Sri Lanka: Mosques, Churches, & Temples of Pettah

Besides markets, Pettah neighborhood is also a religion center of Colombo – with so many cultures and people congregating here – there are several notable historic mosques, old Dutch-built churches, and colorful Hindu temples standing within steps of each other on busy streets. The red and white checkerboard Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque is particularly spectacular and Disney-like, dating back to 1901. The Wolvedaal Dutch Church, built in a form of cross, is much older from 1743, with old Dutch gravestones all around. And finally there are Kathiresan Hindu temples with various gods dancing and prancing on top of their roofs. All of this in one place, side by side, in peace and harmony together!