Dawn of our third day of the tour was a very colorful one

Colorful Dawn

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As usual we were on the road by 6.00 a.m. We had to track back about 1km from the temple to find the gravel road through Nilgala forest towards Komana.

Ready to go

Tracking back to Find the Gravel Road

Towards Nilgala Forest

Dawn

Unpaved Road through Forest

Two Machines

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Endless!

One of several water crossings

Protected!

After a few kilometers through what appeared to be a forest department protected area we started to encounter some signs of civilization.

Sign of Civilization

Wow!

Some rough ascends so we had to PUSH

Hard work!

More rough terrain

…and some better sections of road as well

More cultivations

Traditional Technology Still intact

After about 12km on unpaved roads though forest and chena’s, we crossed Guruwala Oya and reached a paved road. Time was around 8.30 a.m. Once on the paved road we stopped at the first place which appeared to have something to eat!

we crossed Guruwala Oya

Last water crossing before we reached a moterable road

Whereabouts

Public Transport

පලවෙනි තේ කඩේ

ගල් බනිස්

After some tea and ගල් බනිස් it was again time to hit the road. Next milestone was Pidiyathalawa. Another 12km through beautiful rural villages took us to Padiyathalawa via Komana, Dorakumbura and Kolamantalawa.

Signs of a better tomorrow

Beautiful Landscapes

Beautiful Landscapes

Crossing Over

May be next time…..

At Padiyathlawa the first task was to find a place to have a proper meal. Rusiru hotel whch was right at the junction appeared irresistible!

රුසිරු අවන්හල – පදියතලාව

Breakfast? Lunch? how about a “Brunch”?

After a tasty meal it was time for some rest and re-planing. We were already at Padiyathalawa, the planned night park location for the day. The day however was still quite young! So we decided to take some rest and proceed as much further as possible.

Looking for a suitable place to sit and relax, we were warmly welcomed by Mr. Alladin to the little grocery shop he runs facing Mahiyanganaya road.

Next few hours again turned in to some interesting chit chat. After the usual set of who, where, how, why, questions, Mr. Alledin who himself had been an avid traveler and an adventurer of his days, became quite friendly with us!

While chatting with Mr. Alledin we had to get our clothes dried as well

After about 2 hours of resting we were back on the road heading towards Mahiyanganaya. It was a main road so we had to be careful not get run over by a speeding bus or a truck. Also there were several hill stretches which made us do the hard work of pushing and pushing and pushing However most of the time we were quickly rewarded with a long stretch of “Down the pallam” free ride!

Passing Padiyathalawa

On A5

Open and straight A5

Provincial Boundary

An order and an FYI

Road work ahead!

Some Tasty දොඩම් we bought on the way

Stopped here to take some rest

Soon there will be a “brand new” Tarmac

Nice!

Our planned route was through Ulhitiya so we turned right from A5, few kilometers before Mahiyanganaya, and proceeded towards Ulhitiya reservoir.

We turned right

Beautiful Ulhitiya Reservior

Irrigation Canal

Returning home!

It was few minutes past 5 p.m. by the time we reached Ulhitiya reservoir. We had to look for a place to spend the night. Ulhitiya was not a planned night park so we had no information on possible places to stay.

We spoke to couple of people we met to see what options were available, and narrowed down our options to a temple which was said to be there few kilometers down the road. So the two of us started heading that way.

As we proceeded sign boards indicated that we were infact inside the Maduruoya national park and the continuous electric fence suggested that we did not have much time to waste! Guess what? We came across some wildlife department buildings in the new few minutes!

Priyanjan quickly moved in to see whether there was anyone present. Luckily the park warden himself was there. He kindly agreed to let us sleep in one of the newly built but abandoned circuit bungalows of the complex.

Lucky us! After a refreshing bath in the Ulhitiya Reservior  and some “On The Go (Registered Trade Mark!)” dinner, we went to sleep in our faithful tent pitched outside the new but stinking wildlife bungalow!

Maduruoya National Park

We were in Elephant Country

This was Eye Candy!

The abandoned building had a strong bat smell so we decided to sleep outside in our tent

Continue to Next Report – The Day of the Great PUSH!

It dawned to the second day of our cycle tour across the country. By 6.00 a.m. we were on the road leaving Uhana, heading towards Polwatta Junction. The Himidurawa road to Polwatta was great cycling route with lots of scenery and diversity.

Hello, where are you two heading today?

The irrigation canal bringing water from Inginiyagala reservoir (Senanayake Samudraya)

Himidurawa Tank

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Himidurawa bunt road

Reflection – Himidurawa Tank

Old and abandoned

AB001

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At Pragahakele Town

It was at Paragahakele town that we met වෑවල වසන්ත අය්යා. We stopped by him to reconfirm the route. Looking at Priyanjan, his first remark was “සුද්දෙක් නේද?”

Surprising වසන්ත අය්යා and his mates, Sudda started the conversation in perfect Sinhalese! A friendly chit chat continued for several minutes, for the most part of it it was us trying hard to rationalize why we were doing what we claimed we were up to; “a cross country cycle trip”

Most interestingly, after all that friendly chit chat, wasantha ayya’s parting remark was මහත්තය කොච්චර සිංහල කතාකලත් ලංකාව නම් නෙමෙයි!

Passing Paragahakele we continue towards Polwatta Junction enjoying the early morning beauty of the area.

.	Ready to Cultivate

Life – Flowing from Inginiyagala

Paragahakele Lake

Reflection once again!

we reached Polwatta junction few minutes past 8.00 a.m. We turned right to head towards Bibile from Polwatta, continuing our journey inland. At the junction we stopped for breakfast.

