Kalutara
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General Information
Other Name: Kalutota, , State: Western, Sri Lanka
Area: 0
Languages Spoken: Sinhalese, Tamil, English
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: Dagoba at Kalutara Vihara is believed to be the only Buddha Stupa in the world which is entirely hollow
Best Time to Visit: September to May and -
International Access: 84 km from BIADescription
Kalutara or Kalutota is a major city in Kalutara District, Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is also the administrative capital of Kalutara District. It is located approximately 43 km (27 mi) south of the capital Colombo. The city holds a unique position for one of the four major rivers in Sri Lanka (Kalu River) which joins the sea at the center of the city. In the 11th Century, the town was temporarily made a capital on the orders of a South Indian Prince. The region was later planted with coconut trees, whose by-products are used for both internal and external trade. The location also boast fortifications (Kalutara fort) dating back from the times when Portuguese, Dutch and British vied for control of the area. The 38 m (125 ft) long Kalutara Bridge was built at the mouth of the Kalu Ganga River and serves as a major link between the country's western and southern border. Kalutara or Gangatilaka Vihara was built in the 1960s to the south of the Kalutara Bridge, is Kalutara’s most dominant landmark. The white 3 storeys-high dagoba at Kalutara Vihara is believed to be the only Buddha Stupa in the world which is entirely hollow. It contains a smaller dagoba inside. The interior of the Stupa is decorated with paintings of the Jataka tales about the life of the Buddha. Kalutara Bodhiya is one of the most sacred Buddha Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka. It is one of the 32 saplings of Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodiya. Kalutara Bodiya is located on Colombo-Galle road. Richmond Castle, Kalutara is a two storey mansion, built in 1896, at Palatota. Richmond Castle is a 42-acre fruit garden estate, originally built for a wealthy regional governor. The architecture is a mix of British and Indian styles, copied from the plans of an Indian Maharaja’s palace designed by a London architect. The building has intricate carvings. Calido beach is a thin strip of preserved land which runs between the Kalu River and the Indian Ocean. Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple is a Buddhist temple built in 1873, in Kalutara north. Kalutara Clock Tower, constructed by Marcus Silva as a memorial for his father, Paul Silva and his mother.Location
located approximately 43 km (27 mi) south of the capital ColomboClimate
26°C, Wind W at 6 km/h, 87% Humidity