Visiting Temples: Temple Etiquette and Dress Codes
Temple Etiquette – Full Moon Poya Days in Sri Lanka
Every full moon in Sri Lanka is a Poya day. It is a public holiday observed nationwide.
On Poya days, Buddhists visit temples, meditate, and reflect.
Shops selling alcohol are closed. Many businesses reduce activity.
Tourists should expect busier temples and quieter nightlife.
Poya days are ideal for cultural immersion but less suitable for party seekers.
How Many Full Moon Poya Days are there in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has twelve Poya days each year.
Each commemorates a significant event in Buddhist history.
Travellers should be respectful and follow Temple etiquette
A Quick Guide to Visiting Temples: Dress Codes and Temple Etiquette
Temples are sacred spaces. Visitors must follow respectful dress codes.
Temple etiquette:
– Wear white or light clothing.
– Cover shoulders and knees.
– Remove shoes before entering.
– Avoid loud behaviour.
– Do not pose with your back to Buddha statues (sideways is acceptable).
Photography is allowed in some areas but should be discreet.
Always ask permission if unsure.
Carrying flowers or incense is common.
Tourists can join rituals respectfully.
Recommended Books on Buddhism and Hinduism
Travellers interested in temple etiquette and deeper understanding can explore these books:
– Buddhism in Sri Lanka: A Short History by H. Bechert.
– The Buddhist Monks and Monasteries of India by S. Dutt.
– Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction by K. Flood.
– The Dhammapada translated by Eknath Easwaran.
– The Buddha and His Teachings by Narada Thera.
These works provide insight into Sri Lankan Buddhism and Hindu traditions.
Why GlenMyu Boutique Villa is Perfect for Holidaymakers
Holidaymakers often seek peace away from crowded towns.
GlenMyu Boutique Villa offers tranquillity while remaining close to major attractions.
Sights Worth Seeing
Nearby sights include:
– Horton Plains National Park
– Upper Diyaluma Waterfall
– Lipton’s Seat
– Nine Arches Bridge
– Little Adam’s Peak
– Ravana Waterfall
Food, Nature, Animals and Comfort
Guests enjoy plant‑based menus, nature walks, and animal companionship.
The villa provides comfort and privacy during busy holiday periods.
We recommend contacting us directly via WhatsApp for the best rates.
Message us at 00 94 752 999 272.
FAQs on Poya Days, Temple Etiquette and Temple Visits
Q: What happens on a Poya day in Sri Lanka?
A: Temples are busy with worshippers.
Alcohol sales stop.
Many businesses close or reduce activity.
Q: What should I wear when visiting a temple?
A: Wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees.
White is preferred.
Remove shoes before entry.
Q: Are temples crowded on Poya days?
A: Yes, temples attract large numbers of local worshippers.
Visit early for a calmer experience.
Q: Which tourist sights are busiest during holidays?
A: Nine Arches Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, and Ravana Waterfall are busiest during weekends and holidays.
Q: How can I learn more about Buddhism and Hinduism?
A: Read books such as The Dhammapada or Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction.
Why stay at GlenMyu?
Two Lounges where you can relax, chat and enjoy the views
GlenMyu Boutique Villa has two comfortable lounges that have views of the southern hills.
The middle floor have ample seating where you can sit together or separately, if you want some space.
Dining is on the lower floor of the house.
We also have a snug which is an ideal place to have a pre-dinner drink and chat about your day in the Sri Lankan hills.
Three comfortable Bedrooms
We only have three guest bedrooms at GlenMyu Boutique Villa.
The Mahogany and Mango bedrooms are situated on the middle floor and have a communal lounge.
All the beds in the bedrooms look out over the views to the south of the island through floor to ceiling windows.
Our Cinnamon bedroom is on the ground floor of the property and has direct access to the gardens.
The Swimming Pool
Our Natural Spring-Fed Swimming pool at GlenMyu Boutique Villa is located a short walk from the house.
Guests like that fact that it is private and not overlooked by the house.
Surrounded by nature, it is a wonderful place to relax whilst listening to the soundtrack of bird songs.
Food, glorious food!
Our food offering at GlenMyu Boutique Villa is mainly plant based or vegetarian as we are able to source good quality fresh ingredients.
However, we do offer some fish and chicken dishes for our guests.
Breakfast is quite substantial and guests often skip lunch.
We make our dishes freshly to order from the best ingredients we can find.
What we serve to you is important to us and Ru and the team have a good reputation for cuisine with a hint of Sri Lankan flavours.
Amma shows you how to cook Sri Lankan
We offer a complimentary Sri Lankan cookery demonstration at GlenMyu Boutique Villa when our guests order our Sri Lankan sharing platter.
The platter consists of six or seven vegetarian dishes and is served with rice or flat bread.
It’s a fun and interesting experience. We love it when our guests try making some of the dishes when they get home.
Ruwanthi's garden tour
There are five acres at GlenMyu Boutique Villa and we grow various fruits, vegetables, and spices.
Ruwanthi is happy to provide a garden tour to interested guests.
Often you will pick some of the ingredients that will be used in the meals that you will eat that evening.
Book directly and save
We recommend contacting us directly via WhatsApp for the best rates.
Message us at 00 94 752 999 272.
We reward guests for finding us directly by offering direct booking rates.
Stay at GlenMyu to explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country
GlenMyu is listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
Contact us by the WhatsApp button on our website for direct booking rates.
Stay at GlenMyu as you explore the Sri Lankan Hill Country
See sights like Horton Plains National Park is a unique experience.
We only have three bedrooms and you will need to book early during the peak holiday season.
The estate is usually within an hours drive of the major sightseeing locations such as Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Town, Upper Diyaluma Waterfall, Lipton’s Seat, Bambarakanda Waterfall and many more.