Road to Bibile via Namal Oya

Crossing the Irrigation Canal

Breakfast Stop

….and this is what we had for breakfast

After breakfast we paid a quick visit to Owagiriya Temple which was the planned night park for the day before. After informing the monks about the change of plans we continued our ride towards Namal Oya.

Beautiful scenery continued

Towards Namal Oya

.	Where Namal Oya bus terminates

We had a cup of team from the only kade there and started our ride across the bund of the  beautiful Namal Oya reservoir. It was an absolutely stunning site.

Click Click Click …..

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Namal Oya reservior

Colorful

What a sight!

51

Passing NamalOya Reservoir we entered Galoya National Park. The road was in good shape and trees on either side were providing reasonable cover from the rising sun. So we leisurely paddled through the park for the next several kilometers. The road was bit hilly, which meant that we did some pushing in between, but we were compensated equally with long and mild “Down the Pallams”

Goodbye “East” – Click Image to Enlarge

Here we come!!!

Beautiful Scenary

A giant standing tall

As we came out of the national park we stopped at රාලහාමි අක්කාගෙ කඩේ for some hot tea. We were warmly welcomed by both රාලහාමි අක්කා and her brother who happened to be there at the time of our arrival.

After the usual inquiries around what we were up to, Ralahami Akka’s brother said, ඒත් මම අක්කට කිව්ව ඔන්නෙ සුද්දො දෙන්නෙක් එනවා ඔරලොසුවත් විකුනන්නද දන්නෙනෑ කියල. Apparently some backpackers bring fancy items along with them as merchandise to pay for their tour!

රාලහාමි අක්කගෙ කඩේ

We enjoyed the great hospitality and interesting chit chat over the cup of tea and said good bye to both of them and started heading towards Nilgala.

Bibile-Nilgala Forest

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Remnants of the dark years – Hopefully abandoned for ever!

Interesting Frame

Typical “Nilgala” vegetation

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Then we reached the first “Big Climb” of our tour. It was “Makada Kanda”, roughly 150m elevation gain over approximately 4km stretch with couple of hair-pin bends. Pushing two heavy cycles up on a steep road was much tougher than we expected ! It took us a full hour of huffing and puffing, stopping every 10 minutes or so to catch our breath to reach the top.

This is where it all started

Up up and further up

Stopping every 10 minutes to catch the breath

ජීවිත 16 බිළිගත් මාකඩ කන්ද

More sharp bends to push up hills through

View from the top

This is where we came from

Finally we are at the top

After the great push it was time to sit back and relax while gravity did its job taking us down the hills to Rathugala at record speed! Passing Rathugala we reached our night park location for the day at Bulupitiya.

නීතිය ගැන දැනුවත් වෙමු

Towards Bulupitiya

It was around 5 p.m. by the time we reached Bulupitiya. There was a police post (Karandugala Post) so we first went there to inform them of our presence.

Then it was time for a cup of tea. As usual we went to a small තේ කඩේ and it started all over again! මහත්තයල කොහේද යන්නෙ? මේ බයිසිකල් වලින්ම! ඉතින් මොකටද මේ යන්නෙ? මහත්තයල විශ්වවිද්‍යාලයකින්ද? සමීක්ෂණයක්වත් කරනවද මෙහේ? මහත්තයල ඔය කියන ගමන නිකම්ම යනව වෙන්න නම් බෑ

By this time we knew that patiently answering these questions was the way to break ice and be friendly with the locals. So after few minutes there was Mithila and Priyanjan sitting on the “Pila” of the small kade, chatting to everyone who bothered to stop by

One of them we met there was an 85 year old gentlemen. He has worked on construction of Inginiyagala Dam and the Ampara Air Field many decades ago and knew the area before the Inginiyagala dam was built. He told us what “Makara” and “Gilma” in Galoya really were before the Senanayake Samudraya swallowed up the whole area. It was so interesting to listen to him.

After about an hour of chit chat we returned to the temple. A malli we met brought us two dinner packets from a nearby home. Then it was time to go to sleep in our faithful tent, this time pitched in the “Bana Maduwa” of the temple.

The temple

Good Night

Continue to Next Report – Memorable Ride through Nilgala Forest

After a good night sleep, we woke up around 5.00 a.m.

We wanted to leave as early as possible but we also wanted to make sure that we see the sunrise from the eastern most point. With what we experienced in the previous day we were determined to ride as much as possible before noon. So we loaded everything in bicycles first and then went to the beach to see the sunrise.

The beacon and the twilight zone

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The Moon, Beacon and the Clouds

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The Golden Beach

Wow!

Few minutes before 6.00 a.m. we witnessed the rising sun!

Just before Sun Rise

There it is!

We spent another few minutes enjoying the magnificent sunrise from the eastern most point of Sri Lanka

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Then we said good bye to Ganesh and left the beach hut at 7.30 a.m. Ride back to the main road (A4) was very pleasant at this time of the day.

Now it is so cool and pleasant

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Good Morning

Two Long Shadows!

On the paved road; we are close to the A4 now

Ready to move from Night Parking Location

The junction on A4

This is where we came from

Our destination of the day was Ampara. The planned route was via Sagama. To reach Sagama we had to ride about 8km along the A4 and then turn inland at Kanchirankudha (Kanchanakuda).

The Inviting A4 – It was such a pleasure to cycle on this

Endless Paddy Fields on both sides of A4

Good Road Does not mean A Safe Road

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Speed will Bring Death!

Being too slow can also bring death!

.	Kanchirankudha

We paddled few more kilometers to reach the junction where the roard towards Sagama branched off from the A4. Again there was a lot to see along the way.

The double loop

Balance!

.	Where have all the tractors gone?

