YAPAHUWA

                        YAPAHUWA

Yapahuwa is located a little way off the Kurunegala-Anuradhapura road, in the Wayamba province of Sri Lanka. Of all the ancient ruins in the country the Rock Fortress Complex of Yapahuwa is considered to be quite remarkable despite the fact that it isn't famous among most visitors. However, it is renowned as one of the best archeological site in the country. It is even rumored to be more significant than The Rock Fortress in Sigiriya.   
                 Yapahuwa was the seat of govt. in the 13th century. The rock here rises abruptly to a height of about 200 meters. On the south and east sides of the rock, the land has been build up into terraces and retained by walls, to gain to summit. Subha or Subhapabbota occupied the rock for purposes of military strategy. From here he was able to check Magha's (1215-1236A.D) forces from proceeding southwards. Magha of Kalinga led an invasion of the Island with nearly 24,000 solders. Later (1272-1284 A.D) Bhuvanekabahu made Yapahuwa his capital and transferred the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha from Dambadeniya to Yapahuwa. Two sets of moat and rampart gird the rock. Between the outer and inner ramparts was the outer city
                                       
                                  Following the decline of polonnaruwa  kingdom, the capital of Sri Lanka was shifted to Yapahuwa by King Buwanekabahu the first. The palladium of the Sinhalese Buddhist nation, the sacred tooth relic of Buddha was enshrined within the newly built temple at the Yapahuwa. However Yapahuwa too once again fell to the marauding Dravidian invaders from Southern India. After the death of Buwanekabahu the first, the Pandayan marauders invaded the island once again, pillaged the kingdom of Yapahuwa and carried the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha to the Pandayan Kingdom.

The successor to Buwanekabahu the first, King Parakkramabahu the third (1287–1293) having visited the Pandayan court in Southern India in 1288, secured the Sacred Tooth Relic, the palladium of the nation, once again, to the great relief of the Sinhalese.
     
         

                           
                                 The rough path to the top of the rock is a steep climb. At the top of the hill are caves inhabited by ascetic monks for centuries before
 became the capital of Sri Lanka.

NUWARA ELIYA

                     SUNDARA NUWARAELIYA
The city was founded by Samuvel berker  the discoverer of Lake Albert and the explorer of the Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya's climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England then, was also a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting,elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.Nuwara Eliya is a mountain station at 1,868 m (6,128 ft) of altitude, in a splendid landscape. The city pretends to be particularly well-kept and neat, and the always green grass gives to the locality an aspect of “colonial British style".
                              Situated at around 2000m above sea level and surrounded by lush tea plantations Nuwara Eliya is the main hill resort of Sri Lanka and the heart of the tea industry. Once a pleasure retreat of the European planters the town is still very much an English town with many English style bungalows and buildings. Nuwara Eliya is a good escape for those who miss cool breeze in tropical Sri Lanka at any time of the year. Local tourists flock to this town in their 'season' from March to May when it is the hottest duration for the town, April being the busiest.
                                                
                                 

WASGAMUWA NATIONAL PARK

                   WASGAMUWA NATIONAL PARK

      The Wasgamuwa National Park lies within the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts.                      
    The National Park of Wasgamuwa is a stunning expanse of grasslands and hills described by locals as the most beautiful place in the whole of Sri Lanka. Elephants are synonymous with Sri Lanka and have lived alongside the people as long as the civilisation has existed. Be a part of the conservation effort and get to know the real Sri Lanka!
      
Wasgamuwa National Park  spanning over 36,900 hectares is bordered by River Mahaweli Ganga and River Amban Ganga in east and west. The altitude varies from over 500m at the Sudu kanda hill to just 76m along the Mahaweli Ganga. The combination of a number of small reservoirs and Sudu kanda mountain range affords fine trekking opportunities for keen hikers.

Tropical dry mixed evergreen forest predominates, characterized by tall trees: Weera (Drypetes sepiaria), Palu (Manikkara hexandra), Wa ( Cassia roxburghii) Ehala (C. Fistula), Buruta (Satin), Chloroxylon Swietenia, Velang (Pterospermum canescens), the endemic Galsiyambala (Dialium ovoideum), Milla (Vitaex Pinanata) and Kaluwara (ebony) (Diospyros Ebenum).

