Just after Hari’s Doowili Eli Hike, I received a call asking if I’d like to join him for a leisure journey as he felt he deserved a break after the mighty hike. I too didn’t mind one so long as it met my expectations. Fortunately, Hari managed to convince Sanketha too to join and we decided to go to Elpitiya where one of the least heard and explored Andahelena Falls is located.

He’d come across Malaka’s Trip Report about this waterfall and the nearby Monastery, Diwankaralena and we thought it’d be a good opportunity for us to visit them at a snail’s speed. He set the date for 15 May and it turned out I will of course not have a break as Tony and I were to visit waterfalls in Ratnapura and Deraniyagala on 13 and 14 May.

We set off around 6.30am on the 15th May in Sanketha’s car and I was grateful for that coz 550+km on two consecutive days sitting on the back of Tony’s old bike had taken its toll on me.

Tour Highlights:

1. Andahelena Falls, Pituwala

2. Diwankaralena Hermitage, Pituwala

3. Wathurawila Monastery, Wathurawila

Andahelena Falls

Take the Elpitiya-Pituwala-Kahaduwa till you reach Pituwala Village. Just before the village you’ll see a sign giving you the directions to Diwankaralena Hermitage to the left. Take this road about half a km till you reach a small restaurant-cum-hotel to the right. Remember if you go by a car, this is where you’ll have to leave it as the road is not good for low clearance vehicles. You’ll anyway have to pay for parking but we couldn’t get the hang of how they charge. We had to pay Rs. 140/- as we left our car and the bike which Hari’s two friends came by.

The falls and the hermitage are located inside “Beraliya Mukalana”. From this hotel, walk downhill (to the left) and you’ll come to a junction where the road forks into two. The left one will take you to the falls about half a km walk through the forest crossing a couple of water streams while the right (rather straight one) will take you to the hermitage about 300-400m away. Both the falls and hermitage are located close to each other.

Andahelena Ella is created by the Andahelena Dola, probably giving her the name.

Where we parked the vehicle but he was barely out of the bed

Just look at this

Emerald dove on the hunt

It really was a treat to walk under this

The first stream

Very little water despite heavy rains in the last week

Gayan, Pubudu and our team walking along

Tea plantations at the edge of the forest

Second stream

Long toes

There she is, very little water to speak of

Up close

Closer

Side view

Nothing much in the base pool for Hari’s disappointment

You can see the railing to the top left where you can climb to the top. That’s how they got up there

From the top

Water going down

We kept going further up

Another pool wide enough for a bath but was heavily littered

Further uphill but the same story, plenty of garbage left by the idiotic travelers

On our way back

Diwankaralena Hermitage

At the entrance

She was very suspicious

Here’s the main complex

Steps to go up

Closer

Rocky cave

Looks pretty big

Inside and as usual paintings on the rocky ceiling

Closer

Sadu! Sadu!! Sadu!!!

One of my favorite ones

Lovable

Bunch of them at the small hotel I mentioned

He was at the hotel while we had some snacks

Wathurawila Monastery

Continue along the Kahaduwa Road till you reach Kahaduwa Junction and from there go further towards Wathuruwila where this is located.

We were very fortunate to see Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha at the Wathurawila Temple. We didn’t even have to wait in a queue as they must’ve been on display for Vesak Poya.

The main entrance

You can see Gayan and Pubudu walking along this shady path which is very cool

It felt like Bandarawela in this stretch, must be due to the plenty of trees on either side.

The trees keep the scorching heat away

Not a real one

Going uphill

Ariel view

Giant Buddha statue being carved on the rock

Up close

Looks amazingly beautiful

This is being used to carry stuff to where the statue is being carved

Another cave now heavily modified

They were picture crazy

Here’s what it was

From the Wathurawila Monastery, we went to Gayan’s Uncle’s place where we had our packed lunch sponsored by Gayan’s parents. His uncle is also a very knowledgeable person and we enjoyed a nice little chat with him about Meemure (see she seems to follow me everywhere) as he’d been in Loolwatte a long time ago.

Afterwards, we tried to visit a place called Kaludiya Pokuna but got the news that it was swarming with people so had to abandon the idea. Later we went to another popular bathing area but it too was no exception. Plenty of people were drinking and bathing and I decided to go upstream looking for a calm and quiet place which we finally found about 200m away from the mayhem.

Deep but plenty of drunkards hanging around

Tiny cascade

Going upstream looking for a quiet place

Finally got one

Here it is

We lied along this giving a water message

He was wondering if Hari had never seen water before

Looks like black tea

Ciao

After a nice cool splash in the water we returned to Colombo well before darkness, a rare feat. This could be one of my smallest trip reports and I wasn’t planning on writing this in the first place but under a lot of pressure from Sanketha and Hari, I was forced to do so.

Hope you guys enjoyed it and found this very little known beauty is worth a visit.

Take care and keep travelling.

Sri…

Guess most of you know all about Kohonawala from Ashan (View Trip Report) and Sri (View Trip Report)

Reading Sri’s  Report made a few of us think of getting the wheel chair that was needed by the little boy in Kohonawala. With Sri’s help we made contact with the Hamuduruwo to get a bit more information. During the conversation he spoke of many older people who had bad eye sight but were unable not get spectacles. So could we arrange for something to be done about it?

On Poson Poya day a few of us climbed down to Kohonnawala, along with an absolutely fantastic ( more on that later) three member medical team from the Vision 2020 project of the Ministry of Health.

We decided to follow the route taken by Ashan, down, down, down from Modolsima.

start of the 3.5 hour hike down to the village

Down, down, down…

And finally, using an ambalama as it is meant to be used: for rest, and food!

Mid point and lunch break

Over 3 hours later we reached the village. Not very fast, but we were carrying (with the help of a villager) all the equipment needed for the eye camp including spectacles.

T20 champions!

The Champion V2020 – විස්සයි විස්සේ  team – entering the village. Dr. Asela Abeydeera, Ms. M.D. Priyangani, Ms. Nisansala Wickramasinghe. This is the team that carried out the eye camp. Such complete dedication, kindness and cheerfulness even when they themselves were dead tired, wanting a meal or a drink. Nothing stopped their work, nor how well they treated every single person who came to the camp. Best team ever!

A bit of a rest in the temple, a bath in the stream, food prepared according to the menu requested by Sri and it was time for the Poson Poya pinkama.

from the village, poson moon rised over the hills we crossed

The full moon rising over the hills we climbed down and bathing the village in silver light

Hamuduruwo preparing for the pinkama

Poson poya pinkama in the village

A special බුද්ධ වන්දනාව සහ පුජාව. According to the Hamuduruwo, Sri, Athula, Prasanna and Tony had helped out with getting the necessary items to make this pinkama possible.

Day 2, and we were up by 5.30 as the eye camp was scheduled to start at 6.30. And yes, the sun had risen by that time!

Eye camp starts – Iinitial screening

Team at work

Prepation

Testing and providing reading glasses

By the end of the eye camp at Kohonawala, about 45 reading glasses had been provided free, 10 patients had been identified as needing cataract operations. The Vision2020 team will arrange for free surgery and provide the lenses free of charge if we can provide transport for the patients.

Testing

Special issues are checked by the Doctor.

.

Happy with their new reading glasses

The children who were attending the Kohonawala school were screened at the school. This gave us the opportunity to visit the school and meet the young head teacher/principle.

The school was extremely impressive. It was tiny. Just one hall and on the day we visited 13 children were in school. We huffed and puffed up the hill to the school , but there seemed to be no one there. There was total silence. The compound was spotlessly clean and the school looked so well cared for we decided to take a look. And…inside the hall all the students were busily and quietly studying, and the teacher was seated at the desk marking books.

Screening the students – none needed glasses.

Grade 4 and 5

Amazingly, this tiny well maintained school had excellent facilities. A neat and nice play area with swings donated by a group linked to the habour. A tiny computer room with a flat screen computer, dongle based internet connection ( yes, they had read the Lakdasun trip reports on Kohonawala!) and..a sparkling projector – all provided by the government under the development of small schools project.

Guess who were not disciplined – the visitors!

School head teacher and kids

computer lab

Back in the village, we visited the little boy for whom we are in the process of getting a wheel chair

Next time we will take him a wheel chair

Then, packed everything up – with most of the spectacles gone, the load was much less and started the walk out of the village. This time we took the route that Sri had taken, it’s a sort of jeep track and ends in the ‘Block Gal Oya’ (Loggal oya), from there we tried to travel in a three wheeler, but ended up pushing it up hill more than travelling in it!!

‘Block gal’ oya

Finally made it to Urumeethanne…to find the village was waiting expectantly for the eye team – a totally unscheduled eye camp!! Dr. Asela, Ms. Priyangi and Ms. Nissansala did not even pause for a drink of water, despite the exhausting walk they had just done. They immediately got down to business. About 10 more spectacles were provided and 2 cataract cases identified. This is what is called service with a smile.

Unscheduled at urumeetanna

And, at the end of a very satisfactory day, we opened up the lunch packets that the Kohonawala Hamuduruwo had packed for us, and had it with fresh Kurumba brought to us by the villagers of Urumeethanna.

lunch at 4pm

A very very satisfying trip Thank you to all those who helped make it a success.

රුහුණු කතරගම දෙවියන්ගේ පිහිට ප්රාaර්ථනා කරගැනීමට කතරගම දේවාලයට එන බැතිමතුන් කතරගම දෙවියන් පිදීම සඳහා යන තවත් අනුහස් ඇති ස්ථානයක් යාල වනෝද්යාgනයේ පිහිටා තිබේ. ඒ සියඹලාව හෙවත් කැබිලිත්ත දේවාලයයි.දෙවියන්ගේ කැලය ලෙස අතීතයේ ජනයා හැදින්වු මෙම ඓතිහාසික භූමිය පිහිට ඇත්තේ යාල වනෝද්යාිනයේ කළාප අංක 3 කොටසේය.

කැබිලිත්තට යෑමට මාර්ග හතරක් පවතී. ඒවානම්, යාල ජාතික වනෝද්යාැනයෙන් පැමිණ කලාප අංක 2 ඔස්සේ මැණික් ගඟ හා කුඹුක්කන් ඔය තරණය කිරීමෙන්ද, කුමන ජාතික වනෝද්යාවනය හරහාද, යාල කළාප අංක තුනට අයත් ගල්ගේ මාර්ගයෙන්ද, මොනරාගල හරහා කොටියාගල ඔස්සේ ඇති මාර්ගයද යන ඒවා වේ.

‘‘මුහුණු සයකි අත් දොළහකි මයුරාපිට වාහනේ” කී සැණින් සංකේතවත් වන්නේ කතරගම දෙවියන්ය. කාර්තිකේය දෙවියන් ලෙස දෙවිවරු අතරින් අතිශය පුද පූජා ලබන දෙවියකු ලෙස කතරගම දෙවියන් සැලකේ. ස්කන්ධ කුමාර,වේලූපිල්ලේ, මුරුගන්, වේලන්, සුබ්රූමනියම්, කන්දසාමි, කදිරදේව, කදිරවේල්, කාර්තික, තාරකාජින්, යන නම් වලින් හින්දූ භක්තියන්ගේ වන්දනාමානයට පාත්රම වන්නේද කතරගම දෙවියන්ය. අදවනවිට හින්දු පමණක් නොව බෞද්ධයන් අතරද සුවිශේෂ ඇදහීම්වලට මෙන්ම ගෞරවාදරයට පාත්ර වූ දෙවියකු ලෙස කතරගම දෙවියන් ප්රයකටය. බොහෝ අනුහස් ඇති දෙවියකු ලෙස කතරගම දෙවියන් විශ්වාස කරන අතර ජන ශූන්යෙ පරරය දේශ වලදී කතරගම දෙවියන්ගේ පිහිටාරක්ෂා්ව ලැබීම ගැන විවිධ ජනපරයන්වාද ද සමාජයේ පවතී. මේ කැබිලිත්ත දේවලය කතරගම දෙවියන් භාවනා යෝගීව වැඩ සිටින ස්ථානයක් ලෙස අදටත් පිළිගනු ලැබේ.