.	කුමුදු මල්

.	Take the left turn

At Kanchirankudha junction we stopped at a lonely wayside kade for breakfast.

Breakfast Place

Yum Yum ……

After Breakfast we were back on the raod. Now heading inland towards Sagama

B002	Sagama Tank

Whereabouts

This is what that sign board meant!

History never to be repeated!

සරු පොළව

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Passing Sagama tank we turned left on to an unpaved road through vast paddy fields extending beyond horizon on either sides of the gravel road. As it was cultivating season, fiedls were buzzing with activity.

Fields Extending Beyond the Horizon

Perspective

Busy at work

Just Planted

Our next milestone was to reach Ambalamoya tank but none of the farmers we met seemed to know where it is! We quickly realized that were asking the wrong question. So we switched the question to “Where does this road lead to” and there came the answer instantly; “to Manthottam” and that is what they call the area marked in the map as “AmbalamOya”

Few hours later we reached AmbalamOya junction via Veheragala, riding through some of the most picture perfect landscapes of the east. Passing Veheragala a narrow paved road took us to AmbalanOya tank.

.	Over folwing Hapiness

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Water the life blood

No wonder it is a busy place

A fuel Station

Beautiful Ambalamoya tank

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Passing Ambalamoya tank we continued towards Ambalamoya junction via Madalalanda. The last stretch of the road was badly damaged by frequent heavy vehicle traffic. It was almost a nightmare to ride on those dusty, bumpy roads under simmering heat, frequently being surprised by trucks going past us at breakneck speed!

An Approaching monster

Passing us breakneck speed leaving a dust cloud behind

Avurud is already here by the 9th April

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We reached Ambalamoya junction just past noon. Soon after our arrival it started to rain! We had little option but to wait for the rain to stop. So we decided to stop their for Lunch. Some Kimbula Banis from Sunil Stores at the junction was such a tasty lunch I must say

Stopped by the rain

Our route beyond Ambalanoya was via Ekgaloya with planned night stop at Ovagiriya Temple on Namal Oya road. However the prevailing weather made us think that it is a better option to night park in Ampara at a residence of a good friend. After rain stopped we continued towards Ampara.

On a wide, Paved, Flat road once again

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Rain stopped us once again.. and this is what sheltered us

We honored the humble request

Back on road, more paddling ahead

Rain Rain go Away

Sugar cane land at Sewanagala

Harvesting

A25

Wayside food

….and Drinks

Crossing Galoya

තැඹිලි!!!!

We reached our destination, the official residence of a good friend at Ampara by 5.00 p.m.

After some  great dinner it was time for a good night sleep.

Continue to Next Report – Nilgala via Himidurawa, Namaloya, Galoya and Rathugala

Night of 7th April 2012. I was waiting  for the Poththuvil bus at Kaduwela junction. The bus was expected in Kaduwela at 9.45p.m.

The bus arrived on time. Since we had spoken to the bus crew in advance they had seats reserved for me and Priyanjan. With extra loud music on, the bus sped along deserted roads at night.

At Wellawaya Priyanjan got in. We were on schedule to reach Pottuvil at 6.00 a.m. on the 8th April.

Sun Rise – Captured from the moving bus (at break neck speed!)

Good Morning

Once in Pottuvil, the next task was to collect our machines! Hauling two cycles to east was made quite simple by Theshantha who picked those up from where we were and carried them to Arugambay in his double cab on his way to Kumana about a week earlier. Priyanjan arranged a place to safe keep the cycles in Arugambay.

Two of us took a Tuk-Tuk to Arugambay which took may be 10 minutes from Pottuvil bus stand to reach Arugambay. We then collected our machines. It took us about an hour to load the cycles with what we brought in our back packs.

At Ulla (Arugambay)

Ready to depart!

By 7.00 a.m. we were back on the A4 highway, heading north towards Sangamankanda, where the eastern most point of Sri Lanka is located.

The easternmost point which is also know as Sangamankanda (Komari) point  is about 25km north from Arugambay. The newly paved A4 was in great shape and cycling on almost flat, brand new tarmac was a breeze!

The Long Shadow – Still quite early in the morning

Tsunami Domes

We were mesmerized by the beauty of the surrounding. Life was going on as usual in this far eastern part of the island as the two of us casually proceeded towards Sangamankanda at constant 10kmph speed.

We soon realized how much more you see when cycling as opposed to driving on the very same roads.

Green and Blue

Cycling on Flat Brand new Tarmac was a breeze

Colorful!

Ducks!

Reeds and the Boat

Blooming!

327 km on A4 (I believe measured from Colombo)

Komari

The Life’s Routine

Triple Nelson and the Fully Loaded 2WDs

Breakfast!

Wow!

Arriving at the destination

Brand new Tarmac

Beauty of Sangamankanda

Turning off from A4 towards beach in search of the eastern most point

Turning towards beach from A4, our next task was to find the “Ranga’s Beach Hut” which was supposed to be in the Sangamankanda beach few hundred meters from the eastern most point. Time was close to noon and the heat was quite high. We felt like we were in an oven with both upper and lower heaters on!

Distance to destination from A4 was about 4km. However it was not that straight forward to find Ranga’s hut. We got lost in a confusing mesh of foot paths through scrub forest and farm lands which made us battle through the heat and sand for about 1-1.5 hrs before we reached Ranga’s hut.

As we turned from A4 is was a wide paved road, however it soon reduced to this!

Hot sun and Hot Sand – the oven with both upper and lower heaters ON

Final stretch before Ranga’s Hut was particularly sandy

Final push in hot sand!

We are there finally – What a relief

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Ranga’s Beach Hut was a place meant for Surfers who arrive here from all around the world during the surfing season. Apparently Komari beach is one of the best Surfing locations in the world.

