Beruwela is a modern small town located in the western part of the island of Sri Lanka. Basically, connoisseurs of comfort come here and only in rare cases the resort is preferred by independent travelers. The city was badly damaged by the 2004 tsunami, but it still managed to recover. Hotels, buildings and infrastructure facilities were rebuilt here.
Beruwela is only 55 kilometers away from the large city of Colombo, where the main airport of the island is located. It is believed that the settlement was built by merchants who arrived here from the Eastern countries. And the name of the city itself is translated as “the shore where the sails are lowered”. This resort is found by tourists traveling south, the very first on the way. For vacationers there are hotels of all categories. Tourists can settle in a fashionable “five”, and in a modest “two”.
There are several interesting sights, a fish market, many mosques. Mosques in the city were built not by chance, because a significant part of the inhabitants of the resort profess Islam.
Chinese Fort
In the north-eastern direction from the local port is the area, which was called the “Chinese Fort”. It is the most famous gem trading center in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. Even in ancient times, local traders maintained close relations with the miners of the Ratnapura area (this area is located in the central part of the island). In local mines, ordinary workers mined stones, and merchants sold them on the market.
The gem trade began in an era when Berbers from North African countries swam across the ocean to Sri Lanka in search of valuable pebbles and various spices. Initially, the inhabitants of the island called the Arabs “Mukkara”, and their offspring – “Moroccal”. Subsequently, the Arab society was called “Marakkala”. Now you can hear that the precious stones, which were cut in the traditional style, are called “Mukkaraje”.
Today, the market “Chinese Fort” works daily. It can be accessed from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Precious stones are sold here not only from the island of Sri Lanka, but also from other countries of the world. For example, in the market you can buy products from India, Tanzania, Madagascar, Malawi, etc. Thousands of buyers visit the market. Residents of America, Japan, England, Germany, China, Thailand, etc. come here.
Beruwela Lighthouse (Barberine Island)
Barberine Island, home to the Beruwela Lighthouse, is 800 metres off the coast of Sri Lanka. The area of the islet is only 3.2 hectares, and the height of the lighthouse is 34 meters. The lighthouse itself was erected on a rock 30 meters high. It is one of the 4 international lighthouses on the island of Sri Lanka. Its shape is a round white conical tower of granite.
Construction dates back to 1889. In 1969, a modernization was carried out, during which the old diopter apparatus and the rotary beacon on the pedestal were replaced. In 2000, the Differential Global Positioning System was introduced. Every day from 18:30 pm to 6:30 am, the lighthouse illuminates the way for ships with its light. There are no residents on Barberine Island. But the lighthouse is not left unattended. His work is monitored by 5 caretakers, who alternately replace each other.
Despite the fact that officially outsiders are forbidden to climb up the lighthouse, it will not be difficult to do this. And help in the organization of such a tour to tourists just caretakers. The cost of the service is only Rs 250 per person.
You will have to get to the island on your own. For these purposes, you can rent a boat on the shore of Beruwela. The cost of a two-way trip will be 3500-4000 rupees. One boat can accommodate up to 8 people. Travel time in one direction is about 10 minutes.
While in a boat, tourists should take care of their equipment or other wet things. The boat often captures the waves with its low sides, the spray from which can fall on phones or cameras.
After the tourists are taken to the pier on Barberin Island, the walk begins. You will have to go under a slight slope, but a pleasant bonus will be stunning views of the surrounding area. On the way, you will meet a palm grove in which cows and peacocks live. But from the top of the lighthouse itself offers an unforgettable view of the endless ocean.
Kachimalaev Mosque
The construction of mosques on the island of Sri Lanka is associated with the resettlement of Muslims from African countries who traded in precious stones here. The Kachimalaya Mosque is one of the oldest Muslim mosques on the island, which at the same time is the main attraction of Sri Lanka. Its construction dates back to the XI century. The mosque is located in the northern part of Beruwela. It is located on a rocky promontory. On all sides it is surrounded by beautiful white minarets. While visiting the sights, you can enjoy beautiful views of the ocean and stunning sunsets. The minarets of the mosque are visible from almost all corners of the resort. It is made in the traditional Arabic architectural style and is surrounded on all sides by palm trees.
Among the local religious sites, the Kachimalaev Mosque occupies an important place. Its walls never remain empty. At the end of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, the mosque is visited by at least 5 thousand pilgrims from all over Sri Lanka and the surrounding area. When visiting a religious object, you must adhere to the elementary rules of the dress code. Do not wear provocative clothing, shoulders and knees should be covered.
Masjid-ul-Abrar Mosque
This mosque is located in a southerly direction from the Kachimalai Mosque, about 500 meters from it. Scientists suggest that it was erected in the distant 920 by the very first Muslims who arrived on the island. According to stories and legends, it was from here that the active spread of Islam in Sri Lanka came from. It is believed that the mosque was built exactly in the place where the first eastern sailors landed on the shore.
