Sri Lanka: Land of Spiritual Treasures

Sri Lanka is a country with a rich spiritual heritage, and its many pilgrimage sites attract visitors from around the world. Here's a look at some of its most important and revered sites:

Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

Adam's Peak is a mountain that is considered sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. It is home to a footprint-shaped indentation that is believed to be the footprint of Adam, Buddha, Shiva, or St. Thomas, depending on the religion.

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka for over 1,000 years and is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It is home to many ancient ruins, including stupas, dagobas, and monasteries.

Dafter Jailani

Dafter Jailani is a Sufi shrine in Beruwala, Sri Lanka. It is believed to be a site where a Muslim saint meditated and attained enlightenment.

Dafther Jailany Mohiyadeen Jumma Masjid

A mosque located in Beruwala, Sri Lanka, and an important Islamic pilgrimage site in the country.

Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple of Dambulla)

The Dambulla Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to five caves filled with Buddhist statues and murals. It is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka.

Dawatagha Mosque

Dawatagha Mosque is a historical mosque located in Colombo, believed to have been originally built in the 18th Century.

Devinuwara Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya

A Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu in Dondra, at the southernmost point of Sri Lanka. It's one of the country's most significant Hindu shrines.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is a sacred fig tree. It is said to have grown from a sapling of the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites for Buddhists.

Kandy

Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most important shrines.

Kataragama Kiri Vehera

An ancient Buddhist stupa located within the Kataragama temple complex, a site sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, and the island's Indigenous Vedda people.

Kataragama Mosque, Sri Lanka

A mosque within the Kataragama religious complex in Sri Lanka. It sits alongside Hindu and Buddhist temples as a symbol of multi-faith devotion.

Keerimalai Naguleawaram Temple

Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple is a historic Hindu temple in Kankesanthurai, on the northern coast of Sri Lanka, dedicated to Shiva.

Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya

Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple near Colombo, Sri Lanka, believed to be a site the Buddha visited during his third trip to the island.

Koneshwaram Temple

Koneshwaram Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. It is located on Swami Rock in Trincomalee and is dedicated to the god Shiva.

Mandur Kandaswami Temple

A historic Hindu temple located in Mandur in eastern Sri Lanka.

Matale Aluvihara Raja Maha Viharaya

A significant Buddhist temple in Matale, renowned for the location where the Pali Tripitaka, the Buddhist scriptures, were first written down.

Mihintale

Mihintale is where Buddhism is believed to have been introduced to Sri Lanka. It's a significant pilgrimage site and place of monastic ruins.

Mt. Ritagala-kanda

A mountain in central Sri Lanka believed to hold medicinal and mystical powers. It may hold significance for Buddhist pilgrims.

Munneswaram Kovil

Munneswaram Kovil is a historic Hindu temple complex on Sri Lanka's western coast, dedicated to Shiva, and one of five ancient Shiva temples on the island.

Nagapeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya

Nagapooshani Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple on Nainativu Island, off the coast of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. It is one of the Shakti Peethas and is dedicated to the goddess Nagapooshani Amman.

Nallur Kanthaswamy Temple

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is a significant Hindu temple complex in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. It is dedicated to the god Murugan.

Okanda

Okanda is a beachside destination on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, known for its Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to the god Murugan.

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka and is home to many ancient ruins, including Buddhist and Hindu temples and monasteries.

Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya

Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya is the main shrine within the Kataragama temple complex, a site sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, and the island's Indigenous Vedda people. It is dedicated to the god Skanda-Murugan.

Seetha Eliya Temple

A Hindu temple located in the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka. It is believed to be a location significant within the Ramayana epic.

Shrine Of Our Lady Of Madhu

The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu is a Roman Catholic Marian shrine in Mannar district, Sri Lanka. It's a significant national pilgrimage site for Catholics.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to an ancient rock fortress and palace ruins. It is a popular tourist destination and also holds religious significance.

Sri Dalada Maligawa, Temple of the Tooth

The Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is one of the most important Buddhist temples in the world. It houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.

Sri Kannahi Amman Alayam

A significant Hindu temple in Trincomalee on Sri Lanka's east coast.

Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam

A Hindu temple in Colombo dedicated to the goddess Mariamman.

Sri Nagapooshani Amman Kovil

A Hindu temple in Jaffna dedicated to the goddess Nagapooshani Amman.

Sri Partha Sarathi Temple, Udappu

A Hindu temple in Udappu dedicated to the god Krishna.

Sri Veerapathra Kali Amman Kovil, Udappu

A Hindu temple in Udappu dedicated to the goddess Kali.

St. Anne's Shrine, Thalawila

A Roman Catholic shrine in Thalawila dedicated to Saint Anne.

Thirukketeeswaram Kovil

A Hindu temple in Trincomalee dedicated to the god Shiva.

Thissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara

A Buddhist temple in Tissamaharama.

Thissamaharama Stupa

A Buddhist stupa in Tissamaharama.

Thondaimannaru

A Hindu temple in Trincomalee dedicated to the god Shiva.

Tirukkovi

A Hindu temple in Trincomalee dedicated to the god Vishnu.

Trincomalee

A town on the east coast of Sri Lanka that is home to several Hindu and Buddhist temples.

Udappu

A town in northern Sri Lanka that is home to several Hindu temples.

Vallipura Aalvar Kovil

A Hindu temple in Jaffna dedicated to the god Vishnu.

Verugal Kovil (Sri Murugan Kovil)

A Hindu temple in Trincomalee dedicated to the god Murugan.