Since it was off-season for surfing, we had this nice beach hut all for our selves!

Ranga’s Beach Hut – Sangamankanda

Nice and Comfortable

After a quick lunch (some vegetable rotti we brought with us) it was time to take some rest until the heat subsided. Around 4.30 p.m. we paid a visit to beach and what remains from an old beacon which once stood at the eastern most point guiding sailors.

View from Ranga’s Hut

Beautiful Beach next to Ranga’s Hut

.	What remains from the old beacon which once stood at the easternmost point

The caretaker of the hut, Ganesh, kindly cooked us some delicious dinner. After witnessing a perfect “Moon Rise” over Palmyra fringed beach, we went to sleep in our little tent pitched on the sleeping platform!

Perfect Moon Rise

Right from the first night, this little tent assured us a good night sleep free from mosquitos and other crawlies

Continue to Next Report – To Ampara through vast farm lands of the east

Having read so many interesting reports on Delft and Jaffna, I decided to visit the Peninsula yet again. Coz last time, I only managed a few places.

So I decided to do a bit more comprehensive Jaffna tour and a trip to the Delft Island which is the biggest of island of Sri Lanka.
So I checked the bus services available and Thinakaran Express of Lake House came highly recommended and it really was great. I booked the tickets for that and for the return journey, the train from Vavuniya at 3.10pm.

On 14th, we got onto the bus at Rama Krishna road in Wellawatte around 8.45pm. The bus left around 9.30pm and reached the Lake House for them to take more passengers and their papers for the following day (That’s the main reason they’ve introduced a bus service so that they could make some money while delivering the papers to the peninsula). The service was great and they showed the controversial movie “Vishwa Roopam” on DVD.

However, unlike most other services, the noise levels are not too high and after around 11.30pm, the DVD is completely switched off so that people can sleep in peace.

Day 01. – Kadurugoda Temple / Keerimalai / Dambakola Patuna / Jaffna Dutch Fort / Archeological Museum

We reached Jaffna around 7.30am and took a tuk-tuk to the Uthayan Rest. (Always check with the tuk-tuk drivers about the prices as they sometimes don’t understand what you are saying or try to rob you in daylight whenever possible)

Ravi, the Caretaker at the Uthayan Rest, was there to meet us. He really is a wonderful person who tries his level best to make sure your stay is comfortable. Uthayan Rest doesn’t make meals, but provide you from outside. Ravi makes sure that you’re getting the best and not over charged.

After a typical Jaffna-style string hoppers, pittu and curries, we got into Mayuran’s brand new TVS tuk-tuk around 9.00am. We took the Palali Road, and around mid-way, I saw some beautiful plantations and immediately recognized them to be grapes. I checked with Bimalan, mostly in sign-language, if we could take a few pictures at one of the places and he happily obliged.

The one we went was about 40 perches and there was an elderly person fertilizing the creepers. When we asked if we could take pictures of the place, he was very happy and showed us around and gave a comprehensive explanation. Unfortunately, we understood only a few things coz our Tamil knowledge was minimal. It was the first time I visited a grapes plantation and it really looked gorgeous. There were green bunches of grapes hanging from creepers and it really was something to look at.

Udayan Rest Garden from our Room (1st Floor)

Wow….

Beautifully done

Not ripe yet

Couldn’t resist

Afterwards, we went further up and turned left towards Manipay road and along the Uduvil road up to Kadurugoda Temple. It’s yet another sacred area under threats by the locals as the temple premises is being captured and looted by them. The area which used to be more than 7 acres now reduced to around 3 acres. The temple houses 56 pagodas (now only about 30 visible) containing sacred relics of 60 Monks (Rahathan Wahansela). There are no monks nowadays but the Army soldiers to protect it from those bandits. One soldier said the fences start walking if they are not there. I guess the relevant people must look after these places and make sure they are protected for the future.

.	The Legend – Click Image to Enlarge

.	Remaining Pagodas

One of the big ones

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The Budu Medura in a shed

Our next stop was Keerimalai. We traveled along the KKS road passing Chunnakam and Tellippalai. We then reached the Maviddapuram Kandasamy Kovil at the Maviddapuram junction where we can see the KKS cement factory clearly. I wanted to go see the place but the Military police politely declined our request as we had no prior approval. Disappointed, we took the left turn towards Keerimalai. It really was something to see and one of my friends decided to go for a swim in the famous pond over there. Surprisingly the water was not salty even though it’s only a stone wall between the pond and the sea.

Maviddapuram Kandasamy Kovil

KKS Cement Factory

Keerimalai

Good place to play too

Religious ceremonies

The water is surprisingly not salty and sticky

Afterwards, it was time to visit the Dambakola Patuna where Sangamittha Theraniya brought the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to Sri Lanka. Navy came “Agbo” is located near the temple and they have renovated the temple and now looking after it so that we can worship in peace. It really was a very peaceful place and they even have built a replica of the ship that brought Sangamittha Theraniya to Sri Lanka. Don’t forget to have Belimal from the Navy canteen there with original Thal Hakuru.

Waiting patiently

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Click Image to Enlarge

Click Image to Enlarge

Click Image to Enlarge

The replica

Sangamitta Theraniya

Dolosmahe Pahana

.	The scene depicted well here

The path she took to reach Dambakola Patuna – Click Image to Enlarge

They certainly are unforgettable – Click Image to Enlarge

Don’t forget to have a cuppa – Click Image to Enlarge

Afterwards, we took Mathigal-Sandippai road to reach Jaffna and went around seeing the famous Jaffna fort. It was threatening to rain and started drizzling. However, it didn’t last long and we managed to do a thorough tour of the fort. It’s being renovated to its former glory and hopefully be finished very soon. It was around 2.00pm by the time we finished seeing the fort and feeling ravenous.

