Gangaramaya Temple One of
several temples in the capital
that have high-profile celebra-
tions through the year. (p63)
Mulkirigala Hiding inside a
series of cleft-like caves and
dangling off a rocky crag is this
beautiful and little-visited temple.
(p128)
Temple of the Sacred Tooth
Relic Containing a tooth of the
Buddha, this is the heart and
soul of Sri Lankan Buddhism.
(p145)
Sri Maha Bodhi The world’s old-
est documented human-planted
living tree is the focus of this
very sacred site in the heart of
Anuradhapura. (p215)
Mihintale This temple of legends
has more than 1800 legendary
steps to its mountaintop location.
(p223)
Nagadipa A simple temple on a
little island in the far north where
the Buddha, legend goes, once
visited. (p275)
Wildlife
The island may be small
but the animals are big,
especially the herds of Asian
elephants that live inside
and outside the national
parks. Leopards and water
buffaloes are just some of
the other creatures.
Yala National Park Drawing
crowds like only a spotty big
cat can, a leopard safari in Yala
National Park is a Sri Lankan
highlight. (p138)
Uda Walawe National Park If
you’ve ever wanted to see a wild
elephant, you’re unlikely to find a
better place to do so than at this
park. (p188)
Minneriya National Park
Already a good place to see
elephants and other animals, this
park is the site of ‘the Gathering’,
when more than 400 pachy-
ERIC ISAAC / GETTY IMAGES ©
BHAGIRAJ SIVAGNANASUNDARAM / GETTY IMAGES ©
Top: Making an offering to Buddha, Galle (p104)
Bottom: Beach, Batticaloa lighthouse (p245)
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