අතීතයේදී අප රට ආක්ර මණය කළ විදේශිකයන් කතරගම දේවලායේ වස්තුව පැහැර ගන්නට මාන බැලූ අතර අපේ මුතුන් මිත්තන් විදේශීය අකරාරමමණයෙන් දේවාලයේ වස්තුව බේරා කැබිලිත්තේ රාළ නමැති කපු මහත්තයාට දෙවියන්ගේ වස්තුව භාර කරණ ලදී. පසුව අද දක්නට ලැබෙන සියඹලා ගසේ ඒ වස්තුව හංගා පූජාව කළ අතර පසුව එම වස්තුව නැවත දේවාලයට රැගෙන එන ලදී. කැබිලිත්තේ රාළ ඕලන්දකරයන් සමග තනියම ලොකු සටනක් කර මිය ගිය අතර එම කැබිලිත්තේ රාළ පසුව කතරගම දෙවියන්ගේ අණින් සියඹලා දේවාලය රැක ගනු ලබන බව ජනප්රනවාදයේ එයි…

මෙම කැබිලිත්ත හෙවත් සියඹලා දේවාලය වැඳ පුදාගැනීම ලෙහෙසි පහසු කාරියක් නොවේ. එම ගමනට යන අය මස් මාංශයෙන් තොරව මාසයක් පමණ පේවීම අනිවාර්ය වේ. මෙම ගමනේදී ඉතා දුෂ්කර මාර්ග රැසක් පසුකර යායුතුය. තලාකොළආර, කටුපිලආර වැනි ජල මාර්ග කිඹුලන්ගෙන් ගහනය. ගල්ගේ මාර්ගයෙන් හැර අනෙක් මාර්ග 3න් යන සෑම අයකුම කැලේ දේවාලය අඩවියට පිවිසීමෙන් පසු කුඹුක්කන් ඔයට බැස එගොඩ වී යායුතුය. රැගෙන යන පලතුරු ඇතුළු පුද පූජා ගංවැල්ලේ ළිං හරා එම ජලයෙන් සෝදා, පූජාවට තැබිය යුතුවේ. එසේම මෙම ප්රෙදේශයට ආවේනික වූ දේව නීති රැසක් පවතින අතර යන බෙහෝ පිරිසක් එම නීති කඩමින් පුද පූජා තැබීම මත විවිධ උපද්රටවවලට ලක් වන බවද විශ්වාසයේ පවතී.

භක්තියෙන් යන බැතිමතුන්ට සෙතක් ද භක්තියෙන් තොරව යන අයට හිරිහැර දුක් කරදර ඇතිවන බව එහි ගිය බොහෝ දෙනෙක් පවසති. කෙසේ හෝ සියළු දුෂ්කරතා විද දරා ගනිමින් දෙවියන්ගේ පිහිට හා රැකවරණය පතා බොහෝ බැතිමතුන් මෙහි ගමන් කරයි…

I try to worship “Kebiliththa” one time before in “Kotiyagala” way in but I can’t fulfill it and I had go back spent two nights in the jungle unacceptably. Any way I can get the chance to sweet dreaming about worship Kebiliththa after one year. It was a novel experience for us to fulfill ritual as vegetarians after fixing dates for journey before one month. Very arduous thing is it falls in the New Year period.

We were looking to be an edge for 13th but we feel it spent long time to rise 13th. However that day risen with new intention. We ready to go with packing all consecration items orderly and we left from “Baththaramulla” at about 10.00 pm by hired van. The way had fallen Rathnapura, Udawalawa across Thanamalwila. Three of them who get on to the van soon are lucky to get a long sleep but unfortunately I have to go to front seat an be sleepy to Katharagama .

We came to Katharagama at about 3.30 am in the morning and there after we get a little wash and ready to worship “Kiriwehera”. After got the bless of Kiriwehera and then entered Katharagama dewalaya and our driver joined with us here. Then we got bless for our journey by keeping a special dedication and vow to god Katharagama.

At kiriwehera pagoda at dawn

Worshiping usual “Katharagama dewola”

Along the green canopy

The way of Buththala Katharagama

The way through “Yala National Park”

End of its life harshly

If the appearance is very old but it has lots of strength

We started the journey at about 7.30 am after packing all baggage to our jeep. The way had fallen across Katharagama Buththala road. Then we entered to “Galge” entrance to get the tickets an entered to forest across zone 3. We prayed for god to take permission go forward by hanging branch of leaves on a tree after 1 km. At the started the way was dry and less of mud because there was a sunny weather throughout the week.

They waiting to open the gate until we come

At the entrance

Get the blessing of god

The way is very clear at the start

ඇතුල් වන්නට අවසරයි දෙවිදුනී ඔබේ පුද බිමට !!!

He decided yet which the way selected

The way is tough further

Naturally…

He looks wondering who are the visitors…

We all felt long hungry, so jeep stops at a large stone rock. Then we got our breakfast and took small rest. Again we continued the journey after few min. Then few km a head the way was muddy. Our jeep also sank in the mud but that’s not a problem, our driver had techniques to escape from it skillfully. Even he had to use cable for some places.

Actually this is the real off-road driving

Getting the support of cable

It’s better because of the dry weather

Go forward like this again met a huge muddy area and when we went along that we bog in the mud further. We haven’t to do anything the only alternative is got down to the mud & push the jeep. Because of that is an open area there is no any tree put the cable. We all were resource less for a moment. The time spent like this about 15 min.

But as a wonder we heard a voice of tractor some distance from us. Oh… It was an army tractor, there were 8 army soldiers and they transported wood their camp. They got down and ran out to us. They gave their cooperation to our driver. Then we could forward by the assist of them. The next challenge was cross over the mud safely by loaded tractor. We all were looking with stumble at that. Unfortunately they couldn’t cross over an instantly it had fallen in to the mud. We don’t hesitate and join with them to stand the tractor. After that we left them at go forward.

The moment which resource less

Friends which received by god…

Go forward through muddy way

Do you see how tough?

We do it our best

Ready to go ahead again

Sacred Boo tree

Taking permission to enter the sacred area

Blessing of god Katharagama…

Passing open area

Inheritors of the kingdom

After about 6 hour long tired journey we could reach the destination with the bless of god. While the journey we had to cross over many streams but it’s not so difficult because of dry weather. We spent 30km by now and it was about 1.30 pm in the “Kumbukkan oya” bank.

Climb down to stream

Cross over the stream. (It was easy because of drought period)

Along the bower

It was a risky moment

If we can enter to “Dewala” premises by the “Galge” root only and other 3 ways are fallen to other side of the bank. There was tiny army camp in the other bank and pilgrims are lodging at this bank. We also cross over the “Kumbukkan oya” with our camping items. It’s not hard because of the low water level. Soldiers of the camp warmly welcomed us. It was a very happy and good fitness for us.

The “Kumbukkan oya”

It’s helps to cross over the river rainy season

As the chief of the camp lieutenant Mr. Walisundara welcome us in a friendly manner. He search our ever needs and get the chance to camping there site. After we all got a long bath in “Kumbukkan oya” as our wish. When we back to the camp, army friends were kind to present us the lunch also. It was ambrosia for us at that time.

Cross over the “Kumbukkan oya”

Steady…

He had to cross over the stream many times

Our tiny lodge

Classical

It was challenge for them (Because of its waving)

Now we enter to the most important part of the journey. That is preparing the “මුරුතැන් පූජා”. It should participate only male. So Sithum, I & Wimal uncle were participated it. There was special custom for that. Nimal uncle have a great knowledge about that. We had done that fides.

Ready to Pooja

Preparing “මුරුතැන් පූජා”.

Devotion…

Prosperity

Ready to offer

He is looks what we are going to do

After that Bodhi pooja were held for scared “Bo tree” & special pooja for “Kebiliththa” & “Maha Siyambala” dewala. There are many special custom with this and Nimal uncle done that all of them very trusty. When we start at about 6.00 pm and it finish 10.00 pm. We were lucky to spend to this sacred place like that wesak full moon poya day night. After that we came back to camp across over “Kumbukkan oya” on the suspension bridge in the dark with the help of touch light.

Offering robe to scared Boo tree

Pilgrims

Dispassionate

Spreading Redolence

Worshiping

On the way to Siyambalawa

We are lucky to worship scared “Kebiliththa”

It’ like a “Heaven”

God’s palace

While Pooja…

It’s my fortune

At the god’s feet…

Sacred “සියඹලාව”

Thousand of aspiration!!!

Go back to camp site

It’s so special

That day dinner was very special to us because of we were lucky to get a dinner with army soldiers. Then we enter to loyal chat with them and went back our tent with the intension of comfortable sleep.

Thousand of chirps were awakening us. By then also army friends were starting their daily routing very quickly. We also ready to go back because we had gone a long journey. After the breakfast we bid adieu our lovely friends and went back. Then 2 of army soldiers were join with us to “Galge”. That’s a good strength for us.

Novel morning

She flows usually

It’s great effort of army crew

Nice dining area

Our band with heroes

Time is coming to leave

At the last time cross over the bridge

Sacred god “Katharagama” our lives make over to you

Again start our adventure journey

We have to cross over muddy areas like earlier and we use cable and escape from that. Specially two of army friends give a good support for us. So we came back with good inspiration. Went forward like this few km we met a special visitor. He crosses over our way behind 5m a head. He got frighten much. At that time we were put the cable to the jeep. So we didn’t see him which came closer. That’s the first time we met a wild bear closer like that. We get frighten yet when remind that.

Already to landing

Through the Greenland

Again start the mission (It’s easy because of our friends)

Finally we did it like this…

Just click

It was photogenic

“Keterians” we are proud of you

He done it his level best

If there is much of water the journey could be tough

We reached to “Galge” at about 12.30 pm and we didn’t forget to worship all the sacred places which we met along the way. Then of two our army friends leave us and we came back to Katharagama. Then we go to Katharagama dewalaya and worship and thanks for god about succeed our journey.

Pilgrims

Back to the home

The “Udawalawa” reservoir

Then we left Nimal uncle & get on to the van to come back. We don’t forget worship few dansal also…

It was about 10.30 pm when we back to the home finishing this immortal experience.

Thank you very much to reading my long report.

Hi there, it’s me once again with yet another of my Pic Journeys this time travelling around Welimada. My plans of visiting Diyathalawa got washed away in the intermittent rains and was looking for an alternative when my longtime friend Lasantha invited me to visit his place (maybe for the 4th time) and I managed to sift through my not-too-long contact list and find a friend (Amila aka Podi, the one who went to Morning Side with me some time ago) to go with me who wished at the end of the journey he’d never joined me. Going through the Lakdasun Bank of Trip Reports, I came across one of Ashan’s (not too surprised by it) and decided to follow his footsteps.

He claimed that he burned nearly all the fat he had both useful and unhealthy ones. I went to check the availability of Sleeping Berths of the Badulla Nigh Mail and as usual came up empty. This is my 6th or 7th attempt at getting sleeping berths but none of the time I could get them despite being there just when they opened the bookings for the particular day (10 days before). Once I was approached by what looked like a porter asking if I wanted sleeping berths but when I said they were all full he claimed that he could get them for me. Sensing of a scam, I just refused his offer and been wondering ever since if there really is some sort of a scam booking these tickets which I assume in high demands. (Do share if you’ve faced similar incidents at the comments)

I then went to the private bus stand and booked the Super Line bus and for the return journey had to resort to book the second class seats of the night mail which leaves B’Wela at 07.45pm (only on the time schedule but hardly ever on time). Podi and I left Nugegoda around 11.55pm and reached B’Wela around 4.00am. I was immediately taken by how clean the town really was. They had planted various flowers along the sidewalks, notably Sunflower (took a pic in the dark) and there was no rubbish or waste to be seen anywhere. It was impossible the cleaners had done their work before 4am and looked like they’d done a super job the previous evening and the people who used the town hadn’t littered it like many other towns. So excellent job by the Municipal Council, its workers and the people all together. We even noticed on the next day evening during our return journey that people were so disciplined as they kept to the sidewalks which were of course nicely made and kept for the pedestrians, used only the yellow stripes to cross the road and Police just kept a casual watch on the town not interfering much. What an exemplary town B’Wela has become and may the tradition continue for the future and others get influenced by that as well.

Bandarawela is a key location as this is where I started First of My Rail Hikes. So I’m glad to see B’wela getting improved the way she does.

Tour Highlights:

1. Diya Wetena Ella, Alawathugoda.

2. Keppetipola Fort.

3. Galwaysland National Park, Nuwara Eliya.

4. Diurumpola RMV, Nugathalawa.

5. Ravan Ella, Uduhawara.

6. Dowe RMV, Dowe, Bandarawela.

Day 01

We arrived in Welimada just after 6am and headed straight to Lasantha’s house and had a hearty breakfast. Then it was time to, for Podi’s dismay, get back on the road.

Diya Wetena Ella

We took a Welimada-Bogahakumbura bus (alternatively you can take a Welimada-Boralanda bus which will take you to the turn off towards Alawathugoda) and got off at Bogahakumbura town and hired a tuk-tuk to reach the destination which was about 3-4km away. Surprisingly enough most of the people knew about the waterfall even though it’s not a prominent one. The road is under construction and in a somewhat bad condition.