Wasgamuwa National Park’s  climatic conditions are that of the dry zone. Rain fall is mainly with the northeast monsoon (Maha) in October-February. Inter-monsoon rains occur in March-May. Annual rainfall increases from about 1,750 mm in the north to 2,250 mm in the south. Mean annual temperature is around 27 centigrade.                                     
                  
    Getting there  
                     
Turn off at Hasalaka on the Kandy, Mahiyangana Road and proceed via Wilgamawa upto Wasgamuwa. Visitors from Matale and Polonnaruwa areas can reach Wasgamuwa via Laggala and Wilgamuwa. The Wilgamuwa Japan Bridge provides the easy access to visitors coming from the Mahaweli system-C.
Distances to Major Towns

Colombo - Wasgamuwa via Kandy - 225 km
From Hasalaka - 45 km
From Wilgamuwa (Hettipola) - 16 km
From Laggala - 32 km
                                   
                                                        
             wasgamuwa national park                                 
                
                           wasgamuwa national park

AMBULUWAWA

                         AMBULUWAWA

Located in the middle of the Gampola Kingdom, Ambuluwawa is a rock mountain discovered in the 14th century by the Sinhala King Buvanekabahu IV.
  From the energetic Gampola town, dominated by its railway station, the route to Ambuluwawa falls along Nidahas Mawatha, accessed by the Station Road. Gradually the ascent begins and each turn offers a varied perspective of the town, the Mahaweli River and the hilly surroundings,  while the rich fauna shelters a journey that gradually unfolds

                                                         Beautiful entrance, twin ponds, water parks and stone parks are unique features of the Ambuluwawa summit. Herb gardens and nature bring immense relaxation both to mind and body. Spine plantations and orchards are fine examples which tell us that local agro economy should be developed. International Conference Hall is equipped with all the necessary facilities for conferences. Area above the tank is a forest haunted by deers and sambhars making the environment lively.
                                         
  
                  a great place to visit if you are in gampola.

YALA NATIONAL PARK

               

                                               Yala National Park

Yala National Park is located in the south eastern region of Sri Lanka and extends over two provinces of hambanthota district of southern province and Monaragala district in Uva province. The entrance to the park is at Palatupana, 12km from Kirinda. The distance from colombo   to the entry point of Palatupana is 305 km..You can tak

tour from any number of guest house/hotels in the city. Most leave at 5:00 or 14:30, but it depends on if you are going for half/full day or overnight. The entrance to the park is about 3,500 rupees, but it changes often. The tours should cost about 4,000 to 6,000 on top of the admission ticket. It is usually split between the people in the truck, but you should negotiate this. It can be expensive to do alone, so it is best to try and partner with others to increase bargaining power. The tour guides often will use you as bait for people coming off buses. It makes both your lives easier to meet the people off the buses right away, as it gets competitive and most drivers will call their friends to tell them you are coming. They all know what travelers are coming here for.         

                                                                             The park is best known for its variety of its wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.You are also sure to see elephants – grumpy loan males during the dry months and large herds in the wet season. Sloth bears are also a big draw. You will also see mammal such as wild boars, several species of deer and wild buffalo. There is a plethora of reptilian species and platoons of crocodiles. As is common in Sri Lanka there is a huge diversity of stunning birdlife including migratory species such as the flamingo. It is also one of the few places in the world where the severely endangered black necked stork can till be seen. The uniqueness of the park is the sheer diversity of the habitat: dense jungles suddenly gives way to lagoons and open plain areas and the park has a simply beautiful sea front. Huge, stark boulders dominate the horizon and the elegant,languorous leopard can often be seen basking atop the sun baked rock. 

                                                      
               
                                           
                                                                                                      

Udawalawe National Park

Hello world,

Do you want to spend time with elephants, wild buffalo, birds, deer, and leopards?

Actually, there is the most colorful venue in srilanka. It is called Udawalawe National Park.

 

It is located near a boundary of Sabaragamuwa province and Uwa province, actually from 165 kms from sri lanka main city, near 30,821 hectares. It is established on 30 june 1972.

From most of the country’s coming to see water birds and sri lankan elephants.

Climate of the location

There are two different forecasts in this location (wet and dry) and annual rainfall is coming near 1520 mm. There are 24-29 degrees centigrade on day-and-night temperature. 

Animal life of this location

Elephant

Udawalawa  National Park is very famous for elephants. There are nearly 500 elephants in the park. When you visit to this park you can see elephants are in the morning and evening.

Birds

In this park you can see most colorful Ceylon Junglefowl, Ceylon Spurfowl, Ceylon Green Pigeon, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Ceylon Woodshrike and Ceylon Swallow. Among the other bird species seen are Spot-billed Pelican, Little Cormorant, Grey Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Painted Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, and Green Bee-eater.

 

 

 

PERADENIYA PARK

             PERADENIYA PARK
Peradeniya Botanic Gardens, botanical garden in Peradeniya, near Kandy, Sri Lanka, noted for its rich and varied collections of tropical woody plants. Occupying 59 hectares (146 acres), it has about 4,000 species of plants. The most important specimens of the garden include palms, some of which are planted in impressive avenues. Significant, too, are the collections of orchids, gymnosperms, and flowering trees.
                                
