Negombo located near the international airport at Katunayake is a fishing village turned thriving tourist hub with the fishing industry playing a major role in the economy of the town. Due to its multi-racial community there are diverse religions in Negombo. Another feature in Negombo are the many Ayurveda Sri Lanka resorts and if you are looking for high quality holistic wellness with comfort and tranquility thrown in Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions would be a good option.
Many locals in the western coastal belt embraced Christianity during colonial times and the people of Negombo were no exception. Due to its strong Catholic influence Negombo is known as ‘Little Rome’. St.Mary’s Church is a historical and beautiful Catholic church on Grand Street in the heart of Negombo town. Built in 1874, it is one of the largest churches in Sri Lanka and is built in the neoclassic style. The upper walls have sculptures of saints fixed on them. On the ceiling are unique paintings on the life of Christ done by Buddhist painter N.S. Godamanne. while the nave too contains beautiful paintings. St.Sebastian’s (Patron Saint of Negombo) Church also known as the Katuwapitiya Church is modeled on the Cathedral of Reims in France and is gothic in style. The Anglican Church of St. Stephen’s is a picturesque Gothic edifice standing on a mound overlooking the Negombo lagoon. There are churches belonging to other Christian denominations too.
The Angurukaramulla Temple has an epic Buddha statue and a dragon entrance and murals going back many centuries. It also has the ruins of a historic library. Abayasekararamaya,(Podi Pansala) and Dutugamunu Viharaya are other noteworthy temples. Among the many elaborate Hindu Kovils in Negombo the Sri Muthumariamman Temple built in the Dravidian style and the Sri Thiruchenthuran Murugan Temple draw many worshippers. Of the many Muslim mosques in Negombo the Grand Street Jumma Mosque is one of the biggest in Sri Lanka while the Kamachchoda Jumma Masjid is one of the oldest in the country.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+
