Panadura is a big city in Kalutar district (Western province). It is located 27 kilometers south of Colombo. Panadur is considered the city of Renaiss Buddhism. The overwhelming number of local residents (and in all of their about 182 thousand people) - Singhals, who just do Buddhism (partially Christianity). About 13% of the population are representatives of the People of Laracalla (differently - Mauri). And Panadura is the city with the greatest population density in the district.
The city is quite convenient - Railway station "Panadura" It is almost in the center of the city, so you can get enough to the city by train from Colombo, "The Second Capital" of the Islands (we remember that the capital of Sri Lanka - Sri-Jayavarendura-Cote), and anywhere in the Western Coast and Not only. Truth, Trains Local - a kind of extreme. If you do not want to kill, go early in the morning or at night, when people are not enough, and you can sit; In the afternoon, the train from Colombo is simply not to enter, and sometimes goes on weight, in the literal sense of the word. Train doors are not closed (or just at night, and even then in the wagons 1 and 2 classes). But you can sit right on the steps and enjoy the view. Unusual! You can also get from the neighboring towns on regular buses.
Why can you go to Panador? Maybe in order to lie on the beach. Beach Panadura - Huge, sandy (sand is not snow-white, and yellow), and local residents are mostly resting on it. It is especially interesting here during the holidays - with crowds of people and trains selling snacks and ice cream. Many find the central part of the beach similar to Galle Face Green, a promenade, which extends on a half kilometer along the shore in the center of the Colombo business district - and this is not the "Idyllic Bounty Beach". Although, of course, you can swim and you need, the types are quite cute, the beach is generally clean (sometimes the garbage is found); Sometimes there are strong waves (but the shore can hide in any case.
Beaches near hotels (especially, large) often full Beach battles . They are absolutely innocuous, but sometimes come by the order of the name (once you give a cigarette - they will not be quicted, every day will be poisoned). Other locals are also pretty friendly, and there are few of them here compared to other cities of the island, where they love to refine directly on the fences of hotels.
The city is washes on the one hand, naturally, the Indian Ocean, and from other sides "hugs" long Lake Bolgoda , the largest natural lake on Sri Lanka, which covers almost two thirds of the territory of Kalutar. The depth of the lake is from 6 to 15 meters. The lake is not round - it is a system of two interconnected by the lakes with water channels. During the Dutch History of Sri Lanka (1624-1798), this lake was actively used to transport goods from the top course of the Kalu-Ganga River - in particular, on the rivers to the ocean, the rivers were constantly shipped logs from the forest of Syukharaj, and the lakes were resting. During the British day of the shore, the lakes were a popular place to hunt the birds and a vacation spot of British officers and European adventurers who moved to Colombo.
In the town is Several small Buddhist temples (Minimum 12). They are not the main attractions of the city, but some of them are pretty miles.
Also in the city there are about six Small mosques (And we do not forget that the seventh part of the population of the city is Muslim), not particularly noteworthy.
More famous temple Gangathilaka Vihara It is true that he is not in Panadour, but in Kalutar, the main city of the district (located at half an hour to south from Panadura). Next to the temple grows Kalutar Bodkhia - Bodhi tree (Sacred Ficus), which is considered one of 32 seedlings from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapur, the main sacred ficus, grown from a bodhi tree process, under which Gautama reached enlightenment and became a Buddha. Is it worth saying that this is one of the most revered religious places in Sri Lanka!
Generally, Rest in Panadour can be called very calm . Along the coast of the ocean, the lake and the river, several decent hotels are built; Not deprived city and restaurants. Everything for a good life, as they say. Alcohol is not sold everywhere, and it is expensive, so you need to be interested in local. Stores in the city as a whole are not cheap, but at least fruit are not very expensive (thanks). Any disadvantages bathe good infrastructure and a wonderful calm atmosphere: go to the beach - left - no one, to the right of the right: the dream of a tired tourist!