We reached the Alawathugoda village passing the Community Hall where we had to walk as the road had been concreted and left to rest. It was a good 600-800m walk which took its toll on Podi who kept panting all the way. Unfortunately there was very little water and it made us feel very down. Well, you can’t always be lucky and see them in full flow I guess.

Just getting started

In the distance is the Pattipola Kanda, beyond that is the railway line

The Falls is in the distance, barely seen

Zoomed all the way

Getting closer

Where’s the water?

I was disappointed, so was my friend

The middle part

Nothing much

The top

Barely able to cover the rocky surface

Keppetipola Fort

We returned to Bogahakumbura in the same tuk-tuk that cost Rs. 300/-, good bargain at the time and got into a Welimada bus and got off at Keppetipola. The fort is behind and to the right of Keppetipola Post Office. It still has the walls which are solidly built and still standing but there was no typical archaeology department board or any sign giving the importance or the history behind it. Looking inside we were surprised to see another building within the fort walls and it’s been recently built and now has a weaving factory inside.

There were 4 ladies busy at work and they had no idea about the history or the value of the fort itself. My friend joked claiming that their weaving factory will also get ancient value as it’s housed inside the fort. I wonder how on earth they built a structure inside it and why archaeology department hasn’t done anything to protect it.

From the front, still standing solidly

Side wall

Taken from the inside

They’re weaving happily

Getting the measure

Another machine and this girl was a beauty but very shy

Galwaysland National Park

Our next stop was Nuwara Eliya and we decided to walk from the town towards Nuwara Eliya Depot where it used to be the Nuwara Eliya Station (heard rumors that the railway line from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya will be reconstructed but no specific info). It’s about 600m from N’Eliya to the Galwaysland turn off just passing the depot on Kandapola Road. From the turn off there’s another 1km to the entrance of the park which we walked amid heavy protests from my friend.

The park warden was very helpful and friendly. Total cost for 2 people was Rs. 89/- and he went to great trouble to find us the balance Rs. 11/-. I’ve been to N’Eliya for the last 15 years continuously (nearly 20 times) but never got the chance to go see this place (however it’s been established in 2007). This is a heaven for bird watchers (no wonder Dhanushka, Harsha and others keep going back to this place) and boasts plenty of different birds many of which are endemic to SL.

It’s a circular trail which is roughly 2km in length and the path is nicely paved with stones except at few places.

Afterwards, we killed some time wandering along the Gregory Lake which was for a change devoid of people. Piduruthalagala loomed in the distance and brought back sweet memories of our visit there. (Check the Piduruthalagala Journey here). We then took a bus back to Welimada and went home for a sumptuous dinner and a warm bed.

Haggala larger than life

Who wouldn’t wanna live in a place like this?

Never seen this kind before

Nuwara Eliya Temple

Just took off from the Race Course

My friend nearly fainted seeing 1km

Well carpeted

Here we are

The park entrance and the offices

Beginning of the trail

The info (Click image to enlarge)

After about 100m, there’s this junction and ideally you should take the left one

Nicely paved path

Resting places

Thick forest

Rare beauties

Man-made waterholes

On the look-out. See he’s even taken off his slippers so as not to make a sound

Elephants skin like

Twisted tree

Uprooted

Skin diseases

Just finished

Know the fella? Found on the washroom door

Looking in

Can’t resist them

Just look at these colors

Reminds me of many songs

Deserted Gregory Lake Park

Bring back happy memories

It was just us and of course the doggy too

Love the colour combination

Towards Lover’s Leap

Newly addition

Many more

End of the day

Day 02

Having slept till 8.00am (a rare feat for me) and after another filling breakfast we were ready to go, this time Lasantha too joined us as we were all leaving for Colombo in the evening.

Diurumpola RMV

As usual, I’ve passed this temple many times in my previous visits but never visited (gosh how many there could be just like that) and this time didn’t wanna miss out. It’s believed that this is where Sitha took her oaths to prove herself. Located at the Nugathalawa Junction between Keppetipola and Welimada, the temple is about 100m from the main road and can easily be seen from the road. It’s distinguished feature is the 4 tiny Stupa constructed around the main one. It’s such a strange place as there are 4 Bo Trees and 3 of which are clustered together in a triangle and in the middle sits a tiny Stupa. The 4th Bo tree is just a bit off the main cluster.

There had been a tunnel mouth among the 3 Bo trees and the Stupa has built covering the entrance. Just another mystery of King Ravana legend. Special note on the Bo Maluwa coz I felt so relaxed and peaceful under the shade of the Bo trees, it makes you so calm and well I don’t know how to express it but can’t recall many places like these. Do pay a visit and stay under the Bo trees and tell me how you felt.

Have you heard “Nayata Andu Kola Wage”? This is Andu plant and the leaf has very strong aroma

Partners in crime

From the Nugathalawa Junction

Distinguishing

Just so peaceful

The legend

The triangle of Bo trees and the stupa blocking the tunnel entrance

I just love this pic

Beyond the temple and it’s believed in ancient times, this was a lake

Ravan Ella

After Diurumpola Temple, we took a bus to Welimada and reached the Clock Tower bus stand where most of the buses to the rural areas are parked. Checking around we got to know Medahinna-Welimada Bus (No. 140/1) was the ideal one to reach Ravan Ella (We took the 11.10am bus). Alternatively you can take a Bomburu Ella bus and get off at Uduhawara Junction and from there go towards Korandekumbura Village (about 2km) and another 600-800m to the falls.

The road is carpeted and in good condition but from Uduhawara under construction. If you go by own vehicle take the Ambagasdowa road and go towards Uduhawara passing Uma Ela then take the road towards Medahinna (go straight from Uduhawara coz left is towards Bomburu Ella, check out my Bomburu Ella Report here) and take another left at Korandekumbura.

You can arrange meals or even accommodation with the contact person I’ve given above.

There was very little water to speak of despite this being a fairly tall waterfall, easily topping 100ft mark.

Video of Ravan Ella

Ready to sow

Here she is

The upper part

Very little water

Base pool, not too deep but icy cold

The top

Hitting hard

The trio

Time to bid farewell

Enjoying a cracker

Dowe Cave Temple

We got back to Welimada by bus and got into it from Korandekumbura at 2.00pm. After a tasty and reasonably priced lunch at Janahitha Restaurant in Welimada (can easily recommend this place located right in front of the main bus stand) we got into a bus to B’Wela and reached around 4.45pm. From there took a trishaw to Dowe Temple (cost us Rs. 200/-) and explored it as much as we could.

Main highlight was the rock carved Buddha Statue that is around 60-70ft in height. The main image house was closed but the monks coming to do the evening rituals were kind enough to show us around. I’ve actually been to this temple before (Check My Trip Report here) but wanted to come see it again. I saw something I missed in my last visit which was the entrance to the tunnel at the back of the image house. According to a monk, this was closed after the Uprising in 1971, before that a monk accompanied by a dog had gone in but never to return again.

It’s believed that this is linked to the Bogoda Temple with the Wooden Bridge and many other places that linked to Ravana the Great.

Just got here

Significant landmark seen from the road

Not ripe yet

Gigantic rock carving of Lord Buddha

Closer

Zoomed all the way

Locked?

Solid brass lock

Entering into the image house

Paintings on the ceiling

Lotus flower paintings

They’ve somewhat destroyed the painting due to electricity supply

Behind the image house

Solidly walled tunnel entrance

Old statues

Another hallmark statue

Paintings on the rocky ceiling

Many more

Makara Thorana

Ready to go

So after a tiring day (of course 48 hours as we were constantly on the move) we got back to B’Wela and refreshed at the station and waited for the night mail which got late by 35 mins. After a restless night on the train we finally reached Fort around 6.30am and went home bleary-eyed.

Panos from Gregory Lake.

Pano 1

Pano 2

Pano 3

Pano 4

Day 01

Our starting point of this journey was Pallegama (පල්ලෙගම) town where we joined with Ashan who followed a different route to reach there. As this was Wesak Poya day we could get our breakfast from “Kadala Dansala”. Then we hired a three wheeler to Rambukoluwa (රඹුක්ඔලුව) village. On our way we have noted “Kalu Ganga” (කළු ගග) and Kalu Ganga forest dormitory. This is not the familiar Kalu Ganga for us.

Rambukoluwa is a traditional village at Knuckles forest reserve. This might be a vanishing village in near future as they have planned to build a reservoir by crossing Kalu Ganga. Though Rambukoluwa is not covered by this reservoir, villagers are asked to leave the village.

We started our walking from Rambukoluwa to Narangamuwa (නාරoගමුව). There is a foot pathway from Rambukoluwa to Imaduwa (ඉමාඩුව). From Imaduwa to Narangamuwa road is mortable. We joined with our guide at Narangamuwa and started our walking along the foot pathway to Meemure (මීමුරේ).

Foot pathway from Narangamuwa to Meemure is ascending to some extent and then it descends to Meemure. There are two foot pathways from Narangamuwa to Meemure. One goes along the base of Lakegala (ලකේගල) where you can visit at some other places including “Reassa” (රෑස්ස) and Kapuwatugala (කපුවැටූගල) caves. But we followed the other one as we wanted to reach Meemure before it gets dark.

Beautiful Rambukoluwa village

Kalu Ganga

We are crossing Kalu Ganga. These kind two villagers came to show the foot pathway

This foot pathway is branching at initial stage. Therefore better have a known person till it gets clear

“Rahayyia” රැහැයියා

Abundant water streams

Knuckles forest reserve

Beautiful foot pathway

Reaching Imaduwa village

Imaduwa has only 15 families

Starting of mortable road

Road side waterfall

Beautiful but poisonous

First glimpse of Lakegala noted on our way to Narangamuwa from Ranamure (රණමුරේ)

Reached Narangamuwa village

Starting the foot pathway from Narangamuwa to Meemure

This is the border of Narangamuwa village and forest. It is called “Korosgale Muduna”. (කොරොස්ගලේ මුදුන). We also followed rituals before enter the forest

“Thala” leaves (තලා කොළ). An alternative for beetle leaves

Foot pathway is clear in initial part

“Hal Danda” හාල් දණ්ඩා. Non venomous snake

Foot pathway crosses a dry water stream called Koswaththe Ela / Rawana Ela. කොස්වත්තේ ඇල/රාවණා ඇල

This rock may be noticed in your left hand side called Demalagala (දෙමලාගල). It is the boundary of Matale-Kandy districts. We are moving from Matale district (Narangamuwa) to Kandy district (Meemure)

Nice to walk there

Resting at “Narran Aththe Ruppe” නාරo අත්තේ රූප්පේ

Resting at “Kadawaka Ruppe” කඩවක රූප්පේ

First sign of Meemure. Brick parapet

Familiar view of Lakegala (4324 feet). This is the view you will get at Meemure

Gombaniya/Thunhisgala (6246 feet). ගොම්බානිය/තුන්හිස්ගල-Highest peak of Knuckles massif

Andirigala (අන්දිරිගල)

Crossing Meemure Oya (මීමුරේ ඔය)

Another night to Meemure

Day 02

This day our main objective was to visit at Nitro cave. There is a clear road from KCC-Corbett’s gap to Nitro cave via Karambakatiya (කරඹකැටිය). (Refer Nitro Cave rail Guide)

The trail from Meemure joins with this trail at Na-Ela (නා ඇල) village. One junction of this trail is not clear and it may miss lead you. This journey was an expedition for us as even our guide hasn’t been there.

This is the place where potassium Nitrate (gun powder) was taken by Kandyan kingdom during the war against British. Nowadays this cave is occupied by bats.

Pathway from Meemure to Nitro-cave.

Meemure->Kaikawala (කයිකාවල) ->Get the left side road just before Kaikawala cemetery (This is called Atambagolla Road) -> Atambagolla village (ඇටඹගොල්ල)-> Hunukatadegalaha (හුණුකැටදිගලහ) village-> Na-Ela (Just before Na-Ela village you will meet four way junction where proper road from Karambakatiya comes and joins with this.)->cross Na-Ela->Nitro cave.

On the way…..

Kaikawala Temple with Wesak decorations

“Alugal Lena Kanda” අලුගල්ලෙන කන්ද

Dumbanagala (5389feet) (දුම්බානාගල) is seen

The waterfall with about 10m height at Kaikawala Bridge

Over Kaikawala Bridge

Andiri Kanda. Appala Pathana (අප්පලා පතන) is shown by an arrow

Kalupahana 2 (කලුපහන 2). This is called “Hellena Gala” (හෙල්ලෙන ගල) by villagers

Atambagolla (ඇටඹගොල්ල) Bridge is crossing to reach Hunukatadegalaha village

Tiny waterfall came across over there. This is Ma oya (මා ඔය)

Surrounding view at Hunukatadegalaha village

Crossing a water stream

Mortable road to Na-Ela village

Important four way junction. Red arrow shows our way from Kaikawala. Yellow arrow shows Karambakatiya side. If you are coming by a vehicle from Deenstone side or from Meemure, you have to use this road. Blue arrow shows the way towards Na-Ela. Black arrow shows the foot pathway from Kalugala (කලුගල).