 It is renowned for the collection the variety of Orchids,and has more than 300 varieties of Orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees attach it is the National Herbarium. Total land mass of the botanical garden is 147 acres, 460 Meters above sea level with a 200 day annual rain fall.

ABHAYAGIRIYA STUPA

           ABAYAGIRIYA STUPA

The Abhayagiri stupa was built by King Vattagamini Abhaya in 88 BCE after regaining his throne. He constructed it over a Jain monastery, fulfilling a vow made after being mocked by a Jain ascetic while fleeing for his life from South Indian invaders. It was the largest monastery in Sri Lanka for over 600 years and at its peak, housed as many as 5,000 monks.                                                     

                 
Abhayagiri vihāra is situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the nation. Historically it was a great monastic centre as well as a royal capital, with magnificent monasteries rising to many stories, roofed with gilt bronze or tiles of burnt clay glazed in brilliant colors. To the north of the city, encircled by great walls and containing elaborate bathing ponds, carved balustrades and moonstones, stood "Abhayagiri", one of seventeen such religious units in Anuradhapura and the largest of its five major viharas                   

                            
             

MAHIYANGANAYA

               MAHIYANGANAYA


This ancient Buddhist temple was built in the 6th century BC and it is believed to be the site of Lord Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka and is also one of the 16 most religious sites in the country.

                                                                                                                                        The large & beautiful Mahiyangana Stupa a kilometer south of town signifies the spot at which the Buddha preached. Enshrined in the stupa is a lock of blue-black hair of Buddha & a relic of collarbone of Buddha. The area is very attractive-the park with the dagoba in its well kept & is overlooked by the hills on the far bank of the  mahaweli

                              

                                             It is believed to be the site of Gautama Buddha's first visit to the country, and is one of the Solosmasthana, the 16 sacred religious locations in Sri Lanka. 

                                                                                       Mahiyangana Stupa is the most prominent cultural attraction in Mahiyangana. Mahiyangana region, a plain with Mahaweli river running through it provides access to a several National Parks, bird sanctuaries and aborigine lands: Sorabora Wewa reservoir, Dambana, Ulhitiya Wewa reservoir, Minipe reservoir, Randenigala reservoir, Maduruoya wildlife park, Wasgomuwa wildlife park are the major attractions.

SRI MAHA BODHIYA

                sri maha bodhiya

 The Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is reckoned as the oldest surviving historical tree in the world. It was brought to Sri Lanka by the Theri Sangamitta, daughter of Emperor Asoka and was planted in the Mahameghavana Park in Anuradhapura in 249 BC by King Devanampiyatissa. It is said to be the southern branch of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.                        

                   The Bodhi tree was planted on a high terrace about 21 feet. It was surrounded by railings and today is the one of the most sacred place of Buddhist in sri lanka.   

                                                                                                 Today you can see this 2250 year old tree which is helped by few metal towers and accompanied by 41 “parivara” (companion) trees.

RUWANWALI SAYA

           RUWANWALI MAHA SAYA

The Ruwanwali Maha Saya was constructed by king dutugamunu

 in 161 BCE. This was his most valuable project and it is said that one of the architects designed a bubble of milk. Unfortunately, the king Dutugamunu did not live to see the completion of the Ruvanvalisaya. This sthupa was one of the wonders of the world, with it’s diameter of 90 meters at the base and a height of 91 meters. The complex of the Ruvanvalisaya is surrounded by four walls with elephant statutes made into them.

                                                                                              It is also known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya and aRathnamali Dagaba.the stupa is also one of the solosmasthana (the 16 places of venaration) and the atamasthana. (the 8  places of venaration in the anciant sacred city of anuradhapura)

      
   
According to the legend during the construction of the stupa, different materials were used, such as gold, silver, pearls, corals, steel, clay bricks and precious stones. The construction of stupa was launched on full moon of Vesak month. All the important events in Sri Lanka took place on this very night: Buddha’s birth and death, his arrival to Sri Lanka etc. In the center of the stupa King put 8 big pots of gold and 8 pots of silver. He also put 108 vases around them. In the each of 8 corners of the stupa he put a gold bar, surrounded by 108 silver bars. However he wasn't able to see his creation fully completed: king Dutthagamani died when the roof was being finished. His brother had to continue the construction.

katharagama

                          KATHARAGAMA



 Katharagama is situated in the Moneragala District of Uva province, Sri Lanka. It is situated 228 km ESE of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Although Katharagama was a small village in medieval times, today it is a fast developing township surrounded by jungle in the South Eastern region of Sri Lanka. The town has a venerable history dating back to the last centuries of BCE. It also was the seat of government of many Sinhalese kings during the days of Ruhunu kingdom. Since the 1950s the city has undergone many improvements with successive governments investing in public transportation, medical facilities, and business development and hotel services. It adjoins the popular Yala national park.

