Mandaram Nuwara | The Misty City In Sri Lanka

Mandaram Nuwara also known as The Misty City is a mesmerizing mountain village located at the foot the Mount Piduruthalagala, the highest peak in Sri Lanka. The area is known as 'Mandaram Nuwara' apparently because the surrounding mountains blocks the sunlight for most part of the day. 

The blogger , Sajendra Kumara , visited this picturesque mountain village with a group of friends on motorcycle ride on the 28 July, 2026. We reached the village from Kandy passing Loolkanda Tea Estate of James Taylor fame. 

The towering mountains in the vicinity creates a stunning picture. We took accommodation at a small villa by the road. As the following day was a Poya Day , we could the experience the moonlight in the Misty City. There was a mild cold wind. 

Mandaram Nuwara is one of the best places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. People in the area are also quite friendly and hospitable. The traces of the recent Ditwah Cyclone could still be seen along the road. However, the road is in a motorable condition for smaller vehicles. 

Watch the video

 

Golumale Rock Pools | Wonders Of Nature |Yatimadura

 Golumale is a rare natural attraction located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The blogger visited this unique natural wonder on one of his motorcycle adventures. 

This natural wonder is located in the remote village of Meeglolla (Mee-golla) in the Yatimadura Grama Niladari division. 

It is located at a distance of about 15 km from Nildandahinna and about 23 km from Walapane, in the Nuwara Eliya district. 

Golumale is formed along a tributary of the Uma Oya locally known as Kuda Oya (also Madulu Oya) which flows bordering the Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe Sanctuary. 

The rock pools

Over millions of years, the natural river erosion has carved out  extraordinary deep circular rock pools. When the water level is low enough the stream appears to magically vanish into a circular pit, flow underground through natural rock cavities and resurfaces from another further down. 

The name Golumale

The term 'Golumale' roughly evokes a sense of leaving people speechless (golu) due to its surprising, silent or hidden underground water behaviour. Truly, this stunning behaviour of the running water makes people speechless. 

Because of its remote location, mysterious underground water flow, and rugged terrain some people believe in hidden treasures tucked away in nearby caves and rock crevices.

For generations Golumale was known only to local farmers, villagers and cattle herders. However, the rise of adventure travel and social media-platforms in Sri Lanka, it has gained attraction as off-the beaten path eco-tourism destination. 

One side of the river borders the wild life sanctuary infested with wild elephants while the other side features villagers cultivating terraced paddy fields. 

(You should not visit this place during the rainy season as the it makes the rock pools submerge) 

Medirigiriya | The Round Chamber House | Watadageya

 This short article is based on a visit to the historic Medirigiriya ruins on the 28th June 2026. 

Visitors to Polonnaruwa often overlook The Medirigiriya ruins due to either ignorance or the less popularity it receives. Most Sri Lankans talk highly of the ancient ruins scattered in the cultural triangle which lies in the heart of Polonnaruwa city but not Medirigiriya. Medirigiriya is located about 15 km to the west of Polonnaruwa. The road to Medirigiriya ruins is a highly motorable one. 

Medirigiriya monastery creates an important niche in the Buddhist history according to some historians who conducted researches with regard to the inception of this magnificent hallowed place. No research has yet found as to whose brainchild is the Medirigiriya monastery. However, it has been found that this monastery had been in operation between the 3rd century BC and 13 AD. 

The place had been known as Mandalagiri and Madiligiri in certain periods of history. According to the Buddhist chronicals King Kanitta Tissa , King Agbo -2 and king Sena have made constructions in this place. Also some evidence have been found that king Wijayabahu -1 had renovated the Medirigiriya Monastery during the 11th century. Further, archaeologists have found evidence of an ancient hospital in the place. Perhaps certain Buddhist monks may have engaged in this purpose. 

The monastery had been abandoned due to Maga invasion in the 13th century. Later, in 1897, H.C.P. Bell had discovered this place hidden from the public eye from the forest. The reconstruction work had been undertaken in 1941. 

Diyabeduma | Water Bifurcation

This short description is based on a visit to the Diyabeduma , the historic water bifurcation point located on the Girithale - Bakamuna road. Seemingly, the surrounding village has got its name due to the anicut.  

Diyabeduma bears witness to the hydro-engineering skills of ancient Sri Lankans. It also stands testimony to the fact that ancient Sri Lankans were masters in water management. This historic construction also confirms the belief that Sri Lankans took every effort to conserve water. 

History in brief

The anicut divides the waters of the Yoda Ela which contains the waters of the Ambanganga. The Elahera - Minneriya Yoda Ela (Giant Canal) was initiated by the King Wasaba around 2nd  century A.D. The length of the canal is around 20km. Then the water is split at the point known as Diyabeduma and diverted into the Minneriya tank and the Girithale Tank. The system is said to have been further developed by the king Agbodhi -11 during the 7 century A.D. The system has further been developed by the king Parakramabahu 1 during the 12th Century A.D. 

The entire area and the canal had been abandoned due to various reason for centuries until the British renovated it in 1887. 

  

RIVERSTON VIEWPOINT | THREE MONTHS AFTER DITWAH

Riverston is one of the most picturesque places located within the Knuckles Reserve, Matale. Riverston ,a popular hiking place in Sri Lanka, can easily be reached from (approximately around 35km) the Matale town. 

The blogger together with two friends visited Riverston on a bike ride on the 27 Feb. 2026, exactly three months after the Ditwah disaster. The signs of fury which Ditwah unleashed on Sri Lanka can still be seen at certain places on the way. The road has been cleared by now. The road to Riverston is highly motorable. 

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Riverston is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area is known for its high biodiversity. 

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One may possibly wonder as to how this place got its name 'Rieverston'. It is widely believed that 'Riverston' is a combination of 'river' and 'stone'. The winding rivers and the crops of stones scattered in the area prove this belief. 

There is a distance of 2 km to the viewpoint which is located close to the transmission tower installed on top. The hike from the entrance to the viewpoint is the most interesting part of the journey. The view around the area is mesmerizing.