Our Weekend Getaways

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred Bo tree in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka is considered to be the oldest living tree in the world with a recorded history. As per the written history of Sri Lanka, the sacred Bo tree in Anuradhapura is grown from a cutting of the southern branch from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree of Bodhgaya, India under which Lord Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The sapling has been ceremoniously brought to Sri Lanka in 236 BC. King Devanampiyatissa received this sapling and planted it at the present site in Mahameghavana Garden. Since its establishment, the Sacred Bo tree has received the protection of Kings, monks and the Buddhist people. Over the centuries walls and railings have been constructed around the Bo tree for protection. Today, the Bo tree is located on a high terrace about 6.5 meters above the ground level surrounded by four other lower-level terraces. The outer wall has 4 entrances. Moonstone at the base of the steps Ruins of some previous ancient walls had

The temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a world heritage-listed temple that enshrines the left tooth of the Gautama Buddha. The sacred relic was housed in many different cities and temples before it was moved to its current destination in Kandy. The Sacred relic was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha from the city of Kalinga in ancient India, during 301 -328 AD. It was kept in a shrine within the royal palace in Anuradhapura, the capital at the time.  Along with the honour and protection offered to the sacred relic, it soon became a symbol of Royalty and it was accepted that whoever possessed the Tooth Relic had the legitimate right to sovereignty. It was a prime duty of the Sinhalese kings to protect the Sacred Tooth Relic and perform rituals.  Whenever capital cities were changed due to invasions and other reasons, a shrine was built within the precincts of the royal palace to house the Sacred Tooth Relic. Ruins of such shrines can be found in the ancient c

Burraga Track in Bidjigal Reserve is a 5 km circuit walk only a few Kilometers away from home. Bidjigal Reserve is 186 hectares and spread across the suburbs of Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, West Pennant Hills, North Rocks. Northmead and Carlingford. This reserve is home to a few walking tracks like The Platypus Track, Burraga Track, Murri-Yanna Track and Echidna Track. Most Tracks have multiple entry points. For today, we decided to follow Burranga Track and we started from Ted Horwood Reserve, Baulkham Hills. The track starts from  the picnic shelters at  the back of the Ted Horwood Reserve. Start of the Track from Ted Horwood Reserve Burraga is the Darug word for bandicoot and the track is marked on maps and guiding posts with a yellow Bandicoot. The track is never too far away from water and has a few creek crossings over stepping stones. The track is mostly unpaved bush track. However, it is not too challenging as it is quite flat. We were looking for a nice spot by the water to ha