Sigiriya: The Citadel of King Kashyapa

 අටවන පුදුමය

    (pic. by Sajendra- 30/10/2022) 
The Eighth Wonder of The World

Location: 

පිහිටීම 

Sigiriya is situated in the Mathale District ( central province ), in close proximity to Dambulla, on the borders of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts. If you travel on the Trincomalee-Kurunegala express way from Kurunegala you have to turn right at Inamaluwa. Sigiriya is located only 10.1 km from there. (Inamaluwa-Sigiriya) 

Sigiriya can be reached on the  Digampathaha-Kimbissa (9 Km)  road ,too.  (close to Habarana, towards Kurunegala )

Namal Uyana, The Pink Quartz Mountain

Bambarakanda Falls- Kalupahana

Location

Bambarakanda Falls is situated in the small town of Kalupahana in the Badulla district, about 5 Km away from the A4 highway on the Hatton-Beragala road. One has to take a narrow road, a distance of about 5km to the waterfall. If you travel by public transport, you have to get off at Kalupahana.  You can easily hire a trishaw or simply walk. 

The road is not suitable for large vehicles like buses or even mini buses. It is not advisable for travelling to the falls during the height of the rainy season as the road is often blocked with rockfalls and minor earth slips. 
The road falls through a small typical mountain village which adds extra memories to your journey. The villagers are friendly and hospitable.

Bambarakanda is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a height of 263m and ranks 299th in the world. 
The waterfall is situated surrounded by an emerald forest. After reaching the place one has to take a narrow foot path to get closer to the waterfall. The local council has constructed the footpath with steps and railings where necessary so that visitors of all ages could get near without much difficulty. The visitor has to walk through a small patch of forest on a slightly steep side of a mountain. 
The local council has put up an observation platform closer to the falls. 

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Bambarakanda Falls

The waterfall at a distance impatiently waiting for the visitor to show her true beauty.
                   

A view of the falls at the car-park. It provides a breathtaking view and makes you further impatient to begin the trek. 

 The walk to the falls begins here. 

The trek to the waterfall through the pinewood. 

The beautiful patch of pinewood which enhances the beauty of the waterfall. 

The visit to the waterfall leaves an unforgettable memory. It is upto the visitor to keep this wood as clean as possible. 

Let the children absorb the tranquil beauty of this place into their soul so that they would protect them for generations to come. 

In the pinewood. 

 The milky waterfall.

A breathtaking view of the cascading Bambarakanda waterfall. This click speaks more than thousand words of the mesmerizing beauty of Bambarakanda. 

The crowds enjoying the cool waters of the waterfall. 

Visit Bamabrakanda Waterfall and add to your life a cherished memory . One day when you sit on your couch 'in pensive or jocund mood' as Wordsworth puts it in his famous poem 'I Wondered Lonely As a Cloud' they will flash upon your 'inward eye'. Teach your next generation the value of preserving these natural beauties

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MY LIFE AT SIGIRIYA 

❤ Hope you enjoyed the tour with me to Bamabrakanda Waterfalls. 

 

Attanagalla, Raja Maha Vihara

 

The Royal Temple of historic Attanagalla Vihara

The Attanagalla Raja Maha Vihara was built by king Gotabhaya during 249-262 AD. It was later reconstructed by king Upatissa ( 365-406 AD)

Attanagalla is a small town located in the Gampaha District, Western Province , Sri Lanka. Attanagalla borders the Kegalle district in the Sabaragamuwa province. The picturesque village of Attanagalla is situated on the west bank of the Attanagalu Oya. 

Attanagalla is well-known in the country due to two reasons. 

• historically: due to the Attanagalla Raja Maha Vihara
• politically  : The hometown of the Bandaranayakes 

          - Late Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake (prime minister)

          - Late Mrs. Sirimawo Bandaranayake 

                 (First woman prime minister of the world)

          -Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranayake 

                 (First woman executive president of Sri Lanka)

          -Late Mr. Anura Bandaranayake

                 (Speaker - Sri Lanka Parliament) 

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Location of the  Attanagalla Raja Maha Vihara.

Attanagalla Raja Maha Vihara can easily be reached from Colombo- Kandy highway. The temple is located on the Nittambuwa - Hanwella road ( 6km. from Nittambuwa).  The temple can also be reached from Pasyala.  

Kudumbigala Monastry

Kudumbigala Monastry: One of the most picturesque hallowed precincts in the Eastern Province.

Location: 

Kudumbigala is located around seven miles from Panama. It is also located in close proximity to the famous bird sanctuary in the island: Kumana. 

Kudumbigala Buddhist monastery was built in 246 BC, during the reign of King Dewanampiyathissa. This picturesque  place provides an ideal environment for the Buddhist monk to engage in meditation as it is located away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. The monastery is nestled in the thick forest infested with wild animals, especially elephants. 

The inscriptions in Brahmi script and other evidence in the recently discovered cave, Maha Sudharshana Lena, shows that Kudumbigala was established as an Aranya Senansanaya in the pre-Christian era. A stone inscription has it that the Maha Sudharshana Lena was built and gifted to the Arahats by the Giant Warrior Nandimitra, one of King Dutugemunu’s “Dasa Maha Yodayas”: the ten giant warriors.

The Arnaya Senasanya was kept away from the visitor during the recent civil war in the North due to terrorist attacks (LTTE) on innocent civilians in the area. From time to time a large number of civilians were hacked to death by the merciless terrorists. But with the dawn of peace to the island, thanks to the efforts of the Rajapaksha rgime, Kudumbigala is once again drawing attention of the both the local and the foreign visitor. The journey to the Monastery is not an easy one but it is a challenging experience for the visitor.  

As the Monastery complex is situated in an arid zone coupled with the dry wind from the  sea which is a stone's throw from the location one needs to carry enough liquids to prevent dehydration.

The journey begins

The traveller made the journey at the height of the dry season. 

The Kudumbigala Sanctuary

The Wooden Bell which is used to call the meditating monks for alms.

Rest, children enjoying the ardous climb. 

The famous rock formation which has the resemblance of an elephant carrying a relic casket through the forest. 

A web novel written by Ruchi Tarin

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