After passing Na-Ela village road gets narrow and it became a foot pathway. This might be the first distance mark we came across, placed by forest department to mark the trail

These distance marks are on right hand side of the trail. Soon after 1.4km mark, foot pathway branches. Get down by left hand side one to reach Na-ela

Crossing Na-Ela. There is a beautiful water fall just after this crossing point at Na-Ela

Waterfall from above

You can get down from left hand side from Na-Ela to reach this waterfall. Can have a nice bath there

Foot pathway restarts after crossing Na-Ela. Distance marks are there. There is a continuous ascend till you reach Nitro cave after crossing Na-Ela

On the way

First glimpse of Nitro-cave

The ladder to get into the cave is broken

From darkness…..

Bats

We four after journey

There is a small water stream pouring from top of the cave rock. This is good for refreshment after cave expedition

Lakegala

Cave is shown by the black circle. Mighty Kehelpothdoruwegala (කෙහෙල්පොත්දොරුවේගල) is shown by the arrow

Another evening to Lakegala and Kehelpothdoruwegala

Day 03

Eli Hatha (ඇලි හත)-Seven waterfalls of Meemure

This bunch of cascades is situated in between Karambakatiya (කරඹකැටිය) and Pusse Ela (පුස්සේ ඇල). If you find the entry point to the water stream, it is easy to approach Eli Hatha. Although it is called Eli Hatha, only six waterfalls are there. Now this place is getting popular between tourists.

It is safer to have a bath here. We could observe some signs of camping here.

Ashan shows the entry point to Eli Hatha. It is in left hand side of the road from Meemure, in between Pusse Ela and Karambakatiya

First three cascades. These waterfalls are about 5-10m in height

Fourth waterfall. It is situated on the left hand side of the main stream

Fifth waterfall. This is formed after first three waterfalls

Sixth waterfall, formed following fifth one

Side view of sixth waterfall

Enjoyed the beauty

Nawarathna Ella/Diyakaralla Ella (නවරත්න ඇල්ල/දියකැරැල්ල ඇල්ල) and Dalugolla Ella (දලුගොල්ල ඇල්ල)

It is worth to visit at Nawarathna Ella if you visit at Meemure as it is about 50m height waterfall. On your way to Nawarathna Ella you can enjoy Dalugolla Ella which is about 5-10m tall beautiful waterfall.

The foot pathway to Nawarathna Ella goes parallel to Meemure Oya. This foot pathway starts on the side of Meemure Dewalaya (ම්මුරේ දේවාලය) and first it lies on the side of paddy field then in knuckles forest. You have to cross the Meemure oya at two places to reach Nawarathna Ella. Therefore better have a known person in this journey. It takes 1-1.5 hours to reach the water fall.

Nawarathna Mama has accompanied Mr. Somarathna Dissanayaka-Director of Sooriya Arana film to this waterfall. This waterfall didn’t have a name and after that it was named by his name.

Meemure Dewalaya. Foot pathway is on right side of it

Passing the paddy field. Note Gombaniya/ Thunhisgala-highest peak of Knuckles massif is popping up

Entering to the forest patch

Dalugolla Ella

Dalugolla Ella. Foot pathway in it’s left side

Crossing the river from it’s left side to right side

Calm and beauty. Now foot pathway on its left hand side

“Ice Wala” අයිස් වල. Water in this part is so cool. Again have to cross the river just above this area and follow the foot pathway in left side

Diyakaralla Ella/Nawarathna Ella

Another view of Nawarathna Ella

Sooriya Arana Eli (සූරිය අරණ ඇලි)

A lot of people in Sri Lanka got to know about Meemure by this film. The waterfall is shown at film is later called Sooriya Arana Ella. It is about 2-3 tall waterfall. There are two another waterfalls just below Sooriya Arana waterfall.

Sooriya Arana Falls can be approached by a road and then a foot pathway from the Meemure village.

Bathing at first waterfall seems to be safe but other two not.

We have used a foot pathway along the paddy field to reach it

Note the proper road

Familiar place of Sooriya Arana film, where mortable road ends. “Bathalahena Ruupe” බතලහේන රූප්පේ

Sooriya Arana Waterfall

Second waterfall of Sooriya Arana

Third waterfall of Sooriya Arana

Reaching Dandenikumbura from Meemure

Third day evening we said good bye to Meemure and came to Dandenikumbura. There is a foot pathway from Meemure to Dandenikumbura and this starts close to Sooriya Arana falls-1. It takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours to reach Dandenikumbura. This foot pathway is fairly easy and goes along a flat section.

Foot pathway starts just above this water canal close to Sooriya Arana waterfall

Foot pathway to Dandenikumbura

“Ilukhena” ඉලුක්හේන paddy field. Villagers from Meemure come here and cultivate it

Most of the time foot pathway goes parallel to Heen Ganga (හීන් ගග). We could notice an unknown cascade there

Dandenikumbura Burial

Only house available at Dandenikumbura

Different view of Lakegala at Dandenikumbura

Ashan is cleaning the garden

“Rawana Dola” රාවණා දොල

“Heen Ganga” හීන් ගග

Dandenikumbura.

This abounded village is situated at the bank of “Heen Ganga”. The name Dandenikumbura came from Dan+dun (දන්දුන්) +Kumbura (කුඹුර) ->Dandenikumbura. People of this village have left the village gradually and at the moment only one house is available here belonging Nawarathna Mama’s step father. He also doesn’t stay there regularly. This house is used by people who travel to give alms for meditating sermon at Dandenikumbura from surrounding villages and hunters. We cleaned the house and made for our accommodation at 3rd day night. It has all necessary cooking equipments. Rawana dola starts from Lakegala flows close to this house and it joins with Heen Ganga.

Day 04

This day our plan was to reach Sulugune (හුලුගුනේ) via Galamuduna (ගලමුදුන) village. We crossed Heen Ganga and followed the foot pathway towards Galamuduna. After crossing Heen Ganga have to walk about 100m towards left hand side along the bank to find the foot pathway. There is a hut at the beginning of the foot pathway. This is used for giving alms to the priest by villagers from Meemure.

Most of the time it is a continuous ascend from Dandenikumbura to Galamuduna. It takes about 2hours to reach Galamuduna. On your way you can visit at Kahatagahawela Falls. But we have missed it.

This is the hut you will come across on other side of Heen Ganga. Take the foot pathway shown by black arrow. Don’t go along the foot pathway shown by white arrow

It is usually a continuous ascend. Always take the foot pathways in right hand side

Reaching the second hut. This is used for giving alms to the priest by villagers from Galamuduna

Reaching Galamuduna village

“Kamatha”(කමත) at Galamuduna

Galamuduna

This is another traditional isolated village situated at Knuckles range. It is still only accessible by foot pathways from Sulugune (What we followed), Dandenikumbura (What we followed) and Uda Galdebokka (උඩගල්දෙබොක්ක). About 30families live here.

Pe Hami (පේ හාමි) is the oldest villager of this village and we met him. He is in his eighties now. Pe Hami mama is a good singer and he has lot of stories to tell.

After visiting there we left Galamuduna village and started to descend towards Sulugune.

Traditional house at Galamuduna

Modified tree house there

Pe Hami Mama is posing

Enjoying the time with Pe Hami Mama’s stories and poems

Foot pathway from Galamuduna to Sulugune is a continuous descend. It is parallel with the water stream till you come across Heen Ganga again. Therefore this foot pathway is scenic and has number of small waterfalls. After meeting the last house at this foot pathway (This is the last house of Sulugune) we crossed Heen Ganga again to enter paddy fields of Sulugune.

After passing Sulugune we could enter a mortable road to reach “Gini Petti” bridge (ගිනිපෙට්ටි පාලම) at Uduwelwala.

“Gini Petti” bridge is a nice engineering work. We had a bath at Heen Ganga and got the bus towards Hasalaka (හසලක).

Getting down from Galamuduna village

First significant waterfall we came across

Another beauty. It is about 15m tall

Another waterfall

Hurry to go home after four days

Important junction. Foot pathway becomes a road-black arrow. Continuation of foot pathway in white arrow

Entering Sulugune village

Last house at Sulugune. Take the foot pathway down to this to enter Heen Ganga

Crossing Heen Ganga back

She is calm and quite

Tree house at Sulugune

Mortable road starts from here

View of eastern border of Knuckles at Uduwelwala (උඩුවෙල්වෙල). Black arrow shows Yahangala (යහන්ගල) and red arrow shows Kehelpothdoruwegala

Gini Petti Bridge. Crossing Heen Ganga

Summary of four days journey – Red star shows the beginning at Pallegama town. Our route is approximately shown by black arrows. Pink star shows the end. (Click Map to Enlarge)

Few words about Nawarathna Mama and his accommodation.

We were provided a guide from Narangamuwa till Sulugune by Nawarathna Mama, actually his brother-Kapila Banda. But he is clueless about most of the places and we had to guide him. According to Nawarathna Mama, guide charges are Rs 1000 per day.

His accommodation at home was satisfactory but food was not up to the level he charged from us.

What we felt, now Meemure is commercialized well following visiting of tourists. Therefore villagers like Nawarathna is more business minded. He is more concerning about large group of visitors coming to camping site for BBQ.

I think Galamuduna, Rambukoluwa and Udagaldebokka villages are still more traditional than Meemure.

Thanks for reading.

I have noted two big isolated mountains closer to Galewela town during my routine travel from Polonnaruwa. Later I knew one of them as Menikdena. Map reading told it can be easily approached from A9 road. Then I got to know Menikdena archeology site and arboretum are also situated closer to Menikdena Mountain.

I suggested my plan to Anupama and he agreed with me to conquer it. We didn’t have a clear idea till we reach the archeology site. On the way to archeology site we inquired about climbing to Menikdena from a villager. He answered in positive manner and caretaker of archeology site gave directions.

Menikdena archeology site and Arboretum.

How to reach there?
When you come from Dambulla in A9 road you will come across Pannanpitiya junction. In right hand side you may notice the board mentioning archeology site. Then travel along Ethabandiwewa road. After few kilometers it branches into two and archeology board would be in left hand side. Then go along left hand side road till you find another road in left side towards archeology site. It is very easy to find the place and road condition is good.

Historical back ground

The historical site of Menikdena was known in several names in the past. It was known as Menikdena Pabbata (මැණික්දෙන පබ්බත) during the second half of the Anuradhapura period (555-573 AD), and the temple complex was known as Buddhagma (බුද්ධගාම) and Butgama during the reign of King Kitsiri Mevan (කිත්සිරි මෙවන්).

King Kitsiri Mevan is believed to be the founder of the historical monastery complex here. According to the historical evidences it had been used by the monks of Mahayana Buddhism. Menikdena temple had been one of the several places, where the tooth relic of Buddha was safe guarded in the past.

The historical temple was temporarily used as a camping site for the army of King Wijayabahu (විජයබාහු රජතුමා) (1055-1110 AD). It had been the residence for large number of monks and it was provided with state patronage by many successful rulers. Then the Royal elephant of King Wijayabahu I having been rested here. It also served the same purpose during the campaign of King Parakramabahu I (පළමු පරාක්ර මබාහු) against King Gajabahu II (දෙවනි ගජබාහු) (1132 – 1153 AD). A large camp site could be seen on top of Manikdena hill above the Atha Bandi Weva tank.

The last monk of Sri Lanka, who attained the Arahathood-Maliyadewa Thero (මලියදේව රහතන් වහන්සේ), lived here. When the monk passed away, the body was put into a specially decorated container with gemstones and buried. The present name “Menikdena” is directly attributed to this incident.

Menikdena has the typical five structures found in such monastic complex-Stupa/Chaithya, Bodhigaraya, Shrine house, chapter house and Dharma Shala.

Archaeological reserve covers an area of 2 hectares (5 acres) and the Arboretum covers about 14 hectares (35 acres) of forest land.

Menikdena has been declared as an Archaeological Reserve in 1957.

What we can see there

Site plan

Menikdena slab inscription

What it contains – Click Image to Enlarge

Dharma Shala (ධර්ම ශාලාව)

Image house. According to the historical information there had been about ten statutes in the image house. None of the ten statutes can be seen today and they have been destroyed during the last few centuries.