I told Mayuran that we need a good place to have thosai and wadai and he took us to the Grand Bazaar Street and stopped at Malayan Café. The thosai and Ulundu wadai was delicious and the service was grand. They serve you on a Banana leaf and the Sambar Curry was excellent. It had everything from Dhal, Beans, Egg Plant, Potatoes and Cucumber. 5 Thosai and 5 Ulundu wadai cost us only Rs. 290/-. Once you’ve finished eating, you have to take the banana leaf and put it into the garbage area. They only bring you the bill, and you have to take it to the cashier and make the payment. It really was a funny thing coz it deprives of the waiters getting any tips.

Afterwards, we got into the tuk-tuk and reached the Archeological Museum which is around 300m from the Uthayan Rest itself. There ended our tour with Mayuran and he charged us Rs. 2500/- for the whole tour which must have been more than 50km and it really was worth.

The museum is in an old property on Navalar road, and has so many old things from Statues, sketches to so much more. It’s apparently forbidden to take the pictures inside the museum but we managed to get the permission from the caretakers.

Entering into the fort

The walls had been painted with maps

Must be the world atlas

The central tower

All in ruins

The canal surrounding the fort

Being renovated

Archaeological Museum is behind

Click Image to Enlarge

The Skeleton of a whale

.	Dutch artillery

Wooden sculpture

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.	Reminds me of Ambekke (This is called Kenimadala)

Must be something used in their festivals

Dolawa (on the right for the Ladies and the left for the men)

Oldest Telephone????

Surgical items (wouldn’t wanna be operated by these)

Found in Mannar

Carved Lion’s head

Telescope

Queen Victoria’s painting

Found in Kadurugoda

Dutch Sign

After about an hour, we reached the Rest and had a wash. When someone visits Jaffna, there’s a place you shouldn’t miss. That’s the Rio ice cream shop and it’s a hallmark in Jaffna. We walked up to the Nallur Kovil and then took a left to the Rio Ice Cream shop and had Chocolate and Nuts which was tasty.

Then it was time to call it a day and after a tasty dinner with typical Jaffna-crab curry and turned in for the night.

Nallur Kovil

Rio Chocolate and nuts ice cream

Not an easy life

Still hunting for fish

Giant Paraw fish

Couldn’t get the name

Famous Kattawa dried fish

Day 02 – Delft Island / Yamuna Pond / Rajamanthri Walawwa

After so much protest from my friends, I got them up and running around 5.00am. Ravi very kindly prepared tea and arranged a tuk-tuk for us to go to the Bus Stand. We reached the bus stand around 6.10am, and a CTB bus was there and got into it immediately. However, there was a private bus too and it left at 6.30am and I started to get worried as we couldn’t afford to miss the only ferry to the Delft.

We then around 6.50am left for Kurikkattuwan and it really was roller-coaster ride. The driver was traveling at maddening speed and it took only 40 minutes to reach the jetty which usually takes an hour or more. Sri Lanka has definitely missed a Formula I driver in him. The jetty is about 32km from the Jaffna town. We got off at the Jetty and it’s the same as you get on board to the Nagadeepa. They now have introduced a semi-luxury ferry to the Nagadeepa called “Mani Nagadeepa”.

We were hanging about till the ferry was ready to leave at 9.00am and it’s for free. There’s another boat that carry goods to the island called “Save the Children” and it too takes passengers providing there’s enough space and they charge Rs. 60/- per person. The passenger ferry “Kumuthini” takes an hour to reach Delft and the ride was smooth. The life jackets are stinking and hardly wearable. I would’ve liked to drown than wearing one.

Bimalan was waiting at the jetty and we immediately set off. The most significant thing in Delft is that it has no brick walls or chain or Thal leaf fences. Instead, the gardens are marked using blocks of Corals kept on top of the other without using anything to keep them in place such as a cement mixture.

Delft is locally named as Neduntheevu. The island’s area is 50 km² and it is roughly oval-shaped. Its length is 8 km and its maximum width about 6 km.

Delft is a flat island surrounded by shallow waters and beaches of coral chunks and sand. There are horses (In reality they are the feral ponies) on the island that ware abandoned after Dutch period. The island was named after the Dutch city of Delft by Rijckloff van Goens. He named the eight most important islands after Dutch cities, but the seven others are now named with domestic names.

Things to see at Delft, in the order we saw them.

