Sri Lanka’s southern coastline is famous for its spectacular beaches and warm hospitality. There’s so many things to do and see along the coastal belt that you’ll have a hard time choosing just a few, however once you look past all the well-known tourist sites, you’ll start to really discover a country with deep cultural ties to its people and beautiful locations brimming with history.
Accommodation wise, try opting for a health conscious Ayurveda hotel in Sri Lanka, such as the Amba Ayurveda Boutique Hotel, for instance, which provides traditional Ayurveda practices within a luxuriously relaxing setting. Ayurveda teachings have become more popular over the years for those looking for natural ways to relax and stay healthy, inside and out.
When it comes to unique locations that stand out, the Sri Pushparama Maha Viharaya in Balapitiya, is definitely one of them. At first glance, the high arch doors and floral motifs around the windows give the impression of an old colonial church; however, it is in fact the prayer hall of the main Buddhist temple in the town.
No one knows how the temple came to have this unique architecture, but, depending on who you ask, there are two theories. One is that the structure was indeed built for a church, but later abandoned and then donated to the Buddhist temple. The other theory is that it was meant to be a mosque which was also abandoned. To further complicate the matter, the building’s facade features a large British insignia and the date 2414 in the Buddhist calendar year.
Inside, the hall looks like a disused church, until your eyes land on the beautiful Buddha statue, placed on a raised platform at one end of the building. Two withered looking ebony staircases lead up to the statue of Buddha. On either side of the halls, three arched doors lead to long, narrow verandas with a short wall, another structural feature that resembles a church. Whatever the story behind the structure, it’s worth paying a visit, just to see the unusual blend of religious architecture.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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