Our Story
About Us
A pilgrimage service built by a pilgrim, for pilgrims, since 2002.
- Lakdiva Travels founded
- 2002
- Lakdiva Travels founded
- Years of Palitha's own pilgrimage experience
- 30+
- Years of Palitha's own pilgrimage experience
- Registered with the Ministry of Buddha Sasana
- MBRCA/01/14/01/87
- Registered with the Ministry of Buddha Sasana
How We Started
Every pilgrimage begins with a single step, and ours began with many.
Palitha Matharage made the pilgrimage to Dambadiva himself for many years before founding Lakdiva Travels in December 2002. Walking the sacred ground of Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini, he came to see how much a journey like this depends on the care behind it: the right guidance, comfortable travel, and an understanding of the places being visited. He started Lakdiva Travels to offer devotees that care.
Drawing on more than thirty years of his own pilgrimage experience, and with Lakdiva Travels itself now serving pilgrims for over two decades, we remain what we were at the start: a pilgrimage service built by a pilgrim, for pilgrims.
I began Lakdiva Travels after years of walking the sacred paths of Dambadiva myself. What I learned on those journeys, I wanted to share with fellow devotees, so that every pilgrim could worship at the Buddha's holy places with understanding, comfort and devotion. From the start, our work has been guided by the Sangha and by respected well-wishers. To this day, we organise our tours in that spirit of service.
Palitha Matharage, Founder
What we stand for
Guided by the Sangha
Our work has always had the guidance of the Maha Sangha. Our tours are organised in the spirit of service and merit rather than mere travel.
Registered and Accountable
Lakdiva Travels is an institution registered with the Ministry of Buddha Sasana. Pilgrims have a place to visit, a number to call, and a team that answers.
- Ministry of Buddha Sasana Reg. No.
- MBRCA/01/14/01/87
- Business Reg. No.
- W/A 46666
What Makes Our Pilgrimage Different
A Sri Lankan pilgrimage experience
Meals are prepared in the Sri Lankan style, and our programmes include traditional observances such as the Bodh Gaya sil vyapara (day of precepts), kiripindu pooja and Sanghika dana.
Comfort on the road
Air-conditioned buses throughout, and air-conditioned hotel rooms on selected tours, so devotees can focus on the pilgrimage.
Everything arranged
Return flights (Colombo – Delhi – Colombo), Indian and Nepali visas, accommodation, entrance fees to Buddhist sites, and no additional charges along the way.
Peace of mind
Our tours include insurance for travellers under 70.
A guide to take with you
Our pilgrimage booklet explains the history and meaning of each sacred place, so you understand what you are seeing.
Our Pilgrimage Guide
Our pilgrimage booklet covers the history and meaning of each sacred place. Read it here page by page, or download it in Sinhala or English.
- Every sacred site, explained
- The verses recited at each place
- Route map and distances
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Our Promise
We are not here to sell tours. We are here to help devotees complete a journey many have waited a lifetime to make. Whether it is your first pilgrimage or your tenth, we will be with you at every stage.
Palitha MatharageFounder and Tour Organiser, Lakdiva Travels