Chapter house-“Sannipatha Shalawa” (සන්නිපාත ශාලාව). The chapter house believed to be a large scale construction with four stories. Today about 40 granite stone pillars can be seen at the site. The chapter house is also completely destroyed and only several stone pillars are left from the original construction.

Bodhigaraya (බෝධිඝරය)

Guard stones of Bodhigaraya

Flowers alter of stupa

Arboretum – Click Image to Enlarge

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Nearby Menikdena Tank. The entrance to the monastery from Menikdena Tank side

Trinity college Historical and Geographical society has maintained this arboretum few years ago – Click Image to Enlarge

Menikdena Peak.

Menikdena isolated mountain is situated close to the archeology site. Our main target was that. We got directions from care taker of archeology site and walked along the small cemented canal which lies in front of the archeology site. On our way we noticed a foot pathway in right hand side of the canal and we changed our track on to it. This foot pathway brought us to one corner of the mountain where large flat rock could be seen. We started the hike along that. After about 500m forest was started. As this was typical dry zone forest it was not difficult to climb there. After about 30-45minutes journey we reached an area in the forest seemed like the peak. But it was completely covered with forest and we noticed a view point there. It showed the view of Kurunegala, Galewela and Dambulla.

Walking along the edge of canal. This canal provides water to Menikdena Tank

Menikdena Peak. Our plan was to climb along the edge of the mountain and reach the peak shown by the star. But actual peak can’t be seen here

We changed our track to foot pathway

Camp sites formed by Army trainees. Menikdena is frequently used by troops for their training

Typical dry forest

Somewhat clear foot pathway could be seen. Forces might use this one

Naturally made

Entering to a clear area

View from first view point. Belyakanda(බේලියකන්ද) is seen. (613m)

View from first view point

Etha Bandi Wewa and it’s peak (307m)

Dambulu Oya reservoir/ Ibbankatuwa tank (ඉබ්බන්කටුව ජලාශය). Dambulla peak is seen on the side

Dolukanda (black arrow) and Yakdessagala (red arrow)

We thought this as the peak. But again that assumption was wrong. Have to go more and more

Again we climbed up through the forest about 45minutes to reach a Mana patch. Then we creped along the Mana patch and it was the most difficult task of this hike. At the end of Mana patch we were able to reach second view point which was better than first one. At this view point we could watch Dambulu Oya reservoir/ Ibbankatuwa tank, Dambulla peak, Sigiriya, Pidurangala and Ritigala far away. Then Kandalama tank (කන්ඩලම වැව), Yakkurugala (යක්කුරුගල), Dickandahena (දික්කදහේන) and Erawalgala (ඈරවලගල) were seen. Gedaragalapathana (ගෙදරගලපතන) was rising in our right hand side and Lenadora was nearby. Though we thought this is the highest point of Menikdena, it was wrong again.

Mana-most difficult part

Good exercise to Anupama

View on our way up…..

Looked back…..

Etha Bandi Wewa zoomed

Dambulu Oya reservoir in black arrow. Ritigala in red arrow. Dambulla peak in yellow arrow

Circle shows Menikdena forest reserve and archeology site is situated there. Menikdena Tank is nearby. Black arrow shows the path we came

Gedaragalapathana peak (759m) is most distance one. Nearby peak is Lenadora. Actually it is the continuation of Manikdena

Black star indicates Kandalama Tank. Can you see Sigiriya and Pidurangala within the circle? Black arrow shows Yakkurugala and red arrow shows a part of Dickandahena and Erawalgala (695m)

Menikdena Mountain changes it’s direction after this and we climbed along it’s ridge. This part had a forest patch and bushes. It was bit difficult to walk there as forest cover was not that much tall. After about 45minutes journey we reached the highest point of Menikdena Mountain. At this point we could view southern area of the Mountain. It includes Maratuluwa (මරටුළුව) rock, Nalanda rock/ Arangala (අරoගල), Ambokka (අම්බොක්ක), Wilshire, Etipola (ඇටිපොල), Knuckles massif and Bowathenna (බෝවතැන්න) Tank.

We have spent nearly 3 hours to reach the peak and return journey got about two and half hours as we lost our way when we were coming down.

Walking along the ridge of the Mountain

Gedaragalapathana in full view

Reached the actual peak

Another peak was seen in right hand side. We didn’t reach there

Details of the view. Yellow arrow- Bowathenna Reservoir, Red star-Arangala/ Nalanda rock(782m), Red coma- Etipola and Wilshire, Black arrow- Ambokka peak, Black star- Maratuluwa (672m)

Arangala/Nalanda rock zoomed

Looked down

Coming back

We had a day…..

Black arrow shows the way from Dambulla and through Pannanpitiya junction. Black circle shows the archeological site. Red line shows approximate direction over the mountain. Then blue line shows our way back to Galewela from Naula. – (Click Map to Enlarge)

Different views of Menikdena

Photo taken on our way from Pannanpitiya to Manikdena archeology site. Other rock is Lenadora

Photo taken on our way back from Naula to Galewela

Photo taken close to Etha Bandi Wewa

Photo taken closer to Galewela

Lenadora Archeology Site.

Lenadora archeology site can be reached along the road which lies in front of Lenadora post office. Go along this road till you reach “Weda Gedara” (වෙද ගෙදර). Then take the foot pathway in front of “Weda Gedara”. (Better ask directions from them). After about 200-300m you will come across a perennial water spring, few stone pillars and ruins of a Stupa. But nothing much to watch there.

Stone pillars….

Some scattered ruins

Perennial water spring

Panchawasa Temples (පoචාවාස විහාර) of Sri Lanka.

Temples which contain five structures- Stupa/Chaithya, Bodhigaraya, Shrine house, Chapter house and Dharma Shala called Panchawasa Temples. According to literature they have found about 40 Panchawasa temples in Sri Lanka and 38 out of them are destroyed well. Menikdena temple and Henanigala temple are still well preserved at the moment.

I thought this is the ideal place to publish some photos I have taken about 2years ago in my visit to Henanigala Panchawasa Temple.

Henanigala Panchawasa Temple (හෙනානිගල පoචාවාස විහාරය)

This is situated at Nawamadagama (නවමැදගම). Nawamadagama is a small town comes across in Mahiyangana-Pollonnaruwa road. Therefore you can reach it either from Pollonnaruwa or Mahiyangana.

We got a three-wheeler from Nawamadagama town and came to Henanigala-North temple. (Don’t get confuse with Henanigala in Maduru-Oya forest reserve as these two are different places).

Great king Dutugamunu (දුටුගැමුණු රජතුමා) has camped here with his troops on the way to Anuradhapura from Magama. “Sena+Ani+Gala” සේනා+ ඇණි+ගල ->Henanigala.

I got information from here

New constructions

Pillar inscription

Wall	Pond and Cobra

Image house. To be preserved

Chapter house/Sannipatha Shalawa

Bodhigaraya

Apart from main Stupa, it has another stupa

Flower altar at stupa

“Korawak Gala” කොරවක් ගල

Might be Darma Shalawa

Henanigala Lake

Thanks for reading

I was able to visit at following places at Welimada in two days.

1. Bomburu Ella and climbing to top of Bomburu Falls.
2. Ravan Falls
3. Sthreepura cave expedition.
4. Mana Falls
5. Ganethanna RMV
6. Ulugala RMV
7. Keppetipola fort
8. Diwrumpola Temple

Famous Bogoda wooden Bridge (බෝගොඩ ලී පාලම) and Boralanda government farm (බොරලන්ද ගොවිපල) are also closer to Welimada. I couldn’t go there.

Summary of places and directions around Weli

Bomburu Falls (බෝඹුරු ඇල්ල)

Direction: Welimada (වැලිමඩ) ->Ambagasdowa (අඹගස්දෝව) ->Bomburu Ella village->Bomburu Ella

When we reached Bomburu Ella village, we were able to find the easiest foot pathway shown by the board. We had to walk about 2km to reach the waterfall but it was scenic.
Duulgolla Oya (දූල්ගොල්ල ඔය) (Named as Fort Macdonald River in colonial age) which is the main branch of Uma oya (උමා ඔය) makes Bomburu Falls. There is a main fall and a lot of accessory falls above (upper) and below (lower) the main falls. Bomburu Falls is considered as the widest water fall of Sri Lanka. It is height is 50m.

Direction. This is the easiest pathway. There is another road.

On the way to Bomburu Falls. A lot of Beans plots were seen.

Most of the time foot pathway lies parallel to the water canal

Lower Bomburu cascades

Lower Bomburu cascades

Lower Bomburu cascades

Lower Bomburu cascades

Lower Bomburu cascades

Diversion of water

First glimpse of main Bomburu Falls

Bomburu Falls

One part of the fall

Lateral view

Side view

Nice camp site which is situated in front of the fall

Base of the water fall

After enjoying with Bomburu Falls we decided to reach the top of the waterfall. I have noticed a pool and another cascade above main waterfall when I was searching in Google earth. Our aim was to visit there. But this hike was strenuous and difficult. Because there was no a proper foot pathway. Then acute steepness of this climb. In middle part of this climb we had to tackle thorny bushes. Once we reached the top it was a Pines area. But we couldn’t reach the point where it falls.
We were able to reach the top of upper Bomburu cascade which I noticed in Google earth.

We started the journey in left hand side of the fall. Following the forest patch we came across this evidence of old tea estate there. Climbing after this was extremely difficult.

Welimada plateau is seen below

Note acute steepness

Point where Bomburu Falls starts

Reaching Pines area

Surrounding view once we reach the top

Upper Bomburu cascade

Another small waterfall above upper Bomburu Fall

On top of Upper Bomburu Falls

This was seen as a pool in Google earth

Ravan Falls (රවන් ඇල්ල)

Welimada->Ambagasdowa->Bomburu Ella road 2nd mile post->Ravan Falls

This 40m height waterfall is situated in Uduhawara (උඩුහාවර) village. You have to get right hand side road at 2nd mile post. Then travel along that road about 1.5km to reach the waterfall. It was very easy to find this waterfall.

White arrow shows the directions to waterfall at 2nd mile post

Initial part of concrete road then becomes a gravel road and then a foot pathway. Can drive up to certain extent of this road

Cultivation…..

First glimpse of this tall and slim beauty

Rawan falls.

Ravan Falls

How difficult their life….

Middle part of Ravan Falls. It flows to Uma Oya

Sthreepura (ස්ත්රීiපුර) cave expedition

Sthreepura/Esterepure (Survey map has spelled it like this) has an underground lime cave. It can be approached from Welimada by two ways.

Early morning we caught the Lucky land bus (Destination called Lucky land) at 7.10am from main bus stand at Welimada. We got down at junction where Kirawanagama (කිරවානගම) road starts. It is a continuous ascend from here and road condition was initially good and later it was bad. Kirawanagama can be directly approached from Welimada.
After inquiring from villagers we found cave entrance which was in middle of a Pines patch. It is bit difficult to find the place as direction/board was not there.

Initial part of the road is good. Walk till concrete road is over. After few meters again concrete road will start. Again walk over there

Now it is a gravel road and climb up shown by the arrow. There were few houses on our way. We clarified the pathway

Now road condition is terrible. Go down as shown by the arrow, then you will meet a small water stream over the road. Once you cross it, take the ascending foot pathway in your left hand side

Crossing the water stream and select the foot pathway shown by the arrow. Then climb up. Foot pathway goes through Turpentine and Pines trees

Foot pathway

Tall friend

Walk along this foot pathway about 500m-750m. You will notice few houses in your right hand side. Black arrow shows the direction of foot pathway. Few meters away from this foot pathway you can notice an area of clearance to build something-blue star. Then about 10-15m upwards from it is the cave entrance-yellow arrow. Actually bit difficult to find this spot unless you carefully walk over there.

Cave entrance. There is a concrete boundary few meters above the entrance to divert rain water away from the entrance

Before I come to Welimada, I inquired about this cave from few people in Welimada. They said now we can’t walk inside the cave as pathway is blocked by soil and sand. All of them have visited there few years ago. But I wanted to go there and see at least the cave entrance.

When I got into the cave I realized my pre-information is wrong.

First you have to go down about 3-4m through the entrance to land on cave ground. There were two logs to use that. Once you enter the cave it branches into right and left sides. First we walked along right side pathway. It was bit narrow and only one person can walk at once and you have to bend down a bit. After about 50m we found it is blocked by soil and stones. Then we turned back and followed the right hand side one.

