#igersella

[akhnatenmallya]

The blue train. The train journey from Kandy to Ella is today, a rite of passage for any traveler who visits Sri Lanka. As it chugs along on its seven-hour-long journey across paddy fields and through tunnels, you get a door-side view of the high hills and lush green tea plantations. It wasn’t always so though. It was built when the British transported tea from the hills of Kandy to the capital. What initially started as a 50 odd km rail line in 1864, has, today, expanded to over 1,500 km that runs through hills, along the coasts, and through villages across the country. There is something magical, and risky about hanging out of a moving train. It felt refreshing, as every turn along the journey was an opportunity to experience and appreciate an ever-changing landscape. Lush green paddy fields in small towns gave way to high hills with trees that towered even higher. As the train slowly snakes its way uphill and takes yet another turn, views of misty covered hilltops and stations would greet us, while tea pickers would stop work in the tea plantations, for just a few moments, to smile and wave back at delirious passengers trying to capture their photograph. Now, if this isn’t a journey that is pure unadulterated joy, then what is. _________________________________________ @nofixedaddrs #nofixedaddrs _________________________________________ So Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 #SoSriLanka #VisitSriLanka _________________________________________ ………. ……... …….. ……. …… ….. …. … .. . #ellatrain #ellasrilanka #outsidethetrain #trainphotography #trains #travelbytrain #knowSL #mustbeSriLanka #exploreSriLanka #travelsrilanka #lovesrilanka #amazingsrilanka #srilankadiaries #srilankatourism #feelsrilanka #srilankatravel #srilankatoday #srilankadaily #slbloggers #thisissrilanka #igersella #igerssrilanka #ig_srilanka (at Sri Lanka) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSJuJ_JMyGc/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhnatenmallya]

Old Parliament Building. While Colombo ceased to be the official capital of Sri Lanka in the 1980s, with the adjacent Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte taking over that mantle, it is the thriving commercial capital of Sri Lanka, home to over 5 million people. With its heady mix of religions and cultures, the influence of the early Arab settlers, the Portuguese, Dutch and later the English shows in the cuisine, architecture and fashion style of the Sinhalese of Colombo. Driving along Marine Drive in Colombo, it’s next to impossible to miss out on the old Parliament building. Built on reclaimed land, it is done in Neo-Baroque style. It currently houses the office of the Presidential  Secretariat. It was opened on the 29th of January 1930 and was home to the island’s legislature for 53 years, until moving to a more secure complex at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte in 1983 during the civil war. . . . Read more on the blog. Link in bio. _________________________________________ @nofixedaddrs #nofixedaddrs _________________________________________ So Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 #sosrilanka #visitsrilanka _________________________________________ ………. ……... …….. ……. …… ….. …. … .. . #oldparliamentbuilding #parliament #srilankaparliament #history #architecture #travelsrilanka #colombo #srilanka #srilankadiaries #urbanspaces #knowSL #mustbeSriLanka #exploreSriLanka #travelsrilanka #lovesrilanka #amazingsrilanka #srilankadiaries #srilankatourism #feelsrilanka #srilankatravel #srilankatoday #srilankadaily #slbloggers #thisissrilanka #igersella #igerssrilanka #ig_srilanka (at Old Parliament Building, Colombo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQvtqURsf7Q/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhnatenmallya]

The National Museum of Colombo. When the world opens up and if Sri Lanka is on your travel itinerary, then spare a day or two, or even half a day, to explore the many sights and sounds of Colombo. Most are concentrated around Colombo 1 or the Fort Area and Colombo 11 or Pettah, with a few a little bit further. One magnificent building you must see, even if you don't wish to enter is The National Museum of Colombo. Also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, it's one of two museums in Colombo and the largest in Sri Lanka. It was founded by the British governor of what was then known as Ceylon, Sir William Henry Gregory, on the 1st of January 1877. Spread across two floors and with many viewing galleries, It's the perfect place to soak in some knowledge on the history of the country. It's also home to several valuable artefacts and other treasures with historical importance, like the Kandyan king's golden throne and crown, back in the days when Kandy was the seat of power. The building itself is a stunning piece of architecture. Painted in white, it makes for an imposing sight, especially when viewed from the well-manicured green lawn in front. . . . Read more on the blog. Link in bio. _________________________________________ @nofixedaddrs #nofixedaddrs _________________________________________ So Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 #sosrilanka #visitsrilanka _________________________________________ ………. ……... …….. ……. …… ….. …. … .. . #museum #history #nationalmuseum #art #architecture #travelsrilanka #colombo #srilanka #srilankadiaries #urbanspaces #knowSL #mustbeSriLanka #exploreSriLanka #travelsrilanka #lovesrilanka #amazingsrilanka #srilankadiaries #srilankatourism #feelsrilanka #srilankatravel #srilankatoday #srilankadaily #slbloggers #thisissrilanka #igersella #igerssrilanka #ig_srilanka (at National Museum of Colombo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO7QpYpMGfI/?igshid=1hb83uq9jryyp

[akhnatenmallya]

