Asked what’s the most attractive destination in Sri Lanka’s Western Province, we do not hesitate to recommend a visit of Pilikuththuwa. The reason is the highly attractive blend of ancient cave temples in an undisturbed living forest monastery in an enchanting natural setting. Pilikuththuwa is easy to reach from Colombo or Negombo or Pinnawela, but almost unknown to foreign travellers, although it’s a quite large heritage site with lots of fascinating places such as jungle paths, vantage points, caves with historical inscriptions, Kandyan sculptures and paintings, stupas, monks’ cells, Hindu shrines, wooden bridge, boulder garden etc.

Find a detailed description of Pilikuththuwa here…

Beruwela is remarkable for two reasons. It’s the most popular beach destination in Sri Lanka’s Western Province, located at its southern boundary. Neighbouring Bentota belongs to the Southern Province. The agglomeration of Beruwela, Aluthgama and Bentota offers the widest range of accommodation available in coastal towns of Sri Lanka.

Secondly, Beruwela offers a variety of tourist attractions, such as a light house island, the fishing harbour, the huge Buddha statue of Kande Viharaya or the charming and artistic Brief Garden. Beruwela is a traditional centre of Sri Lanka’s Muslim population. Many of the so-called Sri Lankan Moors are gem merchants, living in the northern area of “China Fort and Maradana” close to the harbour. The Kecheemalai mosque on a rocky peninsula protecting and overlooking the harbour was the first place in Sri Lanka that served as a Muslum place of worship. The highly benerated mosque, originally established by Somalian traders, is now redesigned in a historicising or colonial style.

More about Beruwela’s attractions...

Situated 10 km inland from Beruwela, Brief Garden was the country home of Bevis Bawa, the older brother of Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa. Brief Garden garden inspired him to create his own landscape garden in nearby Lunuganga. The 8 hectare property of Brief Garden has been open to the public since 1970. Visitors take an independent walk by themselves through the ladscape garden. The beloved Frangipanis are among the more than 100 tree species of the garden. Visitors will finally be guided in the main house with several works of art produced here. It used to be the residence of Bevis Bawa and a long-time abode of other artists who lived here as his guests.

More Brief Garden images and information...

The small Ambalama of Awariyawala is a typical example of an ancient Sri Lankan bothy, a wooden shelter for paddy farmers from the nearby village and for pilgrims from far-awayy places alike. Awariyawala is a little bit hidden in the area of Siyane Korale near Yakkale, which is crowded with cave temples. More...

Many heritage tourists know the impressive Buddha statues of Polonnaruwa and Aukana in the Cultural Triangle and Buduruwagala in the southern plains of Sri Lanka. But did you know that there is a huge rock-cut statue not far from Negombo? It is also ancient. However, it is much less attractive, as it is plastered in coloured in a gaudy modern fashion now. We are talking about the rock-hewn Buddha statue of Maboda, that can be seen in the background of the photo behind glass. Find where it is and what else can be seen at the Maboda temple here...

You have visited Sri Lanka many times and think you know all the amazing sites? But what’s this? Where is that boulder shown on the photo above? It’s not in Myanmar/Birma, where the famous balancing rock of Kyaiktiyo is a gilded granite boulder and, admittedly, even more spectacular than that one shown on this photo.

Of course, the bove photo is taken in Sri Lanka. But don’t think, you only missed it, because that logan is situated in a remote part of the island! Not at all, it’s in only 10 m distance from Yakkala, which is a village at the Colombo-Kandy mainroad A1. Petthagangala - that’s the name of the temple - is only 40 km away from Colombo’s town centre. Petthigala – that’s the name of the balancing rock - is one of the attractions in the surroundings of Maligatenna. There are many interesting destinations in the wilderness of the Siyane Korale area in Gampaha District near Colombo.    

The word “Petthagangala”, stressed on the first syllable, does simply mean “rocking stone” or “balancing boulder”. Indeed, the granite boulder lies on a slope in very short distance to a vertical slope. Like the Kyaiktiyo “Golden Rock” in Myanmar, Sri Lanka’s Petthagangala balancing rock carries a small dagoba (chedi) on top of it. The forest temple’s full name is transcribed “Pettha gam gala aranya senasnaya”.

As with other overhanging rocks in Sri Lanka, small sticks were attached by pilgrims to the Petthagangala rock, which apparently help to keep it in balance. These “pillars” are votive offerings of faithful pilgrims, who symbolically help to balance the rock, This way the devotees earn spirtual merits and share the aura of the sacred place. Actually, the reason why the balancing rock can remain stable in this position is: It’s definitely a miracle!

Find more about the exact location of Petthagangala here...