1. Famous Pigeon House and the Court Complex – This really was amazing to see in person as opposed to see it in pictures. Bimalan said it used to send messages. The Court complex still has the symbol and the year says on it 1905.
2. Dutch Fort (Through the Hospital) – You have to go through the Delft hospital to reach this and it’s in ruins now and however, has walls still rising to the skies. We can still climb to the first level and it needs protecting as soon as possible.
3. The Tank – This is another sad story of the Delft, coz the legend says that the Dutch wanted to breed horses and get people to work for them, plus they wanted the land so that the horses could be fed using the grass grown. However, Delft was near self-sufficient due to the fresh water tank as it contained the people used to grow everything they wanted and had no desire to work for the Dutch or the English. They then did a very wicked thing one could imagine. They dug a canal from the sea to the tank so the sea water mixed with the fresh water and made using that water for drinking and farms redundant. So the people were left with no choice other than slaving for them.
4. Fresh Water Wells – These wells provide Delft with water, however Bimalan told us that’s the drinking water is very hard to find and specially in April and after when the drought hits, things get very worse.
5. Wild Horses – Such beauty I’ve never seen before. It was so nice to watch them running about. That’s the icing on the cake.
6. The Giant’s foot-print – This is another amazing thing and it looks like a huge right foot print. Even though, the toes are not visible, the shape is very much like a foot. It’s on a rock surface and difficult to believe even a giant could print his foot on a rock surface like that.
7. The stone stable – This is the place where horse were kept. The whole stable was made of rocks and corals.
8. Pagodas – We now can see the remains of the foundations of two Stupa. There’s has been an attempt to build the foundations and try to raise them back. It seems apparently that the treasure hunters had been at work there too.
9. The Swimming Beach – This is something to cherish as the sea stretches into the horizon miles and looks sparkling in the glistening sun. I’ve never seen such a beautiful beach and vivid colors anywhere else. One my friends couldn’t resist the temptation and he went about 1km into the sea and still it was around his waist height.
10. Baob Tree – This is the biggest tree I’ve ever seen and very unlikely to see a bigger one. The tree must be about 40 feet in circumference. It has a whole in the middle where about 10 people can stay.
11. Growing Stone – This is another interesting thing. Bimalan said it really is growing and people worship it in big time. I guess there must be something in it for the people to believe in such a thing called stone growing.

We finished our tour around 1.00pm and sadly there was no such place called a hotel to have lunch. This is mainly due to the fact that they haven’t got a proper supply for fresh water. We then had to wait at the jetty till 2.30pm for the ferry back.

Kurikkatuwan Jetty

Semi-luxury ferry service to Nagadeepa

Nagadeepa looming in the distance

The meter board on the Ferry

View from the pilot’s seat

Here he is

The engine and the fuel supply

The engine and the fuel supply

“Kumuthini”

Delft Jetty

Such vivid colours

Pigeon cage and the court complex

The symbol

Up close is grander than on pics

Post office at Delft

Delft Hospital

Through the hospital to the Dutch fort

Behind the Dutch fort

All in ruins

Inside

The entrance

Delft Cemetery in the back

The tank in the middle of the island

Tame one

Oh ho, we’ve got visitors….

Better to stay away

Kachchativu, last land mass of SL before India lies 10km from here and from Kachchative it’s barely 12km to India

Horse’s skull being used as a Scarecrow

Giant’s foot print

Stone Stable

Pagoda foundation

Small one

Tell me if you can resist taking a bath here

Inside is plenty of room

Mammoth tree

Inside

Growing stone

Up close

Navy still on the move

SL Coast Guards too

Guess who won???

We reached Kurikkattuwan around 3.35pm and our morning bus was there. I happily got into it and expected another mad run. However, it wasn’t like in the morning even though he broke so many records. It was around 4.30pm when we reached Jaffna and feeling hungry like wolves and headed straight to our friendly water hole, Malayan Café. After yet another thosai and Ulundu wadai feast, we took a Point Pedro bus and got off at the King Sangili statue. This was largely due to Christy’s report that I wanted to go see this and we went towards the Church behind it and a group of boys showed us the way to the Yamuna Pond which is about 600m from the Statue. (There’s a proper Road in front of the Rajamanthri Walawwa).

It’s said that the Yamuna pond was where the queen of the Rajamanthri Minister bathed and there allegedly was a tunnel dug from the Walawwa to the pond where she could go and bathe without being seen by anyone. The steps leading to the pond is still there and nowadays it’s being used by other people and we could see a few tubes running from the pond to the nearby houses.

Then it was time to go see the Rajamanthri Walawwa and we almost gave up on that as no one knew about it. This might have been that they didn’t understand what we were trying to ask. However, Dimuthu pushed on the Point Pedro road saying that it must be there and he was dead right. It was about 200m from the Statue onto the left side and the Archeological Department had put up a sign saying it’s a protected area but the gate was open so we helped ourselves.

It’s in ruins and must’ve looked grand in its prime time. However, we could see the well in the house is being used by the nearby people and saw some ladies’ under skirts hanging too. The place apparently used as the tunnel now being used as a dumping place by the same villages and we could see heaps of garbage in it.

After that, it was time for another ice cream at Rio. Tired but exhilarated we went back to the Uthayan Rest and Ravi was waiting at the top of the road wondering if we had lost our way. After yet another tasty dinner we fell asleep and got up to go back to Colombo.

Don’t forget to taste their thosai and ulundu wadai

Here’s the King Sangili

Yamuna Pond

Steps leading to the pond

Rajamanthri Walawwa

From behind

The well

Still standing tall

This should give us a clue

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The entrance may have been to the tunnel, now being used as a dumping area

Second storey is no more reachable

Day 03 – Jaffna Station

On our way to the bus stand, we got our tuk-tuk to stop near the Jaffna station which now has become a paradise for all the hooligans and vagabonds. We could see lots of broken bottles and cans lying around. The walls are peppered with bullet holes and all the door and window frames including bathroom ware have been looted.

We took the Vavuniya bus at 9.45am and reached Vavuniya around 1.15pm. Went to one of my school friend’s house in Ambalangodella, 2km from Vavuniya town and had lunch. Then took the 3.10pm Express train and reached Fort by 8.00pm.

What a grand tour it was. We didn’t waste a second and everything fell into place.