Compared to left branch, right branch is tall and wide; even 3-4 people can walk there together without bending. It became wider and wider but descended. We went down there about 100m and turned back as we two only in this expedition, we were bit scared to move further. (Later I discussed with a nearby villager and found we can walk there about 3km or even further.)
Sthreepura cave has fairly dry walls, roof and floor compared to my previous cave expeditions in Ekiriya (ඇකිරිය) and Wavulpane (වවුල්පනේ). We noticed hundreds of cockroaches there and frogs were eating them. Only few bats we met along the part we walked .I think it has only few bats as floor of the cave is free of bat droppings. It made easy to walk there. Another plus point is no inside water streams.

We didn’t feel any breathing difficulty along the area we walked. I have decided to go there back with more man power and good preparing to walk the full length.

Cave entrance with helping logs

Cave entrance

How it appears when you get down there. This is the only light source for the cave

Walking in total darkness. This is the left branch

Narrow left branch. Note clear walls, roof and floor of the underground cave

Getting a bend

Sometimes roots of trees can be seen in the cave wall. It mean it is not that much underground

Last bit of left branch. Can’t move further.

It is just enough him to sit. Can’t stand up

Right branch of the cave

Solid roof of the cave

Going down along right branch

Some more

We turned back from here as we were scared to move forward.

Coming out

I am at cave entrance

Manawela Falls (මානාවෙල ඇල්ල)

Manawela falls can be reached along Lunuwaththa (ලූණුවත්ත) road from Welimada. After you pass Lunuwaththa town you will come across a Kovil/tea leaf collection center in your left hand side. Go along the road in front this Kovil. After about 500m, small tank would be appeared in right hand side. Upper part of the waterfall can be seen following that and it can be reached by the foot pathway. Seven basins can be seen there.

Manawela falls is a twin fall with 22m height. Base of the waterfall can be reached along a different foot pathway. It didn’t have much water in our visit.

Historical information of this waterfall goes till King Manabarana (මානාබරණ) period. (A.D 636-731). He has spent leisure time with his wives bathing at seven basins.

Kovil/tea leaf collection center and road to Manawela Falls

One of seven basins

Water from one basin to the other goes through a small gutter

Seat of the king

Rock basins and dam

Crown Mark

Another mark

Manawela Falls. Note one fall is completely dry

Side view of Manawela falls

“KIDS”. These two helped us to reach the base of the waterfall and to find the crown mark

Divurumpola Temple (දිව්රුම්පොල පන්සල)

Diwrumpola temple is situated about 3km away from Welimada town towards Nuweraeliya at Nugathalawa (නුගතලාව).
Divurumpola means a “place of oath.” This is the place where Sita underwent the “Agni” test to show her purity.
Nowadays you can see only few ancient pillars at this temple premises other than new constructions. But it is a popular attraction between tourists especially who admire Rama-Rawana story.

Directions….

Where she has shown her purity….

Rest of the temple

Image house

Stone pillars….

Keppetipola Fortress (කැප්පෙටිපොල බලකොටුව)

Keppetipola town is situated 6km away from Welimada town towards Nuweraeliya. Keppetipola fortress is situated close to the post office.

The name Keppetipola is used since 1968 to commemorate Monarawila Keppetipola Disawe (මොණරවිල කැප්පෙටිපොල දිසාවේ) who was the leader of 1818 rebellion against British. This area was called as Palugama (පාලුගම) earlier. Initial name was Wilson plane/ “Wilson Thenna” (විල්සන් තැන්න).

Keppetipola Fortress was built by Dutch and British army used it in 1818 rebellion. Later it was used as a horse house.
Nowadays you can see only the outer wall of the fort. This wall is higher than walls of other fortress built in same period. Inside building is used as a weaving school. (Later constructions.)

Keppetipola Fort-Front view

Side view of the wall

Ganethanna RMV (ගනේතැන්න රජමහා විහාරය)

This ancient temple belongs to Anuradhapura period and made by King Walagamba. At the moment you can see evidences of Kandyan era only.

You have to turn at Ganethanna junction at Welimada-Lunuwaththa road and travel another 1km to reach the temple. As temple premises have been extended over large area stone pillars can be seen even outside of the temple.

Entrance of the temple. Note-stone pillars are outside of the temple

Recent constructions

.	Paintings of Kandyan era

Some more ruins

Ulugala Temple (උල්ගල විහාරය)

Ulgala temple is situated about 8kms away from Welimada at Welimada-Kotaweheragala (කොටවෙහෙරගල) road. This temple also belongs to King Walagamba period.

.	Entrance to the temple

Thick wooden door frame at “Awasa Geya” (ආවාස ගෙය)

“Gala Uda Seya” (ගල උඩ සෑය) and “Gala Yata Wiharaya” (ගල යට වෙහෙර). There is another wooden door frame at shrine house. Unfortunately they have lost the key of this shrine house.

Bo tree

Medicinal stone

Thanks for reading.

When I was working Hiniduma around 50km from Galle I went to see Nugagala Arannaya. You can use your vehicle but you have to climb a hill by foot to go Nugagala Arannaya.

There lives a Hamuduruwo who has done amazing rock works. Believe it or not all this amazing works are done by this Hamuduruwo with his own hands.

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No…..No…..this is not Anuradhapuraya or Polonnaruwa…..just Nugagala Arannaya

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Finally this is the Magician Hamuduruwo who has done all these amazing works

According to Hamuduruwo, he has himself learned all these things. And he is suffering with bronchial asthma most probably due to stone dust.

At last if you are willing to visit this place please remember it is an Arannaya.

P.S :- There is another amazing water fall not much far from Hiniduma…it is Doowili Alla. You have to go Neluwa which is about 15km away from Hiniduma. Then you need to go another 8 or 10km to reach Doowili Alla. Of course you can use your car.

.	Doowili Alla is another beautiful water in Sinharaja forest. You can reach top of it….bottom of it…touch it and even bath in it.

Water comes to you like doowili. And it is an experience which can not be explained with words.

This is the place where you can safely bath. (Sorry I have erased part of the picture for ethical reasons)

Thanks for reading and enjoy these places when you visit southern part of the country.

“Good morning and very sorry for the delay” I got in to the jeep apologizing Yohan and NG, whom I kept waiting for me for more than 20 minutes. It was a little bit of unusual setup for a journey for me; a journey in the middle of the week – yes, a working day -, strangely decided to wait for the early morning bus – which for my disappointment wasn’t there – and late! – no, I’m not late all the time. My work schedule which usually does not allow me to roam around during weekdays, surprisingly gave me a break. Anyway it was –as I told to our team later- was a journey that I would not have wanted to miss at any cost. It was a chance that did not want to miss. All in all, perfect, everything happened in favor of me, I joined the convoy to take part in an unforgettable expedition.

The third one of our team was picked on the way and we headed towards Monaragala, met Ashan who had concluded his day’s duty. After the lunch we proceeded without Ashan who promised to catch us on the following day to join our main expedition. We reached Kotiyagala in the afternoon and met the guide who was prepared to take us to Mailla – our first day’s plan.

“Six miles into the thick jungle to the right from the Kotiyagala Colony, a cave temple with a reclining Buddha image and paintings is found. The reclining Buddha had been constructed in brick and clay mortar and plastered with lime.

Parts of the reclining Buddha statue had been destroyed by treasure hunters. The cave roof is decorated with attractive paintings and over the head of the Buddha image on a red backfall, the floral motifs and the figures of tuskers are painted. The paintings of this temple comprise those of various floral motifs, figures similar to the damsels of Sigiriya, various forms of humans and animals.”

Source – www.archaeology.gov.lk

The road the Mailla – if one can call that a road – was along the chena cultivations. Thanks to Yohan’s jeep it wasn’t too difficult for us to reach Mailla hill after tackling some kilometers along what was hardly a road.

scenery on the way to Mailla

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Mailla hill among the chena cultivations

life – different stages

We stopped the vehicle at the foothill where a monastery was, with a monk living alone. We met the monk who wasn’t very welcoming and gave all our details and explained our purpose. The monk’s vigilance is great in one way though it was a bit irritating to us. He even had went on for trying out our mobile numbers we gave him and once he found one of us had written down only 9 digits – obviously by a mistake – had called 119. But considering the number of treasure hunting activities happening in the area we cannot blame him for doing that.  Luckily we had informed the local police station about our visit and had given our details, so the police just verified if we were the same group.

The cave where the paintings were just a few meters away from the hermitage.  A drip ledged cave almost opened to the air – not a very protective place was where the frescoes were. It was a large reclining statue of the Lord Buddha what we saw as soon as we came out of the small jungle patch, vandalized by the treasure hunters – smashed, dug, wounded and then repaired using clay probably by the archaeologists. All the grass and plants on the rock surface were dried due to the many months long drought prevailed in the area. The Buddha statue blended with the dry surroundings was nice scenery though.

The cave – first sight

Dired up

The statue

The famous frescoes were on the ceiling of the cave above the Buddha statue. There were a hundreds of paintings on that medium sized cave ceiling. It was clearly seen that there had been many layers of painting on top of each other hinting that the paintings have been redone several times over the years.

.	Cieling decor

Another decoration

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Probably a peacock

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Some of these paintings are said to be very old. As it seemed all of those were pre-Kandyan era paintings. Some of those said to be closely related to the world famous Sigiriya frescoes. There was one clear painting which very closely resembled a “Sigiri Apsara”.

Very similar to Sigiri Apsaras

and these flowers

these too

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There were four beautiful figures of elephants and tusker paintings. Three out of those four were very clear and a part of the fourth one is damaged. The damaged elephant figure is different and special than the others. An elephant inside a circle surrounded by some hundreds of circular figures, all within one large rectangle was that painting. This painting is believed to resemble the Queen Mahamaya’s dream. The large rectangle is explained as the Anotattha Vila and the circles are as lotuses.

Two tuskers in one place

The third one

and teh fourth one

White elephant cub flying over the Anotattha Vila

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These paintings and the cave have taken a lot of battering over the centuries. At some places the entire plaster is gone. Most places had many damages on the plaster and the paintings.

Plaster is damaged

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Hardly remaining

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On the other side of the cave there were some ruined rooms made out of bricks. On the plaster of those walls too were the paintings – mostly damaged – only a little remaining. Compared to the paintings on the cave’s ceiling, these paintings were large. But only a few places here and there could be seen.

Some clear parts of the remaining paintings on the wall

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.	Almost destroyed

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The Kuti

There were a couple of Weddah paintings on another cave too

The mahout riding the elephant

Probably a triplet

Again the mahout and the elephant

Mailla / Mayilla cave is known as one of the best places to study ancient Sri Lankan paintings. But it didn’t look like taken care of very well. Not by at least the ones who study this place. The place has had a several attacks by the treasure hunters. Natural forces are slowly erasing the unprotected paintings. It is obvious if the authorities do not act fast, these magnificent frescoes will be lost forever. Soon it will only be a historical place in study materials.

View from top of the cave

Vandalized

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On the way back

Here’s a small video clip made out of the footages taken during our visit

Thank you for reading.

It is open for debate what you call this area and I read an interesting discussion on this Forum too. But I simply think that its “Deenston” in Knuckles – South; its “Riverston” in Knuckles – North.

We haven’t been to this heavenly area for a long time and one visit long ago was on our way to Wasgamuwa and the other was a day trip when the kids were very young. Since we had only one night to spare, this was the best destination to end the school vacation in style and to recharge our batteries before going in for the third school term.

Trip Highlights:

• Ridi Viharaya
• Bambarakiri Ella
• Riverston Tower
• Pitawal Pathana
• Mini Worlds End
• Thelgamu Oya
• Sera Ella

We left home around 3.30am; took the Expressway up to Katunayake and proceed along Divulapitiya, Narammala to Kurunegala in the dark and at Ibbagamuwa turned right taking the road to Matale. There was some road construction going on but since it was very early in the day we were not much affected. We decided to take a de-tour to the Ridi Viharaya as we were ahead of our schedule. It was just 4kms away and we were the first to visit the temple that day at 6am!

Ridi Viharaya is a cave temple belonging to the Pollonnaru Period and the shrine room is adorned with beautiful murals – some of it pealing off. But the ancient temple is very well maintained and even at that early hour there was a young monk at the entrance to the main shrine room and asked us not to take photographs inside, to which we obliged.

Shrine Room

“Varaka Valnadu Viharaya”

This is a unique structure – more like a Hindu Kovil – and it is only about 6ft in height. There is a small image house inside and the walls are adorned by ancient murals.

History – Click Image to Enlarge

Ancient murals and shrine room inside “Varaka Valandu Viharaya”

Ancient murals and shrine room inside “Varaka Valandu Viharaya”

“At Varaka Valandu Viharaya”

Having spent nearly 45minutes at Ridi Viharaya (including time spent on b’fast) we proceeded towards Matale and joined A9 at Palapathwela and again turned left at Mandanwala towards Rattota, Riverston. We passed the famous Alu Viharaya before the turn-off towards Rattota but did not stop as we have already worshipped one ancient temple.

