Kalutara (Kalutara) - a resort area in the south-west of the island, known for its sports clubs. This is an ideal place for lovers of water sports: windsurfing, scuba diving, water skiing, spearfishing and sailing.
Kalutara is the first city that meets on the way from Colombo. It stands on the river (or rather just behind it, if you look from Colombo) Kalu-Ganga, the "black river" is one of the largest in Sri Lanka. North of the bridge, which connects the two banks of the Kalu-Gangi, is a pretty beach with several fashionable hotels and a water entertainment center. For budget tourists there is nothing to catch.
Online search for vouchers and hotels of any category. Special offers!
Selection of tours to Sri Lanka from the travel agency TEZ Tour - instant confirmation. Hurry up !!!
Sightseeing tours "Treasures of Sri Lanka", "Culture and Nature", "Sri Lanka's Sights". Combined programs.
Tours with a guarantee. Discounts, promotions, profitable special offers.
All Sri Lanka is here!
How to get there
Kalutara is close enough to the capital of Sri Lanka, Lanki, just 42 km and 62 km from the international airport, so you can get by car, taxi, bus or train.
Search for air tickets to Colombo (the nearest airport to Kalutare)
Beaches Kalutary
Not for nothing "golden coast" is called the beaches of the region covered with coarse-grained sand, which show pleasant radiant heat. The entrance to the water is a steep slope, so during the storms do not swim. The beaches are surrounded by exuberant exotic vegetation, creating an atmosphere of seclusion and inaccessibility for the hustle and bustle of big cities.
- To come in February to the annual Parade of Navam Perakhera, which takes place in Kalutar on a big scale. It is on this day from the city Buddhist temple on the back of the largest elephant taken away the sacred relics, and thousands of people have the opportunity to worship them. And in the evening a dense blue sky is painted with lights of illuminations.
- Take an amazing water walk along the colorful river Kalu Ganga. The key place is the island of hermits
- As a souvenir to buy spices - curry, anchar sauce made from fruit with spices, red hot sauce "masala", the flavors of which will delight you in the kitchen.
- Bring it as a spiritual sacrifice the Bo tree, near the temple of Dagob Kalutara Vihara, a bouquet of flowers or fruit in return for enlightenment or the fulfillment of the most cherished desire.
- Visit the amazing beauty of the waterfall, which is a half hour drive by tuk-tuk. The cost of the trip there and back will be 10-20 $.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions Kalutary
The old Dutch channel and the ruins of the ancient fort have been preserved in the city. In addition, strolling along the streets of the resort, you can easily find two or three colonial style houses.
Undoubtedly, the most notable in the placer of historical landmark places in Sri Lanka is the stupa of Gangatilak Vihara so colossal that it can be seen even before the entrance in town. The stupa is also amazing because it is hollow, and this is an architectural rarity.
Dagoba Kalutara Vihara
In the vicinity of the city there is the oldest of Buddhist temples on the island of Sri Lanka - Dagoba Kalutara Vihara . The most valuable in the interior of the temple , of course, is a collection of 74 frescoes depicting paintings from the last earthly life of the Buddha and 550 of his previous lives . The temple stands on the spot visited by Prince Siddhartha (Buddha Shakyamuni) after spiritual enlightenment, and the main confirmation of this fact is the Holy Bo tree grown from a branch of a tree under which the Buddha got enlightenment . The most pleasant thing is that the temple still operates and every day its vaults are announced by the melodious singing of Buddhist monks performing the next enchanting ritual .
Other temples of Kalutara
The hall for sermons in the temple of Asokarama is filled with thousands of pilgrims every day, except for those who are poorly provided and who will be provided with help and support here. This is a charitable organization known in the religious world. And if you manage to visit the Buddhist ceremony of Pirit, consider that you saw one of the most wonderful religious events. Having a unique acoustics, the building opens its doors at night, a tired traveler can not only enjoy prayer, but also aromatic Ceylon tea.
The Christian church, which is also in Kalutar, is not deprived of attention, and on holidays along the main street of the city in the direction of the church are arranged evening processions of thousands of Sri Lankan Christians. Their snow-white clothes are waving in the wind, and thousands of lit candles light up the humble faces of magical lights.