in time. The city is famed for many religious shrines; the Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest tree in the world, grew from a sapling that was obtained from the tree under which Buddha got enlightened.
The city also hosts well preserved and magnificent ruins of ancient palaces, Temples and big stupas like the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa and the Jetavanaramaya Stupa to name a few which clearly depict the architectural genius of ancient Sri Lankans. A visit to this place gives one an exciting historical tour of the religious and cultural development of Sri Lanka.
2. See the Kandy Esala Perahera Festival
Kandy which is the city of cultural significance of Sri Lanka is famous for the Esala Perahera which is a festival held in July or August. The festival is celebrated in the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, with the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. The procession is also colorful with almost hundreds of drummers, dancers, fire eaters and beautifully decorated elephants moving within the streets of Kandy.
The Esala Perahera is a great way to get a feel of Sri Lankan culture and the religion of the country. By attending this festival you will have an opportunity to observe one of the most significant cultural and religious events of the country. A lot of travel packages on Sri Lanka from Dubai also let you arrive during the Perahera, so you won’t miss this incredible event.
3. Discover the colonial history of Galle Fort
Galle Fort is located on the south-western coast of Sri Lanka and is a living testimony of the colonial heritage with Sri Lankan style buildings. Constructed in the 16th century by the Portuguese and later enlarged by the Dutch, the fort is a Unesco World Heritage site that gives evidence of Sri Lankan colonial past.
Wandering through the tight network of streets, one can notice the colonial architecture of the houses, old churches, Dutch-style houses, and cute cafes. This fort is famous for its lighthouse and the walls of the fort and if you climb up there you get a good view of the Indian Ocean. Visit the art and craft shops that display the traditional products like batik and lace and get absorbed in the Dutch, Portuguese and Sri Lankan cultures that Galle Fort offers.
4. Experience Local Life through Village Tour
If you want to get a closer look at the true Sri Lankan culture, it will be useful to take a tour of the village. These tours are intended to give the visitors a view of the lifestyles of the country folk in Sri Lanka. The package usually involves a tour on a bullock cart through the countryside where you will go to the paddy fields, tea estates and markets.
One of the main attractions of these tours is the possibility of watching a cooking show, during which you can learn how to cook Sri Lankan rice and curry or hoppers – a thin pancake made from rice flour. Living with the local people and getting involved in their activities such as fishing or farming will give you a good feel of Sri Lanka’s rural lifestyle and values.
5. Learn About Batik and Handloom Weaving
Textile art in Sri Lanka has a rich history and there are two most famous types of creations – batik and handloom weaving. Batik is a process of fabric dyeing in which wax is used to make designs on the fabric while handloom weaving is a process of making textiles by weaving cotton or silk on a traditional loom.
In towns such as Kandy, Colombo and Ambalangoda, tourists can also visit studios where they can observe craftsmen at work and even participate in the creation of their own batik art or hand woven fabric. These experiences afford a real cultural feel and a chance to have a local experience souvenir. Some of the craft centers are now part of Sri Lanka tour packages from Dubai where tourists can get to learn more about the art history in Sri Lanka.
6. Watch a Show by a Kandyan Dance Troupe
UdaRata dance also known as Kandyan dance is one of the oldest forms of Sri Lankan traditional dances. The dances, to the accompaniment of drums, describe episodes of prehistoric legends of Sri Lanka, and these may include gods, kings and warriors.
Today there are many opportunities to see the Kandyan dance in Kandy or nearby because now there are professionals who put on bright costumes and perform beautiful and energetic movements that impress the audience. The performances are given during religious festivals hence it is the best cultural event to watch during your visit.
7. Taste Sri Lankan food with a Culinary Tour
Sri Lankan food is a perfect blend of the country’s diverse culture which has borrowed a lot from India, Portugal and the Netherlands. Food tours in Sri Lanka are a great way to discover Sri Lankan cuisine, from rice and curry to hopper and kottu roti.
During the tour you will be able to taste exotic tropical fruits, fresh seafood and traditional sweets which can be bought in local markets and in the street cafes. If you want to get more active, you can go to the cooking classes, where cooks will show you how to cook Sri Lankan meals using real Sri Lankan products and methods.
Conclusion
Cultural experiences of Sri Lanka are as colorful as its geography. Be it ancient temples and forts, lively festivals and exotic food, there is something for every history and culture lover in the island. If you are a lover of history and culture then Sri Lanka is a place you should consider visiting, and what better way than to book holiday packages from Dubai.
These are some of the special experiences which if incorporated in well planned itineraries, provide the best of Sri Lanka heritage with all the comforts of a planned tour. Do not hesitate – start organizing your Sri Lanka vacation right now and get an unforgettable experience!
