Glad that my Sri Lankan sojourn turned out scintillating and truly felt a mixed bag of emotions akin to the contrasting landscapes the nation offers its enthusiastic travellers. Amazing to get soaked in the country’s very ancient temple sites which all seem to date several thousand years back and you get to see the almighty without much shoving and pushing by the devotees.
We had visited innumerable Temples which comprise the sacred Ramayana Trails and once you enter the sanctum sanctorum a sense of eternal calm engulfs you irrespective of whichever temple you visit . Each temple is located amidst truly scenic and picturesque backdrops and getting there itself seemed to be an incredible experience. The nation is an enigmatic fusion of lush green forests, serene tranquil beaches , forts, and several historic Hindu and Buddhist temples known for its magnificent grandeur.
What stood out for me amongst all monuments is the ancient temple of tooth relic in the heart of Kandy. The long walk leading you to this Buddhist shrine leaves you completely spellbound and mesmerized especially the intricate designs in the ceiling and the exquisite stone carvings which transcends you to another world filled with complete tranquility and you at least temporarily seem to be cut off from the cacophony of the outside world. You wonder about how ardently certain rituals have been followed for centuries .
In addition to visiting historic monuments in some frenetic pace the boat ride in Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya amidst idyllic settings truly stood out and was surely therapeutic for frayed nerves.
Finally when we reached Colombo my immediate thought was that the city seemed to be an eclectic blend of ancient heritage sites and modernism fused in complete cohesion. The Galle Face Green beach a Five hectare ocean promenade seemed to me an idyllic setting for long strolls and sipping hot chocolate as the sun sets and turns the waves golden would be a perfect vacation moment for any weary traveller.The iconic lotus clock tower in the city centre symbolising the nation’s development is a must visit for some special photography moments.
As the tour was winding up for me the important aspect was meeting people from different walks of life and learning from their experiences. Had to pay my encomiums to people who were travelling in their advanced age but truly no less when it came to their zest and vigour in negotiating their way towards tough terrains .
Travel definitely teaches you empathy ,resilience , adaptability , surely broadens perspectives and more significantly the importance of valuable experiences over materialistic possessions. Truly all this was made possible by Mr.Balaji and Ms.Janani from Mantra Travels without whom exploring these difficult terrains would have been a herculean task.
