The bustling town of Chilaw lies on the West Coast of Sri Lanka approximately 50 miles from the capital city of Colombo. In addition to its beautiful setting along the pristine ocean and the Chilaw lagoon, it has also been a city of both historical and economic importance for centuries. Our most recent trip to Chilaw opened our eyes to the many historical wonders along the Western Coast of Sri Lanka.
The Bingiriya Tampita or Bingiriya Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the largest temples in the Kurunegala district and one of the few places where the best wooden carvings of the ancient Kandyan era can be seen. Gorgeous ornate carvings of lotus flowers, binara flowers, wrestlers, horse riders, elephants and lions are featured in this temple.
The impressive building has a history as rich as its architecture. According to legends a casket of relics for worship sank into the earth, and being unable to retrieve it back, the locals built a temple to pay their respect to the casket and consequently dubbed the area as Bingiliya (earth that was drowned or absorbed).
St. Anne’s Church, administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chilaw is another site of historical significance. The shrine of St. Anne is not only a sanctuary of prayer but is one of the most venerated shrines among catholic devotees. According to legend, a vessel on the way to Europe had encountered turbulent waters in the surrounding seas in the area and the Captain had prayed for the safety of his crew, promising that if they have safe return, then he would return to Thalawila and build a chapel in the Saint’s honour. Once safe on shore, he placed a hand-carved figurine of St. Anne and after they were rescued, he returned to build a chapel in the saint’s honour. Since 1877, this little chapel has been attracting thousands of pious devotees from every province in Sri Lanka.
Off the beaten track, nearly 27 km from the Colombo-Chilaw main road resides the ruins of the ancient Paduwasnuwara Kingdom which is also worth exploring. The remnants of the ancient city include dagabes, pilima geyas (image houses) as well as ancient meeting halls. The Panda Wewa reservoir is located within close proximity to the ruins and it is believed to be one of the earliest built irrigation reservoirs in history. The ruins also showcase a tower where according to legends King Panduwasdeva’s daughter Unmada Chitra was confined to captivity during the 7th Century. A six meter wide moat and outer wall surround the fort at its entrance, which can be seen even today. The temple continues to be one of the most iconic buildings of the ancient city and the round shaped palace of the Panduwasnuwara kingdom is definitely a site to behold.
The Munneswaram Kovil is an ancient Hindu temple that dates back to at least 1000 CE. There are many legendary tales surrounding it, associated with both Indian and Sri Lankan kings and sightings. It is also believed that the temple marks the location, where king Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, prayed to Siva after his war with Ravana.
The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple, with the central temple, which is also the largest, dedicated to Shiva. It attracts many people every year, especially during the festival seasons of Navarathri and Sivarathri.
If you’re looking forward to a break from your everyday routines then you should definitely take a tour to Chilaw and revel in the aesthetic splendour of these historic masterpieces.
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Anantaya Resort & Spa in Chilaw is an-award winning Resort nestled between the breathtaking Indian Ocean and the tranquil Chilaw lagoon. The resort offers 87 star-class luxury rooms and four water villas, providing an exotic luxurious experience for a quick getaway.
If you are feeling adventurous, speak to the Anantaya team to explore the exciting excursions on offer in Chilaw…
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