Over the history of its existence, the mosque has repeatedly undergone large-scale reconstructions. Moreover, during each such reconstruction, practically no attention was paid to the preservation of any historical aspects. Therefore, it is difficult to say what exactly was the original appearance of this religious structure. In 1893, huge round pillars were installed, they were supposed to support the roof.
The last reconstruction of the mosque was carried out in 1989. The work was supervised by Abdul Bakir Markar. The building was designed by W. J. Williams. Neil Alles. Now the mosque can accommodate up to 3 thousand people at a time. It is also the center of Muslim holidays and receives pilgrims even from the most remote parts of the island of Sri Lanka.
Galapata Temple
One of the attractions that is definitely worth a visit during a holiday in Sri Lanka is the Galapata Vihara Temple. It is believed that it was built in the XII century. It would even be more correct to say that this is not a temple, but a whole castle complex, but to this day it has been preserved in a dilapidated form.
While visiting the sights, you can see real letters on the ruined walls. The main shrine of the temple is the monumental statue of Buddha. There is a legend that the galapata Vihara temple complex is connected to the Vanasawa Raya Vihara temple through an underground tunnel. Scientists suggest that corridors from this tunnel led to other Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. That’s just most of these buildings today has already been destroyed.
In the temple of Galapata Vihara there are huge sculptures, each of which fascinates with its realism. The temple includes several caves. In them, the Buddha is depicted in different poses. During the walk, you can see the Buddha meditating, standing with his arms crossed on his chest (this pose is generally considered one of the rarest), lying down.
According to one of the legends, the granite stone for the construction of the temple was chosen by King Parakramabahu. He also selected the most talented masters of that time. In some sources there is information about the first European who managed to see all the beauty of the temple of Galapat Vihar. It happened in 1820. He noted that the talent of the masters who worked on the construction of the temple is many times superior to the work of European sculptors of the same era.
Beruwela Harbour
The Fishing Harbour in Beruwela is one of the most important fishing ports in the western part of the island of Sri Lanka. It is located on the very outskirts of Kalutar – this area is about 60 kilometers away from Colombo. This arrangement is quite successful, since spare parts, fuel and everything necessary for fishing vessels are always brought from the city.
The harbor is a fairly quiet place, there is no large crowd of people, therefore, there is an opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the ocean in silence. Every morning small fishing boats moor here with their catch. Here you can communicate with local fishermen, they, like many residents of Sri Lanka, are always open to communication. And in Havana there is a unique opportunity to purchase freshly caught fish at a very attractive price, sometimes even cheaper than at the fish market.
In 2004, the fishing harbour was completely destroyed in the Asian tsunami. But over time, it was reconstructed as part of the CFHC Awakening of Fishery Harbour project.
Kandy Vihara Temple
The Temple Complex of Kandy Vihara is another major attraction of Beruwela. This sacred place is almost the most important center of Buddhist life in Sri Lanka. Despite the fact that the temple is Buddhist, it is located in the place of residence of Muslims. It is almost impossible not to notice it, because it is here that the tallest statue of the seated Buddha on the island is located. The statue reaches a height of 48 meters, which gives it the opportunity to be among the tallest Buddha statues in the world.
In addition to the huge statue of the seated Buddha, the Temple Complex of Kandi Vihara includes a small museum located across the street. Nearby there are several miniature temples, a place for incense and a Buddhist bo tree.
The temple attracts local Buddhists. On holidays, bright religious festivals are arranged here, which, with their scale, can impress even the most experienced travelers. Sometimes even elephants take part in such festivals.
Inside, the Buddha statue is hollow. There is an exposition of scenes from the life path of the Buddha. It occupies several floors, but only the first three are available for visiting. At the bottom of the statue there is an observation deck. During the visit, guests can see the temple square and the surrounding areas. It is especially beautiful here in the evening, when the lights turn on. Evening acquaintance with the sight will give you the opportunity to make some spectacular photos.
Before you enter the temple, be sure to take off your shoes. This applies to almost all Buddhist religious buildings. In no case should you take pictures with your back to the Buddha, thus disrespecting the religion and the local population is manifested. You can visit the temple complex on any day from 9 am to 9 pm.
Surroundings
After getting acquainted with all the attractions of the resort of Beruwela, you can go to its surroundings. There are also several places that deserve special attention from tourists.
Turtle Farm
The turtle farm is a great place to meet the marine inhabitants – turtles. Here you can not only observe the life of animals, but also touch them with your hands. Especially such entertainment will appeal to families with children. After all, where else can kids see so many turtles of different sizes.
Turtle farms in Sri Lanka are a kind of volunteering. After all, it is in such places that turtles get a real chance of survival. The very first turtle farm was opened in 1978 in Kosgoda. A little later, 6 more similar objects were discovered, all of them are located in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka.