Viharamahadevi Park. It is commonly known as the 'garden city of the east’ and is the oldest park in Colombo. It was initially known as Victoria Park, after the queen of the British Empire. However, in the 1950s, it was renamed Viharamahadevi Park, after the mother of King Dutugemunu. While it is a well-maintained park today, it was not always the case then. Over time, it had fallen into disrepair, with barely any funds distributed for its maintenance. Thankfully, all that changed when the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet was held in the city. Taking center stage in the park and towering over everything else is a statue of the Buddha, which replaced the statue of Queen Victoria which stood there previously. Should you get a chance to visit Colombo when the world opens up, make sure this park is on your itinerary. It is a perfect spot to get away from the bustle of the city. . . . Read more on the blog. Link in bio. _________________________________________ @nofixedaddrs #nofixedaddrs _________________________________________ So Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 #SoSriLanka #VisitSriLanka _________________________________________ ………. ……... …….. ……. …… ….. …. … .. . #park #viharamahadevipark #colombo #srilanka #buddha #buddhastatue #srilankadiaries #urbanspaces #knowSL #tranquil #mustbeSriLanka #exploreSriLanka #travelsrilanka #lovesrilanka #amazingsrilanka #srilankadiaries #srilankatourism #feelsrilanka #srilankatravel #srilankatoday #srilankadaily #ceylon #slbloggers #thisissrilanka #igersella #igerssrilanka #ig_srilanka (at Viharamahadevi Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNO6jIIMLPR/?igshid=1frqiqaflfs4j

[akhnatenmallya]

The Nine Arch Bridge. There are bridges, and then there are some more. There are bridges that have been immortalised in countless classic movies; The Bridge on the River Kwai instantly comes to mind. Some that connect countries and people, like the Oresund Bridge that links Sweden with Denmark. And then there are bridges, that, in this age of social media, have shot into the limelight - the Nine Arch Bridge. Also called the Bridge in the Sky, it lies between the small-town stations of Ella and Demodara in Sri Lanka. For those who continue their train journey on the fabled Kandy-Ella train to Dambulla, which is the last station, it’s another opportunity to click that ‘Instagram’ moment. However, plenty others simply make the trip to come down and see the bridge and walk along the tracks. Of course, the highlight is to catch the train as it slowly chugs on the bridge. Is it the most beautiful bridge? I'm not so sure about that. However, what does give Nine Arch Bridge a heads up over others is the lush green tea plantations and thick forests on either side that connect the two hills. Whichever side of the hill you may have positioned yourself, what you are guaranteed are spectacular views, with the bridge taking centrestage either side of them. And that will give it. ________________________________________ @nofixedaddrs #nofixedaddrs www.nofixedaddress.in _________________________________________ Some of these snaps have been clicked by Neel - buddy for travel and other not so famous crimes. You can check out his Instagram feed @neelmitra _________________________________________ So Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 #sosrilanka @destination_srilanka #visitsrilanka _________________________________________ ………. ……... …….. ……. …… ….. …. … .. . #ninearchbridge #srilanka #ella #travelsrilanka #ellasrilanka #visitsrilanka #lovesrilanka #amazingsrilanka #srilankadiaries #srilankatourism #exploresrilanka #feelsrilanka #bridge #railway #srilankatravel #visitsrilanka #exploresrilanka #travelsrilanka #srilankatoday #srilankadaily #ceylon #slbloggers #thisissrilanka #igersella #igerssrilanka #ig_srilanka (at Nine Arches Bridge, Demodara) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFEYv6mMciU/?igshid=pnz55nk6gzv0

[akhnatenmallya]

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It involved a princess smuggler on the run. It had the protection of kings, eager to retain power over their kingdom. With an air of mystery surrounding it, it is one of most well-protected sites anywhere in Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth relic sits north of Kandy lake, within the palace complex of the former Kandyan kingdom. Thanks to its historical, cultural and spiritual significance, the temple is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of eight sites across Sri Lanka. What gives the temple its unique name is the belief that it holds the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. Originally preserved in the ancient city of Kalinga, it was eventually smuggled by two of his disciples – Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamali. Over time, a legend was born. It was said that whoever was in possession of the tooth relic would have the right to rule the land. To make sure that it stayed safe, several replicas were created and placed all over the kingdom. To add intrigue, you never actually see the tooth relic. It is supposedly kept in a small golden casket, which in turn is kept in a larger casket, which in turn is in a larger casket – a total of seven. This in turn is safely kept in the innermost shrine of the temple. Today, while no one really knows where the original tooth relic is housed, the temple has built its  reputation and continues to be the focus of Buddhists who strive to make a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. . . . Read more on the blog. Link in bio. _________________________________________ @nofixedaddrs #nofixedaddrs _________________________________________ So Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 #SoSriLanka #VisitSriLanka _________________________________________ ………. ……... …….. ……. …… ….. …. … .. . #templeofthesacredtoothrelic #kandy #kandysrilanka #srilankadaily #srilankadiaries #knowSL #mustbeSriLanka #exploreSriLanka #srilanka #kandycitycentre #travelsrilanka #lovesrilanka #amazingsrilanka #feelsrilanka #srilankatravel #srilankatoday #srilankadaily #ceylon #slbloggers #thisissrilanka #igersella #igerssrilanka #ig_srilanka #unesco #worldheritage #worldheritagesite #unescoworldheritage (at ශ්රී දළදා මාළිගාව, Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPm831psvjW/?utm_medium=tumblr