Faiths of Serendib | Anne Lanka

Where every hill, river and rock holds a story of devotion.

Sri Lanka is a land of diverse spirituality, where ancient temples, sacred trees, hilltop shrines and coastal sanctuaries speak of a heritage of faith that has endured for over 2,500 years. The island is home to four of the world’s great religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity – and the coexistence of these traditions has given rise to a spiritual landscape of beauty.

Jaffna

The city's Hindu temples - especially the ancient Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil - are among the finest examples of Dravidian temple architecture, and the annual Nallur Festival is a spectacle of colour, devotion and ritual that attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims. Jaffna's unique cuisine, its Dutch Fort, its islands accessible by causeway across a luminous lagoon, and the warmth of its people make it one of Sri Lanka's most underexplored destinations.

Gangaramaya Temple

Gangaramaya Temple blends architecture and culture from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and China into a layered complex of shrines, libraries, a museum and a spectacular relic chamber. Founded in the late 19th century, the temple has grown into a centre of Buddhist learning and cultural activity, and its annual Navam Perahera festival - held in February - is one of the most dazzling religious processions in Sri Lanka, drawing thousands of spectators.

Red Mosque

The Red Mosque, officially known as the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, is a striking Colombo landmark, its vivid red-and-white candy-striped facade rising above the crowded streets of the Pettah bazaar district since 1909. Built to serve the city's growing Muslim population during the British colonial period, its Indo-Saracenic architecture is a brilliant blend of styles that stands in wonderful contrast to the bustling market life that surrounds it.

Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee

The Koneswaram Temple is one of Sri Lanka's most ancient and spectacular Hindu shrines, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The site, known as the 'Shrine of the Thousand Pillars', is one of the Pancha Ishwarams or five ancient abodes of Shiva in Sri Lanka, and its setting above the crashing sea makes it one of the island's most visually awe-inspiring religious sites.

Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

Set on the banks of Kandy Lake within the ancient royal palace complex, the temple houses the tooth relic of the Buddha, which has been protected by the rulers for nearly 2,000 years. The daily puja ceremonies, performed three times a day to the accompaniment of traditional drumming and the fragrance of incense and flowers, create an atmosphere of devotion that touches visitors of every background.