The awakening of Buddha in Colombo's seaport, the Sambodhi Chaitiya stupa

Also known as Sambuddha jayanthi, this Buddhist festival is celebrated in Sri Lanka, but also in Asian countries that practise Theravada Buddhism. This religious festival correlates with the anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment.

Standing 75 metres high, the stupa dominates the entrance to Colombo's seaport and serves as a landmark for ships arriving in Sri Lanka's capital. Built in 1956 by the famous engineer A. N. S. Kulasinghe, the stupa is original for its height and location, as well as its rocket-like shape. Because the stupa is also the entrance to Colombo harbour, a busy passageway, it is built in reinforced concrete to prevent any potential problems associated with the ageing of the structure.

Visit the 75-metre-high stupa

You can climb the 123 steps of the small annex tower that leads up to the stupa. The huge wooden door is engraved with Buddhist wheels known as "Dharmachakra". These represent Buddhist doctrine and the spreading of the Buddha's teachings on the path to enlightenment.

Inside, you can admire magnificent paintings on either side of the rounded walls, depicting in chronological detail the story of the Buddha and his enlightenment.

At its centre, the stupa contains an altar dedicated to Buddha. The windows of the stupa offer an incredible view of the city of Colombo and its port. The more courageous can admire the Indian Ocean from the narrow balcony surrounding the monument.