It is one of the 16 principal places of Buddhist Pilgrimage to be visited. According to the great chronicle of Sri Lankan history (Mahawamsa), when the Bo-sapling (Bodhi tree under which Gotama Buddha attained enlightenment in Buddha Gaya in North India 2500 years ago ) was brought to Anuradhapura from India 2300 years ago, the warriors ( Kshatriyas ) from Katharagama were present on the occasion to pay homage and respect.
                                              It is one of the five most important sites of worship in the city along with the Maha Bodhi, Kataragama Devale, Sella Kataragama and Vedihitikanda. Many Sinhala Buddhists of Sri Lanka believe that Katharagama Deviyo is a guardian deity of Buddhism and he is the presiding deity of Katharagama temple.                                     
                                                                                                                                                                 

kelaniya raja maha viharaya

                kelaniya rajamaha viharaya

                
         
 

From Colombo city nearly 6 miles, you can reach kelaniya city. It was the capital city of king kelanitissa. He is the scion of king devanam piya tissa. On this main city Situated very famous Buddhist temple. All of Buddhist people believe Buddha have been hallowed his third and final visit to srilanka.

The kelaniya raja maha viharaya is located nearly ten -acre land outlined by the Kelaniya River. This legends land that the Buddha was invited by the naga king. The city was connected with the epic of Ramayana in that Kelaniya's Prince Vibhisana was befriended by Lord Rama of India in his battle against King Ravana of Lanka. A younger brother of Ravana, Vibhisana, like his brother, propitiated Brahma, and obtained a boon in return of a vow.

The temple flourished during the Kotte era but much of its land was confiscated during the Portuguese empire. Under the Dutch empire, however, there were new gifts of land and under the patronage of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha the temple was rebuilt. It was refurbished in the first half of the 20th century with the help of Helena Wijewardana.

ADAM'S PEAK

 ADAM'S PEAK

The mountain is located in the southern reaches of the Central Highlands, in the Ratnapura district of the Sabaragamuwa Province - lying about 40 km northeast of the city of Ratnapura.Four river  named "Mahaweli" "Kelani" "Kalu" "Walawe" start from the top of Samanala mountain.
           
It is 2243m in height above the sea level and about 27km (16 miles) from bottom to the top by foot or 14.4km(9 miles) by vehicle and 12km (7 miles) by foot to the top of the pointed peak.

Sri Pada is known as the only mountain in the world considered sacred by the followers of the four major faiths in the world - Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims. To Buddhists, the imprint at the summit of the mountain is the hallowed footprint of the Buddha, hence the name "Sri Pada". To the Hindus, the footprint is that of God Shiva. To the Christians, it is the footprint of St. Thomas, and to Muslims, it is the foot print of Adam, hence "Adam's Peak". Another name for the mountain by the Sinhalese is "Samanala Kanda" meaning Butterfly Mountain due to the endless flocks of butterflies that wing their way to the mountain with the start of the season.                                                  

 





Hill climb of a different type to witness a spectacular sun rise or just for the thrill of the panoramic views of Sri Lanka or for pleasure . Not just a trail but a pilgrimage to a summit sacred to all of the world's major religions. The most popular hill trail in Sri Lanka to 2200m above sea level. The season is between December and April when the summit is not misty and relatively dry. The base of the climb on the Hatton side is about 2 hours from Nuwara Eliya.

SIGIRIYA

                    SEEGIRIYA


Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos),which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477  – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.The Mahavanasa records that King Kasyapa, having killed his farther to gain the throne, lived in terror that his half-brother, who had taken refuge in India, would return to kill him. He did come back, after 18 years, to find that Kashyapa had built a combination of pleasure palace and massive fortress. Kasyapa come down from the hill to face his half-brother's army on elephant back. Mistakenly thinking he had been abounded, he killed himself with his dagger 
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                       Sigiriya  has also earned renown for its ‘mirror wall’ on which hundreds of  visitors to Sigirya expressed their appreciation of Sigiriya by inscribing their feelings on the Mirror.  These have been  collected and  published in ‘ Sigiri Graffiti’, the famous Archeologist of Sri Lanka ,Dr. Senarath Paranawithana 
                                                          
                                                                                       

sigiriya  is mainly renowned for it’s frescos. There are several theories to

explain whom these ladies represent .  Some believe that the ladies in these frescoes depict King Kashyapa’s queens in his harem. The influence of   paintings of Royalty  and religious  theme of South Asia could be observed in these frescos.. 

      
            
            
Landmarks of Sigiriya        
      
        


     
Water Gardens
  

        The Ancient Monastic Cave Complex and the Rock Boulder Garden 
 
     
Audience Hall    

           
  Cobra Hood Cave 

       
The Sigiriya Frescoes