Cultural Travel Guides to Sri Lanka
We have hand-selected Approach Guides relevant to travel to Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, specifically Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Indian Art & Architecture: Buddhist
Sri Lanka is the ancient and continuing stronghold of Theravada Buddhism; its Buddhist art and architecture is world-class and incredibly impressive! Ancient Buddhist art and architecture — e.g. Buddhist rock cut caves and Hellenistic-inspired painted and sculptural forms — serves as the foundation for the Indian aesthetic. In this Approach Guide, we provide a condensed, yet comprehensive overview of Buddhist architecture and sculpture, designed specifically for the traveler in India. We also provide site reviews of the most important Buddhist architectural and artistic sites in India, including Ajanta, Ellora, and Sanchi. Learn more about Buddhist art and architecture in India…
Download a FREE PREVIEW (4 of 22 pages)
Price $5.99 (Format: PDF; available for immediate download)
The Stupa Form’s Transformation Over Time
The stupa in Sanchi (located in Central India) is the original stupa, serving as the prototype for all others that followed, both in India and throughout Asia. Sri Lanka’s stupas — in the stunning sites of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa — probably adhere most closely to the original in their overall appearance. Using this Approach Guide, travelers will be able to identify stylistic changes in stupa/pagoda architecture as Buddhism migrated out of India, to China and Japan (via the Silk Road) and to Southeast Asia (via sea trade routes). Learn more about the stupas and pagodas you will encounter on your trip…
Download a FREE PREVIEW (3 of 13 pages)
Price $3.99 (Format: PDF; available for immediate download)
Religion: Buddhism
Sri Lanka is the ancient and continuing stronghold of Theravada Buddhism and this faith is pervasive even today. Buddhism began as a rebellious offspring of Hinduism in India, “Hindu Protestantism”, if you will, and migrated out of India to the rest of Asia via the Silk Road and other trade routes. This guide seeks to provide a framework for understanding the faith and help readers gain an understanding of this religion’s rich, global cultural legacy. Learn more about Buddhism…
Download a FREE PREVIEW (3 of 16 pages)
Price $3.99 (Format: PDF; available for immediate download)
Historical East-West Trade Connections
Throughout its history, Sri Lanka has served as a critical link in the global trade network as a supplier of myriad spices. Although fundamentally economic in orientation, this worldwide trade network spawned vast cultural, artistic and religious exchanges. We encourage our readers to use this Approach Guide to discover the nature of these exchanges, which served as the underlying (and often overlooked) inspiration for many of the world’s greatest cultural landmarks. Learn more about how early global trade impacts your trip today…
Download a FREE PREVIEW (2 of 7 pages)
Price $3.99 (Format: PDF; available for immediate download)
Buy this guide on amazon.com. View it on your kindle, kindle for mac, kindle for windows, or kindle for iPhone.
Note that free previews reveal only a small, yet representative, portion of the content available in the complete Approach Guides document. All images and photos in these Approach Guides and on www.approachguides.com were taken on location by David and Jennifer Raezer.
Click here to see our Suggested Reading List for India
All Approach Guides are offered as PDF files that can be downloaded and printed immediately after purchase.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. We are confident that our guides deliver an exceptional value to travelers. If you are not satisfied or find that the guide does not meet your expectations, we will refund your purchase, no questions asked.
Italy - China - India - Middle East - Southeast Asia - Turkey - Americas