The cost of visiting farms is 500 rupees. On the farm located in Kosgoda, you can see all five different turtles that are represented in Sri Lanka – Green Turtle, Loggerhead, Hawkerhead Turtle, Olive Ridley, Leatherback. The farm is open to the public at any time of the year, but most of the pets are presented here in the period from April to September. It is at this time that the females crawl ashore to lay their eggs, after which they immediately return to the ocean.
The process of laying eggs is monitored by local fishermen and residents of the island. After the female turtle has done her thing, they take the eggs and take them to the turtle farm, where they are bought by the owners. In nature, the process of survival of turtles is minimal, on farms it is possible to save most of the individuals. On the farm, the eggs are placed in a special incubator on the sand. It is a certain territory, completely protected from predators. After the turtles have hatched from the eggs, they go straight to the ocean, where they swim for two days. Some newborn turtles are placed for three days in the pool, that’s how long they need to gain strength and get stronger. They can then be released into ocean waters. Turtles return to the coast of Sri Lanka only after 30 years, having fully reached sexual maturity, to also make a clutch of eggs.
Turtle farms leave those individuals who will not be able to survive in the natural environment. As a rule, such turtles suffered from predators, motor boats or fishermen’s nets.
Bentota River
It is the most famous river in Sri Lanka, which carries its waters into the Indian Ocean. On the last section, the river forms a lagoon and is an ideal place for a beach holiday. The river, together with the lagoon, is ready to offer the widest choice of entertainment. It is here that the largest selection of beach sports in comparison with other resorts of the island is presented. Here you can go water skiing, windsurfing or parasailing.
One of the most popular activities on Benton is rafting on the river on pleasure boats. Such a walk will appeal even to couples who came to rest with children. The river walk begins from Bentona Marina. You can get to it yourself both on foot and with the help of a tuk-tuk taxi. The duration of the tour is about an hour and a half. The cost of the trip is 2.5-3 thousand rupees.
By the way, you can go for a walk along the river not only on tourist boats. Local fishermen willingly surrender their water transport. They are no worse than professional guides will take tourists around the neighborhood, tell about plants and river inhabitants. One of the brightest representatives of the river fauna are crocodiles. On the shore you can meet monitor lizards, monkeys, various birds, flying dogs.
Many boats, especially tourist boats, have awnings that protect against the hot sun and help protect the skin from burns. Safaris on the Bentona River are held in the evening, but such a trip is certainly not for the faint of heart, because who knows what awaits the extremists overboard the boat – another floating log or a real crocodile. Swimming in the river, respectively, is not worth it because of the diverse living creatures, sometimes far from the safest.
Yala National Park
Yala is a real nature reserve. It is located on the south-eastern side of the island, relatively far from Beruwela, but every traveler is simply obliged to visit it. The area of the park is 100 hectares. Here, a huge number of wild animals live in the natural environment.
You can get acquainted with the local flora and fauna only on special open cars, from which it is strictly forbidden to get out. The journey is designed for 4 hours. One car can accommodate a group of up to 6 people. The cost of renting such a jeep along with entrance tickets for the group is 5-6 thousand rupees.
During the safari, tourists can see macaques, crocodiles, elephants, mongooses, monitor lizards, deer, wild boars, various birds. Sometimes there are bears and leopards.
Address: Uva, Southern Province
Website: www.yalasrilanka.lk
Brief Garden Garden
The unique Estate Brief Garden includes a garden along with a house. The author of the project, Beavis Bava, is the older brother of the architect Jeffrey Bava, who worked on the creation of the Lunuganga estate in Bentota. The garden received its name in honor of Bava’s father. After all, it was he who bought the land with the funds received from a successful trial.
Initially, on the site of a luxurious garden there was a rubber plantation. Bava began his work on improving the section in 1929. The most interesting thing is that he was not a landscape designer. Beavis Bava initially worked in the army, after which he became an employee of the British colonial administration. The garden was decorated with elements of English and Italian style. Work on the garden continued until Bava’s death, that is, until 1992. A beautiful cascading fountain was built, terraces that descended from the house itself along the slopes of the hill, numerous statues were installed.
The heir of the garden was the gardener of Bava. His family still keeps him in excellent condition. You can visit the local attraction any day from 8:00 to 17:00. The ticket price is Rs 1,000.
Address: Brief Garden Kalawila Village, Beruwala 12070, Sri Lanka
Website: https://briefgarden.business.site
A large selection of attractions of Beruwela will make the rest more vivid and diverse. You can get acquainted with the interesting objects of the resort both independently and as part of a tourist group. The main interesting places are relatively close to each other, so you do not have to spend a lot of time traveling around the city.
Attractions Beruwela on map
