Visiting the Mask Factory and Museum will give you an insight into Sri Lankan traditional arts and crafts as well as Sri Lankan handicrafts. Although mask making is a very popular tradition in Sri Lanka, it is a dying tradition, and the best place to get your fill of mask lore is the Ambalangoda Mask Workshop and Museum. Upon your visit to the factory and museum you will be mesmerized by the rich history and lengthy procedure of making a mask. At the Museum you will witness two entire collections of masks belonging to the Sanni Yakuma ritual and Kolam Dance, and the primitive tools used to carve these masks. The museum also has a small library and a mask workshop as well. The mask library here is one of a kind and contains anthropological records of mask-making and the history of traditional performances that use masks.

It is a must to visit the workshop and watch the talented local artisans work their magic on a piece of wood. The carvings and the traditional colours used will give you a taste of the rich talent of these artisans that breathe life into pieces of wood. You can also buy yourself your own mask as souvenir to remind you of your adventures in Beruwala, Sri Lanka. If you’re feeling creative, purchase an unpainted mask and unmask your creativity.

The Ambalangoda Mask Workshop and Museum is situated merely 8kms away from Cinnamon Bey Beruwala and it is just a 15-minute drive from the hotel to the factory and museum. Leave the organizing and curating of your visit to the Ambalangoda Mask Workshop and Museum to us! We will ensure everything is done and planned out for your excursion; all you need to do is let us know your preferences. Visiting the Ambalangoda Mask Workshop and Museum is one of the most important items on the Cinnamon Bey Beruwala bucket list and we will ensure that you enjoy the experience to the maximum!

We at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts and Cinnamon Bey Beruwala are ready to welcome you for a memorable and safe stay with us! With Cinnamon Care we ensure the safest way to visit your favourite paradise island and enjoy nature, vibrant history, Sri Lankan traditional arts and crafts and the rich culture Sri Lanka has been endowed with!

Here are ten facts about Sigiriya, that you probably didn’t know before;

Credit – Mykola Sirkiziuk

1. The Beginning Story

Sigiriya, is a site in central Sri Lanka consisting of the ruins of an ancient stronghold that was built in the late 5th century CE on a remarkable monolithic rock pillar. The rock rises to an elevation of 1,144 feet (349 metres) above sea level and is around 600 feet (180 metres) above the surrounding plain. The Sinhalese King Kashyapa I, who reigned from 477 to 495 is said to have built this monumental piece of work.

2. A Rock Full of Controversy

Credit – Jana Marie

King Kasyapa’s life and rule was full of controversy. Sigiriya history dictates that King Kashyapa was born to a non-royal concubine and had no right to the throne. Consequently he rebelled against his king father Dhatusena, imprisoning him and eventually having him killed and entombing him in a wall. Thereafter, King Kashyapa chose the Sigiriya fortress as his royal residence as he was worried of potential attacks from his brother Moggallana, the rightful heir to the throne. From atop of Sigiriya he had unobstructed views of the surrounding area.

3. Before and After

It is also widely believed that before King Kashyapa used Sigiriya as his residence, the rock was a Buddhist monastery. It was once again used as a monastery after Kashyapa’s death till it was abandoned in the 14th century.

4. The Enigmatic Mirror Wall

Credit – Adobe

King Kashyapa created a ‘mirror wall’ so highly polished that he could see his reflection as he walked by. There is also evidence of a wall, 140 metres long and 40 metres high, covered with paintings of ladies, more famously known as the “Sigiriya Frescoes”. These paintings are still partly visible today.

5. The Hike Up

Credit – Sebastian Holmer

The only way to access the wonders of the Sigiriya fortress is to take the stairs. The rock is 200 metres high and visitors can walk the 1,200 steps, divided amongst a number of staircases, to the top.

6.The Advanced Hydraulic System

Sigiriya is known for the impressively advanced hydraulic system that has been in place since the olden days. This impressive system consists of canals, lakes, dams, bridges, and water pumps which still provide water to the site’s gardens to this day! Evidently, this contributes largely to Sigiriya’s reputation as one of the world’s best-preserved examples of urban planning. Some of the garden water comes from the top of Sigiriya. The pools at the top of the rock are filled with rainwater, and a series of drains cut into the rock connect to a large cistern, which feeds into the underground conduit system to help supply the gardens with water.

7. The Lion Rock

King Kashyapa built a façade on the plateau halfway up in the form of a huge lion with a staircase emerging out of its mouth. This is why the place is also called ‘Lion Rock’. The remnants of this lion can be observed to date.

8.Impressive Archaeological Importance

Credit – Connie Felicity

This man-built city is known for its archaeological importance and historical value. The city includes water gardens, a moat, terraced gardens and other archaeological features. It is a must see on your visit to Sri Lanka. Archaeologists explained that the site is a brilliant combination of deliberate symmetry and asymmetry playing on both natural and geometric forms.

9. Water Gardens of Sigiriya

The gardens at Sigiriya are known to be the best-preserved water gardens in South Asia and are considered to be some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. History states that many important guests in the 5th Century would have walked a path with the impressively designed water gardens on either side, serving as a grand entrance to the more than 1,200 steps leading up to the palace.