Special thanks to Christy for his support getting the info on Uthayan Rest and Jaffna.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did and now

From left (Ravi, Me, Podi and Ranjith Kumar)

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No one around

The railway track is not there but will soon be

Hope to come here one day by train

Inside

From the stairs

“Ananthayata yana para dige” – A9 from Mankulam

Places Visited

• The Ruhunu Kingdom
• The Tomb of Pussadeva
• Menik Vehera Dagaba
• Ethabendigala stone pillar inscription
• Yatala Vihara dagaba
• Sandagiri dagaba
• Sandagiri Godella Shrine Complex
• Kataragama kiri vehera and dewalaya
• The Thissamaharama dagaba
• Pashchimarama Rajamaha Viharaya
• The Godawaya harbor
• Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Vihara
• Theraputthabhaya dagaba
• Giri Handu Viharaya
• Ramba Viharaya Complex

Map of Sri Lanka showing the demarcation of the ancient Ruhuna
(Curtsey web of Rhuhunu SanskruthikaMandalaya) – Click Image to Enlarge

Having following the Television series of the “Maha Sancharakaya” of Mr. Jackson Anthony we both decided to visit some of these historical sites on a visit to Kataragama on the long weekend of 23th to 25rg February 2013.

The Ruhunu Kingdom was a provincial principality, came to focus only when King Detu Gamunu defeating King Elara and unifying the country in the early period of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

King Vijaya the first king according to “Mahavamsa” rid himself of Kuweni and brought a princess from the South Indian city of Madura and ceremoniously crowned himself King and the princess, the Queen of Lanka.After 38 years of reign in the country and after the demise of the childless King Vijaya, his nephew, Prince Panduvasudeva, the son of his brother Sumitta came to the country and took over the kingdom and ruled from Upatissa Nuwara.He got married to Baddakahchana, a Kastriya Princess from the Sakya clan, and a relative of the Lord Gauthama Buddha.

Six of her brothers accompanied her, named Rohana, Rama, Uruwela, Anuradha, Vijiha and Dighayu. These brothers, with the blessings of King moved out and built their own settlements. Where Anuradha, the brother of Queen Baddakahchana settled, became Anuradhapura, the city that later became the seat of the Kings of the Sinhalese for more than 14 centuries.

About this time also, the country was divided into three provinces of which were I. Pihiti Rata or Raja Rata 2. Maya Rata 3. Ruhunu Rata, while the king reigned at Anuradhapura. Ruhunu and Maya reigned under two sub-kings who were invariably brothers or sons of the king. Since the Sinhalese kings were aware of the needs of the people whose main occupation was agriculture, they, with the advice and guidance of the Maha Sangha, developed the country, giving pride of place to agriculture.

During the period of rule by the Tamil King Elara who ruled from Anuradhapura, the capital of Raja Rata, the two Sub-Divisions of the Island Maya Rata and Ruhuna to the South East were administered by Sub-Kings who were loyal subjects and supporters of the supreme Monarch. At the time Elara ruled at Anuradhapura, Kelani Tissa was king of Maya Rata and Kavan Tissa was king of Ruhuna.

Earlier when King Devanampiyathissa was ruling from Anuradhapura his queen wanted to kill her brother in law Mahanaga in order to give the crown to her son and tried to poison the crown prince ( brother of King Devanampiyathissa ) realizing that his life is in danger Mahanaga left Anuradapura to the Ruhuna.and from there it was another clan was established for the kingship in Ruhuna.

Mahanaga who established a local sovereignty at Magama now Thissamaharama devoted his time to religion. The Tissa Wewa was constructed by him. He was succeeded, at his death, by his son Yatalaka Tissa who fixed his Capital at Kelaniya and built the Kelaniya Dagaba. On the death, Yakalaka Tissa was succeeded by his son, Gotabhaya, who went to Magama again to reign at his grandfather’s capital, leaving a Kshatriya by the name of Kelani Tissa, to reign at Kelaniya.

Son of Gotabhaya King Kawanthissa succeeded his father on his death at Magama. He built many edifices such as Tissa Maha Vihara and the Dighavapi Tank. Neither of them even contemplated war against Elara at Anuradhapura as they believed he was too powerful to be confronted and defeated. But King Kawanthissa built the Rohana Kingdom strongly. King Detugemunu who was the eldest son of King Kawanthissa defeated the Chola king Elara & united Sri Lanka under one government.

The Kingdom of Ruhuna became the major kingdom on the island after a South Indian invasion by Rajaraja I of the Chola kingdom.

We travelled from Colombo via Avissawella, Ratnapura Udawalawe , Debarawewa Thissamaharama and to Kataragama.

At Colambage ara we visited the tomb of Pussadeva a General of Detu Gamunu’s army.

The Tomb of Pussadeva

Pussadeva was one of the ten great warrior generals of Detugamunu’s army. It is said that Pussadeva went to his temple in his village and blew a conch shell so loudly that people were astonished. The sound was powerful as a thunderbolt and some people were terrified. Other than the skill of blowing shells, Pussadeva was a skilled archer. He could hit a target from the light of lightening. King heard of him and admitted to the service

The Tomb of Pussadeva – Click Image to Enlarge

The Tomb of Pussadeva

Arriving in Thissamaharama the first visit was to the Menik Vehera Dagaba on the road side.

Menik Vehera Dagaba

Menik Vehera is not large in size. It was restored in 1894 keeping to the original shape. This stupa is also attributed to King Mahanaga. Some archeologists believe that it was constructed by King Dutugemunu.

In 1882, Governor Robert Longden had granted the land of the temple to Rev. Tangalle Sri Jinaratana, who began the restoration of the stupa and the construction of buildings for a temple. This activity would have destroyed much of the archaeological evidence..

As at Yatala, there are clusters of pillars and ruins of brick walls around Manik Viharaya. Many of the ruins are on privately owned lands. In some places, pillars have been used for construction work while in other places there used for washing of clothes and for bridges and doorsteps.

Around this temple, there are many stone pillar bases and other architectural remains of buildings. . Many of the ruins are on privately owned lands. In some places, pillars have been used for construction work while in other places there used for washing of clothes and for bridges and doorsteps.