Our next attraction was “Bambarakiri Ella” just 4kms from Rattota town. The turn-off is easy to spot as it at a sharp bend and there is a name board too. It is an easy walk of just 100ms from there to the waterfall/s.

The turn-off to Bambarakiri Ella

Clear signs of drought!

Poor-looking Maha Bambarakiri Ella

Scary-looking suspension bridge

The waterfall looked very poor and we did not attempt to cross the scary-looking suspension bridge to see “Kuda Bamabarakiri” on the other side assuming that she too would not have anything much to offer.  Only my son wanted the challenge and crossed the bridge. What we heard from a villager is that the December, 2012 floods in Matale washed off the bridge leaving only the supporting cables!

The suspension bridge

Scenery on the way

After a very scenic drive of over 20kms we reached the turn-off to the Riverston VHF Tower around 10am. It was so windy that we found it difficult even to get off from our vehicles. It was gloomy and the rain clouds were gathering but we decided to take up the 2km hike to the tower.

WINDY!i

We thoroughly enjoyed the walk up to the tower in the gloomy weather. It resembled the drive up to Piduruthalagala. The vegetation and the climate were the same. The only difference was this time we were walking towards the peak instead of driving. One minute the tower was visible and the next minute it was not. We have never experienced what we faced at the “windy bend”. The little ones were virtually blown away and we had to hold them tight to keep them on the ground. It was a novel experience that we all enjoyed.

Windy Bend

Misty

The giant is visible at last

End of road – entrance to tower

It is only 4km from the Tower to our resting place – “Green Nest Holiday Bungalow”. You have to turn left just before the 31st km post and as you turn the bungalow is visible hidden behind some trees. It is a cosy place consisting of two units, each comprising two bedrooms with attached bathrooms and a sitting/dining area. There is a separate outdoor sitting area for each floor too. The kitchen/store/ quarters are away from the main building. There is a large garden and best feature is the breathtaking view of 360.

Green Nest is hidden behind the green

View from the bungalow

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Having unloaded our stuff and given instructions to the cook to prepare our lunch, we left  for a river bath at Thelgamuoya just 5km away. There wasn’t much water near the bridge so we walked upstream towards Forest Department Site and had a refreshing dip in the cool water. Kids had a lovely time in the shallow pools and we were too busy enjoying the river bath that none of us thought of taking some pics. So not a single  pic of Thelgamuoya!

We returned to the bungalow as hungry as wolves. Meals are served in the indoor dining area but we insisted on having an outdoor lunch to enjoy the breathtaking view. They arranged lunch in the “pilla” like area facing the mountains.

Outdoor lunch

Outdoor lunch

After a filling meal it was time for an afternoon nap as we all woke up at 3am that morning. While we were taking a nap we heard the kids playing and running around the garden enjoying the freedom. We got up at 5, had a warm cup of coffee and headed towards the pathana which is just 1km away. Having bought the tickets – Rs.28 each – we walked towards the Mini-Words End and we were instructed not to stay long as they do not allow visitors after 5.30pm. The dried up pathana looked deserted and we walked in the fading sun along the marked footpath to the Mini-Word’s End.

The dried out pathana

Mini-worlds’ End

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The Drop

The Drop

It was getting dark when we returned to the tickets counter and there we met Mr.Lokubanda, a forest officer and a native of the Pitavala village. He was getting ready for his night shift at the office. He told us about the “Red Bana Project”, the creation and the abandon of “Pathanagama” village and stories related to long ago cardamom cultivation in the area. It was interesting listening to his stories and finally we returned to the Bungalow around 7pm.

Pathana at dusk

The Bungalow is powered by a generator and there are a few solar panels too – but they are not very effective. Another party had arrived in our absence and they occupied downstairs while we were upstairs. The cook had prepared our dinner early so there was no “clash of interests” although two parties were there.

Earlier we were told that elephants roam the valley during this season. They had spotted them even the other day too – early morning and late evening. “Green Nest” FB page has many photos of elephants and I presumed them to be Wasgamu jumbos. But latter I realized the photos have been taken from the bungalow balcony. So we were busy flashing our torch lights into the night to spot even one of them, but luck was not in our way, all we saw was some wild rabbits!

We had an early dinner and went to bed as we were very tired after a long day. The generator power is switched off by 10pm and there is very dim solar power thereafter. It rained in the night and the wind was most disturbing. It roared like the “windy bend” and I was glad the bungalow was a concrete structure – it had a slab on top – no roofing material used.

First sun rays – from the balcony

Outdoor sitting area after the overnight rain

We had a filling breakfast of kiribath and left the bungalow around 8am. Our destination was Sera Ella about 16km away. It was a fascinating ride enjoying the cool breeze and the changing landscape. We passed the pathana gleaming in the morning sunlight and drove towards Illukkumbura.

Morning scenery

After about 4km we reached this junction at Illukkumbura and turned left taking the road to Sera Ella via Puwakpitiya. The right turn takes you Wasgamuwa 40km away passing Thelgamuoya at 1.5kms. The board says its 9.5km to Sera Ella but we dared what the road condition would be

The junction giving clear directions

The road was carpeted for the first 3kms and gradually it became a tarred road, washed away at times; concreted at times; gravel at times – but was never impossible by an ordinary car. Sometimes seeing an eroded section we feared worse but soon the condition improved and we were back on a tarred road in no time.  There were a few houses at the beginning but thereafter we were travelling in the middle of a thick forest. There were fresh elephant dung along the road and many “humbus” on either side.  After driving for about 7km we reached this junction where the road divides to Puwakpitiya and Poththotawela. The concreted road going down takes one to Puwakpitiya and the tarred road going uphill takes one to Pothtotawela passing Sera Ella. We took the road towards Pothtotawela.

The last junction

The area had not seen rain for months and we passed many abandoned paddy fields and the water ways were too running dry. There were bare lamp posts along the road with no wires running between them. An old villager to whom we gave a lift said they have been erected about three years ago but the poor villagers are yet to see electricity!

Arid landscape

Dried up waterways

Finally after a hard drive of over one hour we reached the turn-off to Sera Ella. There is no sign board nor a house nearby to ask directions. The only land mark is the footpath going downhill with the supporting bar shown in the picture.

Turnoff to Sera Ella

The nearly 300m path leading to the fall is paved and shady and one can enjoy the walk. There are steps all the way and at the end the path divides – one leading to the cave and the other leading to the observation deck.

The Shady path

The Shady path

The path was not difficult as the supporting bar was there all the way. The latter part of the path ran along a drip cave and passing it the path divided – the left leading to the observation deck and the right to the unique feature of this waterfall – the cave behind the fall.  This was the main reason we chose to visit Sera Ella though it is almost 18kms away from Riverston. We could have easily visited Raththinda Ella and Wadda Pani Ella at Pitawala just a few kms away, but we wanted to see Sera Ella to experience the unique cave. We have seen many pictures and watched a number of videos of her in full flow and were thoroughly disappointed with what we saw.

This is all she had to offer…

Steps leading to the cave

Steps going down to the deck

The cave without water curtain

Although Sera Ella had been reduced to a thin trickle, we enjoyed the surroundings a lot.  Kids walked up to the cave though there was no water curtain as expected. We walked downstream observing the rock patterns made by gushing waters throughout centuries. What a sight it would be during the rainy season!

Water trickling down the rocks

We came prepared for a river bath but sadly there was not enough water and we did not want to take a risk as the place was deserted. So after spending almost one hour enjoying the surroundings, we climbed up promising ourselves to come and see her when she is in full flow.

After a tiring journey we needed a river bath to freshen ourselves. So we came back to Illukkumbura and headed towards Thelgamuoya – where we had a safe bath the other day. The place was crowded but walking upstream we found a nice spot to enjoy ourselves.

We came back to the Bungalow around 2pm, had our lunch and left for Colombo around 3pm. We bid good-bye to Riverston enjoying the breathtaking scenery once again and promising ourselves to be back after the rainy season.

Thanks for Reading

Dumbara valley is rich in ancient places and surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests-Knuckles and Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe sanctuary. This beauty was disturbed to some extent four decades ago after building great reservoirs.
Our target of this trip was to visit at important places when we travel from Kandy to Mahiyangana via A26 and coming back along Mahaweli Raja Mawatha (මහවැලි රජ මාවත).
We selected a motor bike as our transport mode. We sent the bike from Pettah to Kandy by train and collected it from Kandy. We were able to visit at following places in our visit for two days.

Day 01

1. Lewalle Gangarama RMV (ලේවැල්ලේ ගoගාරාම විහාරය)
2. Degaldoruwa RMV (දෙගල්දොරුව විහාරය)
3. Galmaduwa Temple (ගල්මඩුව විහාරය)
4. Kundasale (කුණ්ඩසාලේ) archeology site.
5. Bambaragala (බඹරගල) temple and climbing to Bambaragala-view point
6. Victoria dam
7. Bombure monument (බෝමුරේ ස්මාරකය)

Day 02

1. Godamunne (ගොඩමුණ්නේ) ancient Buddha statue
2. Wewathanna (වැවතැන්න) view point.
3. Kewulgama (කෙවුල්ගම) Gal Len Temple
4. Kowilmada-? (කොවිල්මඩ) Center of Sri Lanka
5. Pallepitawala (පල්ලේපිටවල) Ambalama
6. Gurulupotha (ගුරුලුපොත) archeology site
7. Rantambe Dam and reservoir
8. Randenigala Dam and reservoir
9. Keerthi Bandarapura (කීර්ති බණ්ඩාරපුර) ancient dewalaya.

Starting point is shown by yellow star at Kandy. Yellow arrows show the route we went. Approximate places of visited sites are shown by numbers.

Lewalle Gangarama RMV

We turned from Boowelikada (බූ වැලිකඩ) junction to Lewella and visited at this ancient temple. It has a standing Buddha statue, image house with old paintings, Magul Maduwa (මගුල් මඩුව) and stone inscription to see.

This temple was built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha කීර්ති ශ්‍රී රාජසිoහ රජතුමා (1747 – 1781). The temple is named “Gangarama” due to its location near the great Mahaweli River in Lewella. Gangarama was earlier associated with the educational activities of Welivita Sri Saranankara Thero (වැලිවිට සරණoකර හිමි).

Image house of Gangarama RMV. Standing Buddha statue of 27feet height is inside this. No photographs allowed inside

Entrance of Image house

Moonstone of Kandyan Era

Magul Maduwa

Stone inscription tells the story of temple

Then we continued along the same road and got direction to Degaldoruwa RMV. (Clarify the way from villagers).

Degaldoruwa RMV

Degaldoruwa RMV has an image house with old paintings and seven Buddha statues. Ancient chapter house is under renovation. Ancient Paththini Dewalaya (පත්තිනි දේවාලය) is situated few meters away from main temple.

Degaldoruwa RMV was built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747-1780) and later completed by his brother King Rajadhi Rajasingha (රාජාධි රාජසිoහ රජතුමා) after king’s death. After the work has been finished temple was handed over to his teacher Moratota Hamuduruwo (මොරතොට හාමුදුරුවෝ). Four painters participated in painting this image house. Out of them called Dewaragampola Silvatannee Unnanse (දෙවරගම්පොල සිලවතැන්නේ උන්නාන්සේ) was the famous. Four Jathaka stories and events of Buddha’s life were painted as continuous story at image house.

Degaldoruwa image house

Makara Thorana (මකර තොරණ)

Moonstone-again shows Kandyan tradition

Story of Degaldoruwa – Click Image to Enlarge

Ancient door

Degaldoruwa paintings.

Buddha statue at Degaldoruwa

Chapter house (පොහොය ගෙය) under renovation

Sacred foot print

Before Buddha Puja

Story of Dewalaya is interesting. Before king built the temple Dewalaya was situated on top of temple rock. As it is not good to have a Dewalaya above the temple, King wanted to shift it somewhere else. He has thrown his ring from top of the rock and decided to build the Dewalaya where ring has been found. So this is the place.

Then we made our way to Galmaduwa temple which is situated nearby.

Galmaduwa Temple.

This is one of the beautiful archeology buildings I have visited. It is in good condition after preservation.

Galmaduwa temple was also built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha. While on building he was heard of finding of Degaldoruwa cave and it shifted his attention to build that temple. As a result this temple kept unfinished state. Influence of Hindu architecture on temple is seen here.

Galmaduwa Temple

There is a central building surrounded by outer wall made by brick and stone

Central building structure

Door of the temple

We continued our way forward and joined with A26 road at Kundasale town. When we were passing the town noticed a board to Kundasale archeology site in left hand side.