10. Highly Acclaimed

Credit – Shanul Photography

Sigiriya is widely considered to be the 8th wonder of the world. Moreover, it wasn’t until 1831 that the abandoned Sigiriya was discovered the site of Sigiriya became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

You can make your visit to this not-to-be-missed site while you stay with us at Habarana Village by Cinnamon or Cinnamon Lodge Habarana.

Sigiriya is only a 20 minute drive away from our hotel and you can stay in comfort and reach your destination which is only 18km away! Enjoy the delicious food and plush lodging while we curate the perfect Sigiriya adventure for you!

Here are 10 things to know about the Sinhala and Tamil New Year;

1. What is the New Year?

The festival is celebrated when the sun moves from Pisces to Aries, marking the end of the harvesting season. It is celebrated with a series of traditions, food, and fun games that take place during the day and involve the entire community.

2. When is the New Year celebrated?

The new year rituals start in 13th with a ritual called neutral period or Nonagathe. During this time people keep off from all the work and do nothing but engage in religious activities to get the blessing of their religion to prepare for the new year.The dawning of the new year is celebrated on the 14th of April each year!

3. The transition time

The Avurudu traditions begin on the 13th of April with the neutral time (or punya kaalaya) which is the time between the ending of the Old Year and the dawning of the New Year. This time is used to observe and perform religious ceremonies. People are also encouraged to refrain from their day-to-day activities and seek blessings from their priests/monks. What is most special about the new year traditions are that they are performed during an auspicious time. Therefore, the entire country cooks, eats and engages in work at the sometime.

4. How is the dawning of the New Year celebrated?

The dawning of the New Year is traditionally celebrated with the lighting of the hearth and traditionally boiling milk using a brand-new clay pot as a symbol of prosperity. The overflowing of the boiling milk is considered to bring good luck for the entire family. Thereafter,the traditional milk rice and an array of sweetmeats are prepared and enjoyed by family and distributed among neighbours symbolizing unity amongst all with no boundaries.

5. What are the sweetmeats for Avurudu?

The Avurudu table overflows with various sweet meats and foods specially made for the festival. Some of these food items include Konda kavum- a deep fried fluffy cake, Kokis- a deep-fried, crispy sweet made from rice flour and coconut milk, Aasmi- crunchy traditional sweet topped with a traditional caramel syrup, Mung Kavum- A diamond-shaped sweet that comes with a crunchy crust with a sweet paste of sweetened green grams inside and so much more! We at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts always ensure our guests have a taste of all these sweetmeats and feel the spirit of the new year whilst they’re at our hotels.

6. What are the Avurudu Games?

Avurudu games are also a treat during this time of the year. Some of these Avurudu games include placing the eye on the elephant- (Aliyata asa thabeema), Eating buns the fastest (Banis kema), Pillow-fight – (Kotta Pora), Tug-o-War(Kamba Adeema), Breaking the pots – (Kanamutti bindeema), Climbing the greasy pole – (Lissana gaha nageema), and so on!

7. Anointing with Oil

Anointing heads with oil is another ritual that is not missed by Sri Lankans. Families make a concoction with herbs and various oils. The oldest family member is the one who anoints the herbal oil on the heads of the others. This anointment is done at village temples as well, wherevillagers gather to have themselves anointed by the head priest of the temple.

8. Visiting Neighbours

After the basic rituals are over, people begin to visit immediate relatives living close by and they also exchange plates full of sweet meats with friends and neighbors. It is customary to take betel leaves to worship the elders. Most people visit their hometowns and close relations even if they live far away from them!

9. Auspicious time to leave for work

Since most people make their way to their hometowns to celebrate the New Year with their family, leaving to work is also governed by an auspicious time. Usually most people leave for work at a selected auspicious time which is said to guarantee success and prosperity at their places of work.

10. Avurudu at Cinnamon

The spirit of avuruduis usually rampant at all Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts properties! The Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, especially, are beaming with festivities during the New Year. Avurudu games, food and fun were amply available for all who wanted to enjoy!

What are hoppers?

Credit: Shehara

The main ingredients in Sri Lankan hoppers are rice flour, coconut milk, eggs and a little secret ingredient that makes the edges extra crispy. Both rice flour and yeast are mixed with a blended paste of soaked rice and coconut milk. This needs to sit for a few hours until it doubles in size. The secret ingredient, a Marie biscuit, is added to the dry flour before mixing and it helps give the hopper that crunchy, crispy brown edge. A hopper isn’t authentic if it is not made in a traditional hopper pan, so make sure you grab one of those too!

Types of hoppers?

Hoppers are of three kinds, whilst two look like good old pancakes the other looks like a nest of rice noodles and is famous for its texture. The third type of hopper is crispy around the edges and has a soft core in the center. An egg hopper is the same as a hopper, but with a steamed egg on top. These always taste better with a generous sprinkle of salt and ground black pepper on top.
The same batter that is used for hoppers is sometimes used to make flat crepe-like pancakes. They are then rolled with grated coconut mixed with coconut treacle and lime.

