Ceylon Architectural Tour (Geoffrey Bawa) – 6 Nights / 7 Days

BAWA & BEYOND (Geoffrey Bawa) – 6 Nights / 7 Days

DAY 1: AIRPORT – KANDALAMA

On arrival in Sri Lanka, please clear immigration, collect your luggage then proceed through the customs green channel to the arrival lobby. We will be waiting in the designated area with a paging board. You will then be escorted to the vehicle park for your transfer.
Transfer from Airport to Kandalama (Approx: 4Hrs)
Overnight Stay at Heritance Kandalama by Ar. Geoffrey Bawa

DAY 2: KANDALAMA – KANDY

After breakfast proceed to Kandy (Approx: 2.5Hrs)
Visit Kandy Temple of the Relic: Girdled by hills, Kandy is a peaceful haven to retire to and enjoy the cool of the climate. Once the stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, the focal point of the town is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa where the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha is enshrined. Kandy, at an altitude of 500m is the cultural center of Sri Lanka and was the capital of the last Singhalese kingdom. It is a particularly relaxed hill station, once captured by the British. It is dominated by its lake and the nearby Temple of the Tooth which houses Sri Lanka’s most sacred relic.
Later on Visit Gadaladeniya/Lankatilake/Embekke Temples by Ar. Amarawathi (Central Indian):
Gadaladeniya Temple: Gadaladeniya temple is located in the South-West direction of Peradeniya Botanical Garden. The distance to the temple about 10 km from Kandy city and can be reached easily by bus or taxi. Temple is located on a small natural hill made of granite stones, the temple is surrounded by a small hamlet. The construction of Gadaladeniya goes back to the Gampola period and must have constructed during the reign of the first king of Gampola Bhuwaneka Bahu 4 (1341-1351). Even though the information about the constructions of the temple is not known to anyone, there are many theories regarding the beginning of the temple. It is believed that the construction was patronage by a village headman or a general of the king’s army or a rich person from the area. Some people believe that the construction was carried out under the patronage of Silavansa Dharmakeerthi thera (a popular monk). According to the stone inscription nearby, the temple was designed by a monk, whose identity is unknown. The monk supposes to have gathered the knowledge of architecture in Amarawathi (Central Indian) and he has introduced some Indian elements to the construction such as frescoes of elephants and Ganas. The temple is made of stones and differs from the other temples in the vicinity such as Lanktilaka and Embekke.
Lankatilake Temple: Lankathilaka is another temple from the same era of Gadaladeniya temple and located about 3 km south of Gadaladeniya. The constructions of Lankatilaka temple was completed in 1344. Lankathilaka and Gadaladeniya both temples are supposed to be built by the same craftsman. The temple is constructed on a slightly elevated platform that is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape with small hills and thick vegetation. There are 2 inscriptions at the site created by King Bhuwanekabahu 4 (1341-1351) and King Vikramabahu 3 (1357-1374).
Embekke Temple: Embekke is another most visited tourist attraction in Kandy and it is a masterpiece of wood carving of ancient artisans. Embekke is situated further 2 kilometres down the road from Lankathilaka and it also dating back to 14th century AD. One major difference of Embekke against the other two temples is being the material used for the building of the temple. The temple is completely built of wood including the roof. The temple is more like an open hall and the roof is built on Gammalu wooden pillars. Embekke had been used as the audience hall of the king during the Gampola period. Archaeologist believed that theory to be true, while this architecture mainly used during the Gampola period in the island. The temple is dedicated to the God Kataragama and well known as Udunuwara Kataragama Devala or Devata Bandara Devala. The temple is nestled among the beautiful countryside dominated by paddy fields, patches of forests and mountains. The temple is just 7 km from the A1 main road and about 20 km from Kandy city. Embekke is one of the major attractions in the Kandyan district. Today the temple shows some of the most valuable wood carvings of Sri Lanka. Wood is extensively used for the construction of the temple. Temple divided into four important parts namely Garbha, Sanctum, Dancing Halls, and drummer’s hall. The drummer’s hall is an open area with a protective roof. The roof is built on finely carved wooden pillars; these ornate pillars show some of the most exquisite wood carvings of ancient Sri Lanka. According to the historical information, some of the woodworks at the temple are from an abandoned royal palace in Gampola
Overnight Stay at Earl’s Regency

DAY 3: KANDY – AHUNGALLE

After breakfast proceed to Ahungalle (Approx: 5Hrs)
Overnight Stay at Heritance Ahungalle by Ar. Geoffrey Bawa

DAY 4: AHUNGALLE – GALLE

After breakfast proceed to Galle (Approx: 1Hrs)
Visit Galle Fort by Ar. Geoffrey Bawa: Galle is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the administrative capital of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the district capital of Galle District. Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. Afterwards proceed to visit the famous Dutch ramparts in the Galle Fort with a Portuguese emblem on the southern wall. This fort now houses most of the offices of the government like the old post office, the beautiful Dutch church over 350 years old and other colonial style buildings now monumental of the architectural patterns that prevailed in that era. Walk along the ramparts which rolling plains of green inside the fort with a view of the harbour and the famous old light house… Galle is well known for its cottage industries and lace making which is a traditional southern Sri Lankan craft. Visit a lace making craft center as well as a mask making center. These wooden masks are used in various ceremonies and festivals in Sri Lanka. Each one is hand carved and significant of a certain human feeling.
Then Visit Jetwing Light House Hotel by Ar. Geoffrey Bawa
Back to hotel in Ahungalle
Overnight Stay at Heritance Ahungalle by Ar. Geoffrey Bawa

DAY 5: AHUNGALLE

Breakfast at Hotel
Visit Following Geoffrey Bawa Architected properties in Down South of Sri Lanka,
- - Avani Bentota – Bentota
  - Avani Kalutara – Kalutara
  - Blue Water Hotel – Wadduwa
  - Lunuganga – Bentota
Overnight Stay at Heritance Ahungalle by Ar. Geoffrey Bawa

DAY 6: AHUNGALLE – COLOMBO

After breakfast at proceed to Colombo (Approx: 1.5Hrs)
Visit Seema Malaka Temple by Ar. Geoffrey Bawa
Thereafter Visit Ar. Bawa’s Office & Residence, 1960 – 1998 (No. 11 Colombo Residence): The house in 33rd Lane is an essay in architectural bricollage. In 1958 Bawa bought the third in a row of four small houses which lay along a short cul-de-sac at the end of a narrow suburban lane and converted it into a pied-à-terre with living room, bedroom, tiny kitchen and room for a servant. When the fourth bungalow became vacant this was colonised to serve as dining room and second living room. Ten years later the remaining bungalows were acquired and added into the composition and the first in the row was demolished to be replaced by a four-storey tower.
Overnight Stay at Colombo Hilton by Ar. Geoffrey Bawa