Kundasale archeology site

Nowadays only archeology land is there. It is considered as the place of Kundasale palace. We travelled about 1km from main road to reach there.

Information about the place – Click Image to Enlarge

Only archeological evidence at site

Then we travelled up to Digana town and got right turn to Bambaragala ancient temple which is situated 6km from Digana (දිගන) town.

Bambaragala temple and Bambaragala Rock (681m)

Bambaragala temple is situated at the base of Bambaragala and there are scattered caves (about 60) in this area. There is a foot pathway to top of Bambaragala, where you can have a nice view towards Victoria reservoir. It takes about 45minutes to reach the peak. But we were not able to visit at Indrasala (ඉන්ද්‍රසාල ගුහාව) cave.

Bambaragala temple was built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha period and surrounding land was gifted to temple by the king. Indrasala cave is an important place where pre historic letters can be seen.

Historical information – Click Image to Enlarge

Towards the temple

Brahami inscription above image house

Paintings of Kandyan era and four Buddha statues within image house

Small pagoda

Directions to other places

One of the caves we met where paintings on it’s ceiling

Paintings

Reaching top of Bambaragala Rock

Bambaragala Peak

View of Victoria reservoir

Part of Victoria dam is seen to Bambaragala Top

After visiting at Bambaragala temple we came back to Diagana town and had our late lunch. Then proceeded up to Moragahamula (මොරගහමුල) junction where we got right turn to reach Victoria dam observation point.

Victoria Reservoir and dam.

There is 8km from Moragahamula junction to Victoria dam observation point. This road goes inside Vitoria-Randenigala-Rantambe sanctuary (VRR) and along the bank of reservoir.

Victoria reservoir was built under Mahaweli project and has catchment area of 1869km2. It’s tunnel is 5.4km long with it’s production capacity of electricity is 210MW. It was built with financial aid of United Kingdom.

Victoria dam is an arch dam which has eight spillways and the tallest dam (122m) in Sri Lanka. Dam gates need power only to close them.

At the edge of Victoria reservoir

Victoria Dam, reservoir and eight spillways.

Eight spillways

Construction information – Click Image to Enlarge

Our next place of visit was Bombure monument where last king of Sri Lanka-Sri Wickrama Rajasingha (ශ්‍රී වික්‍රම රාජසිoහ රජතුමා) was captured by British.

We passed Moragahamula junction and further drove towards Hunnasgiriya (හුන්නස්ගිරිය). At Bombure with a bend there was a gravel road in right hand side. Soon after this road divides into two. Right one is to Bombure Monument and left one is to another good view point called Wewathanna.

Bombure Monument

To reach Bombure monument, you have to go down along the road till road finishes. Then take right hand side foot pathways down along the edge of paddy fields. This foot pathway divides into two and left branch will bring you to Bombure monument.

King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, his two wives and mother were captured by British troops here at 18th February 1815. This stone pillar was established by British government in 1900. The Siyambala tree (සියඹලා ගහ) found near this was there even they capture the king.

Bombure Monument

What it says

Rainbow over Bombure….

We came back to Theldeniya town to get our accommodation at Theldeniya Guest House. Theldeniya Guest House is situated at bank of Victoria reservoir opposite to Bambaragala. Piduruthalagala range was viewed far away and in a clear day towers on Piduruthalagala can be seen. It is a nice place to stay.

Early morning view of Victoria reservoir from Theldeniya Guest House

Bambaragala and temple at it’s base

Theldeniya Guest House

Day 02

As we had to cover a large area in this day, we started the journey early morning. First place of visit was Godamunne Samadhi Buddha statue.

Godamunne Samadhi Buddha Statue

Soon you pass Theldeniya town Rangala (රoගල) road will come across in left hand side. Godamunne can be reached along that road.

Godamunne Samadhi Buddha Statue. Belongs to Kandyan era.

Wewathanna View point (1215m)

Wewathanna view point can be reached along the same road to Bombure. Soon you get into by road from main road, it will branch into two. Drive up in left hand side pathway. The road condition is terrible after Rajagala (රජගල) line houses and only can be approached by four wheel or bike. We took about 1hour to reach there by bike.

Wewathanna is a good view point of Dumbara valley. Victoria reservoir, Mahaweli River and Piduruthalagala can be viewed from here. There is a lake situated closer to view point. As water source is also there this might be a good camping site.

Junction. Red arrow to Wewathanna. Black arrow to Bombure

Take the road closer to Kovil at Rajagalawatta

Take the road towards Wewathanna line houses

On the way

Wewathanna Lake

Closer to Lake

Peak of Medamahanuwara Kanda (මැද මහනුවර කන්ද)/Rajagala Kandaරජගල කන්ද (1339m)

Wewathanna. Nice place for camping

Surrounding view from Wewathanna

Surrounding view from Wewathanna

Kodibandihena (කොඩිබැදිහේන). Might be another good view point

Wewathanna Line houses

Restarting of Mahaweli River

Victoria Reservoir

Rest for the bike

We had our late breakfast from Hunnasgiriya (හුන්නස්ගිරිය). Next place for visit was Kewulegama Gal Len Temple.

Hunnasgiriya is the highest point of A26 road. Only mortable road to Meemure (මීමුරේ) via Deenstone (ඩීන්ස්ට්න්) also starts from Hunnasgiriya.

Medamahanuwara Mountain.

Medamahanuwara Mountain in left. Nawenagala (නෑවෙනගල) in right

Kewulgama Gal Len Temple

Take right hand side road from Hunnasgiriya town to reach Kewulgama. You will come across a junction with a transformer. Take left hand side road. Before the temple an Ambalama (අම්බලම) would be seen.

During Kirthi Sri Rajasingha period Kandy kingdom was invaded by Dutch. Then king has left to Hanguranketha and sacred tooth was brought to Kewulgama Gal Len Temple.

Kewulgama Ambalama

Wood carvings at Ambalama

Kewulgama Gal Len temple

Stupa

Ancient Door

Buddha statue inside the image house

Drip ledge and Bo tree

We came back to Hunnasgiriya town again and reached Ududumbara (උඩුදුම්බර) town. Our next stop was at Kowilmada where a stone mark placed by survey department can be seen. (In between 47th and 48th kilometer post in left hand side).

Kowilmada survey mark

People at this area called this as the center of Sri Lanka. (Nalanda Gedige (නාලන්දා ගෙඩිගේ) also called center of Sri Lanka!). But it looks like a measurement point used by survey department. I have seen similar mark at Puttalama also.

Uddika is showing the place of bench mark

Fundamental Bench Mark

Closer view

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Similar mark at Kalladi village in Puttalama

After passing Kowilmada, we came across Tampitiyana (ටැම්පිටියාන) junction where we got right hand side road to reach Pallepitawala Ambalama. It was about 4-5km from this junction to Ambalama.

Pallepitawala Ambalama

This Ambalama is also similar to Kewulgama Ambalama where you can see nice wood carvings of Kandyan era.

The road towards Pitawala Village

Scenic Pitawala village

Pallepitawala Ambalama

Nice wood carvings there

Having a rest

Then we came to Tampitiyana junction and moved towards Mahiyangana. Giants of Knuckles massif-Yahangala, Kehelpothdoruwa, Dumbanagala and Sphinx rock were seen in left hand side of our way. We stopped at the beginning of 18 hair pin bends to have some snaps.

View from the beginning of 18 hair pin bends. Black star-Mapakada Lake, Red star-Dambarawa Lake, Blue star-Sorabora Lake. My guess might be wrong

Black star-Mapakada Lake. Black arrow shows Friar’s hood.

At the beginning of 18 hairs pin bends

Few snaps of 18 hair pin bends (දහ අට වoගුව)

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We passed Gurulupotha once we got down 18 hair pin bends. Gurulupotha archeology site is situated near to Gurulupotha Rest House. It is called “Seetha Kotuwa” (සීතා කොටුව) where Seetha was kept by King Rawana (රාවණා රජතුමා). I have been there 5years ago and there were beautiful cascades down to archeology site called Seetha Kotuwa waterfalls.

Foot pathway to archeology site starts behind archeology office

Have to cross the canal also

Seetha Kotuwa archeology site through trees

Seetha Kotuwa Archeology site: It has foundation of two buildings and outer wall

Getting down…..

Seetha Kotuwa waterfalls snapped 5 years ago

Seetha Kotuwa waterfalls snapped 5years ago.

Seetha Kotuwa waterfalls snapped 5years ago

Hasalaka was our next stop where we had our lunch and turned to Minipe with hope of joining with Mahaweli Raja Mawatha. Here we had to miss two major waterfalls- Rathna Ella (රත්න ඇල්ල) and Kaluwa Watuna Ella (කළුවා වැටුන ඇල්ල) due to lack of time.

Rathna Ella-Photo was taken 5 years ago

Kaluwa Watuna Ella-photo was taken 5 years ago

The road went parallel to Minipe Yoda Ela (මිණිපේ යෝධ ඇල) and entered Sri Lanka’s largest sanctuary- Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe (VRR). We came across Rantambe National Cadet Center. At this junction we directed to Rantambe dam and reservoir.

Rantambe reservoir and dam

Rantambe dam and power station is the most downward project over Mahaweli River in Dumbara valley. Rantambe has catchment area of 3118Km2 and production capacity of electricity is 52MW. Power station is at left bank of the dam. It was built with financial aid of Germany. Rantambe dam is a gravity type concrete dam (42m high) which has three spillways.

When we visit Rantambe reservoir has been completely emptied for repair in the dam.

Starting of Minipe Yoda Ela-Minipe Anicut.

The road through VRR sanctuary

Rantambe reservoir. They have emptied the reservoir

Rantambe Reservoir

Rantambe Dam

Over spills of Rantambe

Hydro power station of Rantambe

Restarting of Mahaweli River

Evening sky over Rantambe

Details of Rantambe project – Click Image to Enlarge

Following Rantambe we proceeded towards Randenigala dam. Dam and overspill were visible to the road. We entered Raja Mawatha and walked over the dam. It was nice to stay over the dam when dusk comes.

Randenigala reservoir and dam

Randenigala reservoir is the largest one built under accelerated Mahaweli project. Randenigala has catchment area of 2330Km2 and production capacity of electricity is 126MW. Power station is at left bank of the dam. It was built with financial aid of Germany. Randenigala dam is an embankment type dam mostly made of rocks. It has three spillways.

Randenigala over spills. Note the road in left hand side is Raja Mawatha

Randenigala over spills

Randenigala Reservoir

Randenigala Dam

Randenigala over spills

Randenigala power station

Over Randenigala dam. This is Rantambe reservoir. Road connects Rantambe road to Raja Mawatha

It ended our two day visits to Dumbara valley and we reached Kandy by 9pm. Before that we stopped at one place on our way to Kandy. That is Keerthi Bandarapura ancient dewalaya.

Keerthi Bandarapura ancient dewalaya is an important stop of drivers to get blessings from local god called Keerthi Bandara

Thank you for reading. Have a safe journey.

Even we went the Knuckles on many ways before, but we didn’t go to the “Meemure” any day. I had an eager to go Meemure early but I couldn’t do that some causes. At last as a result of my eager I get the chance to visit Meemure.

If we decided to go Meemure from Bambarella across Kalupahana but we had to change that. Because we hadn’t clear information about that way. So we chose Knuckles way across Alugallena way. Dear brother Niroshan helped so much to reach this target to me. We were ready to this journey without any guide, but we had great information & guidance from Niroshan.

We went Waththegama at about 6.00am which left from Kurunegala about 4.00am and the way across Katugasthota. We could catch the first bus from Waththegama to Bambarella at about 6.15am and also we get our breakfast in this bus. After 1.5hr journey we could reach to Bambarella at about 7.45am.

After got down from bus we were chat with some villager and get an idea about our way. There after journey was started along that way. After some distance of the way we could use short cuts across tea estate according to on formations of villagers. The cool climate and the beauty of nature were reduced our tired and the words which told poor Tamil villagers were enthusiastic our journey.

Just got down & go forward.

Using shortcut

White Beauty…

Misty isn’t outside yet

Newly sprouted tree

Gift of British aggressors

Little fascicule

Bambarella Tea estate

Golden tea buds

When we entered to upper portion it passed 10.30am and our speed of journey was reduced by the beautiful surrounding. The way was finished from here and then we entered to small foot path of the right side of the way. Some of tiny cottages were in this path and we could see some tea plucking women also. After another 20min. forward we could came close to beautiful water fall Knuckles. Then we took a small break there and started journey again.

Go forward

Instability

Art house

Mmmm… Orange…