How to eat hoppers?

Hoppers are usually a breakfast meal, but it can be enjoyed at any time of day! Sweet or spicy, the choice is yours! If you prefer to have hoppers, there will most probably be a mix of both kinds, regular hoppers and egg hoppers that will arrive at your table. The bowl-shaped hopper is perfect for topping with side dishes. These hoppers are almost always enjoyed with seeni sambol, a sweet and spicy caramelized onion concoction that captures the hearts of many. Another classic addition to hoppers is pol sambol, which is grated coconut mixed with chilli and lime. For more elaborate hopper meals, there will be some kind of curry. It might be fish or chicken curry in a roasted curry base and juicy coconut milk sauce.

You just may have to leave out the cutlery and dig in with your fingers, in a truly Sri Lankan fashion!

Where to eat hoppers?

Nuga Gama is a themed Sri Lankan Restaurant, set around a 200-year-old banyan tree situated right at the heart of Colombo at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. Head on over to Nuga Gama at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo to taste this local staple which is perfectly customizable to your preference, either sweet or spicy! The perfect village experience and the yummiest hoppers awaits you!

Here are 8 things you must do on your cultural triangle Sri Lanka tour;

01. Visit Kandy and its historical sites

Credit – Ivy Lane

You can start off at our five-star property, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, and among others visit the famed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Embakke Devale. The historic Embekka Devalaya situated close to the hotel. Kandy, situated in a stunning natural landscape of rolling hills and mountains never cease to leave travelers in a jaw dropping excitement with its evocative and lush green landscapes but that is not all! Kandy was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site owing to the places of cultural importance including the Temple of the Tooth in all its ancient majesty and sacrality. Experience the beauty of Kandy while you indulge with us at Cinnamon Citadel Kandy situated at the heart of all these sites in Kandy.

02. Visit the Temple of Wood Carvings in Kandy, the Embakke Devalaya

Credit – Nuwan Sameera

The unique feature of this temple is that everything consists entirely of wood, with no other materials being used. It provides a feast for the eyes with its columns, pillars and doors all adorned with breathtaking wood carvings and the roof too has its own special design done in wood. Don’t miss out on this unique experience, witness the talents of the Gampola Era.

03. Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Credit – Alex and James

Thereafter, you can make your way to one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka; The ancient Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, renowned to be the 8th wonder of the world. We assure that the climb up is worth the beautiful view from atop the rock fortress and is sure to leave you amazed at the beauties of this island. You can book your stay at our properties, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and Habarana Village by Cinnamon, situated in close proximity to the rock.

04. Visit the Historic city of Anuradhapura

Credit: Sandra M

Anuradhapura forms part of the Cultural Triangle and it is no surprise why it has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as it is a repository of ancient monuments and artefacts. The city is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the country which has been continuously inhabited, and is home to many a cultural monuments and historical artefacts making it a treasure trove for history-lovers and enthusiasts.

05. Ensure you cover all these sites to see in Anuradhapura

There are some places to visit in Anuradhapura which are a must, these include you the Sacred Bodhi Tree Temple also called the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya considered to be the second most sacred place in Sri Lanka after the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. It is widely believed that this tree came from the seed of the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The tree has been maintained for over 2000 years making it the oldest authenticated tree in world history.

Visiting the Abhayagiri Monastery which homes the twin ponds (Kuttam Pokuna) is also a must visit. The ingeniously designed twin ponds are over 1500 years old and the irrigation technology used in its creation is way beyond its era. It’s famed to be among the most advanced examples of hydraulic engineering that existed at the time.

The Abhayagiri Monastery also homes an ancient moonstone (Sandakadapahana) dating back to the 1st century BCE. A moonstone is a slab of stone cut into the shape of a semi-circle and bears intricate carvings. During the ancient times, almost all Buddhist temples had a carved moonstone at its entrance. All the layers of carvings on the moonstone depicts various symbols and other depictions.

06. Visit the Royal Cave Temple at Dambulla

Credit – Andjela Curcic

For a pleasant surprise of colour, artefacts and statues, you must visit the Cave Temple at Dambulla situated in top of a rock. What awaits you atop this rock is simply breathtaking and definitely worth the climb of 160 m. Magnificent wall paintings and over 150 statues in and around the temple make this temple a tourist hotspot that can be visited easily during your stay at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana or Cinnamon Village by Cinnamon.

07.Tour the Ancient city of Polonaruwa

Credit: Solène Villemain

Polonaruwa is another city which forms part of the cultural triangle and is full to the brim with rich culture and history. The ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa contain many Bhramanic constructions from the Chola civilization and is simply heaven for history lovers and sight-seeing enthusiasts owing to the countless ruins to witness. The places to visit in Pollonaruwa include the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Hetadage, Rankoth Vehera, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, Gal Vihara and Vatadage.

08.Cycle around an ancient city

When you visit the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, comprising of Anuradhapura, Polonaruwa and Kandy, the most popular, the best and most preferred method of transport is a bicycle. Bicycles can be hired all over these cities for a cost of about USD 5-7. So let your hair down and cycle around the much loved ancient cities of Sri Lanka.