Temple etiquette on the culture, wildlife and beach route

The same core rules apply at every Buddhist site on the route. Cover your shoulders and knees: long trousers or skirts and a top with sleeves, or a sarong and shawl carried in a day bag. Remove shoes and hats at the entrance to temple grounds, which often begins well before the shrine itself.

Inside, move quietly, keep phones on silent and avoid pointing your feet at Buddha images or monks. Never pose for photographs with your back to a Buddha image, and do not touch or climb on statues. Women should not touch monks or hand objects directly to them.

Tattoos of the Buddha should be covered; visitors have been refused entry, and in rare cases deported, for displaying them.

Anuradhapura is the most sacred site on the route, and the etiquette matters most here. White clothing is customary at Sri Maha Bodhi and is worn by most pilgrims, though not strictly required. Walk clockwise around the Bo tree and the stupas, and avoid the areas reserved for worship.

The stone terraces of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla get very hot by late morning, and shoes must be removed at each shrine. Carry thin socks to wear on hot stone; they are acceptable at most sites. Visiting early or late helps.

At Sigiriya, the summit is an archaeological site rather than a temple, but modest dress is still appreciated, and the frescoes may not be photographed with flash.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most important shrine in the country, and dress rules are enforced at the entrance. Shoulders and knees must be covered; sarongs can sometimes be borrowed or bought nearby. Shoes are left at a deposit outside.

During the puja, the crowd moves slowly past the casket chamber. Keep quiet, do not push, and keep phones on silent. Photography is allowed in some areas but not in others; follow the signs and do not use flash.

Offerings are welcome but never expected. Lotus or jasmine flowers can be bought outside the temple and placed on the flower altars. Leave a small donation in the boxes if you wish, and do not try to hand money to monks.

Kataragama is sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people, and its main shrine is a Hindu devale. Dress modestly, remove shoes, and follow the crowd at the evening puja. Offerings of fruit and flowers can be bought outside. Do not photograph inside the main shrine.

Mulkirigala's cave temples and the Tissamaharama stupa follow the usual Buddhist etiquette. Lankan Stays & Trails briefs travellers on the customs at each site before they arrive, so there are no surprises at the entrance.

Galle Fort has churches, a large mosque and a Buddhist temple within its walls. Dress modestly throughout the fort, which is a residential area, and especially near places of worship. At the Meeran mosque, visitors should cover their arms and legs, and women may be asked to cover their hair; visits are usually not possible during prayer times.

The Dutch Reformed Church and the Anglican church welcome respectful visitors outside service times.

In practice, the simplest approach is to dress for a temple every day of the trip, even on the coast. Light, loose trousers or skirts and a shirt with sleeves are cool, protect from the sun and mean you are always ready for an unplanned visit.

Ask before photographing worshippers or monks, and respect a refusal. Do not use flash in shrines or on paintings. Drones are banned at most cultural sites. Keep voices low and avoid public displays of affection at sacred sites.

On poya days, temples are especially busy with worshippers in white. Visitors are welcome, but give way to worshippers and avoid blocking paths for photographs.