Of Faith, Myth, and History – Abhishekh’s Sri Lanka Trip with Thrillophilia
So, where does one start?
Well…Abhishekh and his partner had the best vacation in a while with Thrillophilia’ Sri Lanka tour packages. They never expected to find such bliss and beauty in this place, but, alas, one never knows if one never sees.
Their journey started with a plan that was falling all over the place. It was his birthday and he wanted to do something the sober way…yeah, life beyond 25 can get quite unexpected…one might even end up being stunned at the person one becomes.
He had his partner with him who was super supportive of this decision, so he tagged him along in this exciting venture of exploring Sri Lanka through rose glasses.
He was ecstatic and really looking forward to this trip to Sri Lanka. Not only did the destination induce a sense of curiosity and wonder in both of them, but the thought of flying to Ravana’s homeland seemed quite an interesting thing to do.
Growing up in India, Abhishekh knew the story of the Ramayana by heart, but one thing bugged him forever – Ravana was such a nice king, so why did he fall into such desperate actions?
His grandfather always told him – “he lost his grip over his emotions.”
This is a lesson that he carries in his heart till date.
Real solace never comes by subsiding or subduing emotions. It knocks on the door on that day when one has made peace with each and every aspect of it – guilt, love, regret, sadness; there can be millions of feelings, but to face it is to gain the power to grasp it.
Far and Wide, All in Heart
It was years later that he truly grasped the meaning of these words. He wanted to get close to himself, explore his own thoughts and being, and grow an identity that would be true to him, and to which he would be completely honest.
The day they reached the heart of Colombo, they were taken aback by the impeccable beauty of the landscapes. The most surprising thing that cleared the air for them and filled their minds with positive thoughts was the experience of watching elephants take a bath at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, and then being fed fruits and milk by the mahouts.
They did not know what to expect before arriving here, but wherever this trip was taking them, geographically and metaphorically, they loved it.
Their stay in Kandy was simply AWESOME. There was a balcony overlooking ranges of lofty peaks, the sight of which played hide and seek with them, thanks to the aid of the clouds. It was the peak of December and they were really enjoying the tropical winters there – comfortable and chilly with occasional drizzles.
But what stole the show was the Ambuluwawa Tower. It was a spectacular architectural wonder whose brilliant concept behind its making threw them off guard. They were never expecting to witness such a piece of work – a multi-religious building that housed a church, a mosque, a kovil, and a temple. This diversity was reflected in its architectural structure which, at a glance, represented a Buddhist Stupa.
He was stunned at the sight of it. Despite staying in India which is rightfully a secular country, such an instance of inclusivity was a rare find even in the largest democracy in the world. He made sure to document the entire experience of exploring this place, and by the end of the day when he was going through the images, he could only think of one thing –
“The answer to the difference is to respect it.” – John Hume
A Tour of History and Myth, with a Touch of Folklore
Their visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sigiriya and Dambulla Caves was grand and heart-warming.
Not only did they witness the ancient fortress of Sigiriya, perched atop the Lion’s Rock, but they also went to the best-preserved cave monastery in Sri Lanka for over 22 centuries. He left readers guessing the establishment dates of both these places, whilst he talked about another aspect of their thrilling journey through the “Teardrop of India”…
…The famous site of the Ramayana where Ravana held Sita captive, the Ravana Ella Caves. It was one of the most intriguing and heart-wrenching places he had visited till date. There was a certain ambience to it which reminded them of the fate Ravana had to endure for keeping Sita captive. And then their minds got flooded with the fate Sita met…
Unjust.
Following it, they made their way to the Ravana Falls, and finally, they went to the Nine Arch Bridge which transported them to 19th-century British Imperialism again. The sheer beauty of colonial architecture proved to them how the romanticism of nostalgia is not necessarily harmful, but it can surely lead to a paradox.
They ended the tour of Ella with a nice and peaceful visit to the tea plantations. The vistas ahead of them looked surreal. He realised that it was the perfect birthday celebration. He was glad to have come here on this trip, at this time, with him.
The Final Shifts of the Voyage
The beaches of Marissa were as beautiful as raw pearls, unshaped and unpolished, but portraying the best artworks of nature. The palm-fringed horizons looked enchanting, and so did the waves that splashed against their feet now and then.
They did their short sightseeing tour of the Parrot Rock and Coconut Tree Hill. They also went for an adventurous scuba diving experience which rejuvenated them completely. Swimming and any kind of water sport actually uplift bodily functions considerably, and after such a happening tour of Sri Lanka, they were just in need of that.
With a relaxing evening lounging at the beach, they called it a day, and with it, wrapped up the trip in the most magical way possible.
They strolled along the beach at the break of dusk. The sunset threw a riot of colours in the sky, mixing the blue of the ocean and the red of the sky into a purple line. It almost seemed as if the rainbow came alive.
Read More: Thrillophilia Sri Lanka Reviews