Around this temple, there are many stone pillar bases

Ethabendigala stone pillar inscription

Ethabendigala stone pillar inscription – Click Images to Enlarge

The Etha bendi gala inscription

The Etha bendi gala inscription

In the land next to the dagaoba the above stone inscription was seen protected by a roof and it is mentioned that “a village with two categories of revenue was granted to the vihara by Rohanika Gemunu Abaya son of king Gemunu abaya and grandson of King Devanampiyathissa”.

The stone pillar where Elephant Kadol was tethered

A lone stone pillar stand at the left side of the stone inscription. Legend has it that King Dutugemunu tethered his famous elephant ‘Kadol’ at this pillar. It certainly is large and strong enough to retain an elephant.

Close to Menik vihara dagoba is the Yatala Vihara dagaba

The Yatala Dagaba

Click Image to Enlarge

Yatala Dagaba is believed to be built by regional king Mahanaga in the 3rd century BC on the grounds which his queen delivered a son. This dagaba has been identified as Mani Chethiya and Yattalaya in various historical documents. As mentioned before he was running away from Anuradhapura when his queen gave birth to the son here. It is not known what was enshrined in this dagaba but a large number of relic caskets have been discovered.

This Dagaba was completely restored and a small opening has been left to observe the different phases of construction. The restoration work of the Yatala dagaba commenced in 1883 AD. It had taken over a century to complete the restoration.

The oldest Eth Pawura (Elephant wall) in a dagaba is at Yatala Chitya

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It is not known what was enshrined in this stupa but a large number of relic caskets have been discovered in the stupa. There is an Archeology museum next to the dagaba and large number of artifacts are seen there.

Ruins surrounding the dagaba site and at the museum

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Our next stop was Sandagiri dagaba

According to the Maha Vamsa, when the Sri Maha Bodhi was brought to Sri Lanka by Theiree Sangamitta, members of the ‘Kshethiya’ clan of ‘Chandana Grama’ was present at Anuradhapura taking part of the celebrations. It is now accepted that the ‘Chandana Grama’ is the area now known as Sandagiriya in the south part of the country.

When Emperor Asoka sent various relics as gifts to the Sri Lankan king Devanampiyathissa (250-210 BC) and it is believed that they were handed over to his brother Mahanaga who was a regional king in the Ruhuna.

It is said that the king Mahanaga built Sanadagiri Stupa enshrining these relics and a rare conch shell in the 3rd century BC. This shell has been later enshrined in the Tissamaharama Dagaba. Therefore this stupa is believed to be the oldest Dagaba in the southern part of the country. Nearby inscriptions records land donations to this temple by the Kings Bathikabhaya and Vasaba. The stupa lies east to the Tissamaharama Dagaba in Tissamaharamaya.

The Sandagiri Dagaba

The Sandagiri Dagaba

The temple is built on 200×200 feet platform. The floor is tiled with bricks. Only about 1/2 of the stupa remains today. The circumference of the stupa is 700 feet..

It has flower altars at the four cardinal points and on the north side stone pillars are found.

.	Ancient Bo tree at Sandagiri dagaba

Close to SandaGiri dagaba is the Sandagiri Godella Shrine Complex

Sandagirigodella lying about 1 km away from the Tissamaharama Vihara which also lies close to the ancient Sandagiri dagaba overlooking Tissamaharama Vihara.

At the entrance to the site is a stone inscription now preserved with a roofing cover.

The stone inscription at Sandagiri Godella

The stone inscription at Sandagiri Godella

At the entrance to this Sandagirigodella site stands a mass of ruins in stone. Some standing monolithic Stone pillars.

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There is a well preserved Korawakkagala, (balustrade) having a plain moonstone . The unique carving on one side of the balustrade is that of a figure of an elephant (in standing pose), well conspicuous to the naked eye flanked by two guard stones.

The Korawakkagala

The elephant figure

.	The guard stone at the entrance

The guard stone at the entrance

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Since it was late evening we left for Kataragama.

Since Kataragama is a well-known and mostly visited I was not keen in taking many Photos, but thought of giving a historical background of the significance of Kataragama as a Singhalese. We worship the Kiri vehera dagaba and Kataragama god as a Sinhala provincial King who has been elevated to a god. The Bo Tree behind the devalaya was brought there as a sapling from Anuradhapura during the third century B.C. stands as a giant, witnessing the changes that had taken place through centuries.

According to Buddhist tradition God Kataragama is none other than King Mahasena who worshipped and respected the God Kihiri Vehera (Kiri Vehera) and the great Bo tree. He is one of the four gods, the guardians of Sri Lanka and a God in Buddhism. Mahavamsa projects that the Lord Buddha, on His third visit to Sri Lanka, arrived at ‘Kajaragama’and preached Dhamma to King Mahasena and his royalties at the royal park of Kihiri trees. Today the Kiri Vehera derives its name from the royal park of ‘Kihiri Trees’ that later the dagaba (Kiri Vehera). It is believed that the king became respected as a god after his death and Mahasen Devale was erected in honour of him.

According to one Hindu beliefs the birth and life of God of Kataragama is that, a youth named ‘Kandasami’ (Kanda Kumara) who came from India, had been leading an ascetic life in the mountainous jungle near Menik Ganga (the present area surrounding ‘Wedihiti Kanda’).

He is popularly known to have been married to two ladies namely ‘Thevaniamma (an Indian lady) and Valliamma (a Sri Lankan farmer lady).

The other Hindu belief is that a spy master called Kadira of King Elara. Kadira is said to have operated 6 spy rings again sub divided in to 12 groups and based him in the Kataragama area. It was these groups which later were transformed in to six heads and 12 arms of the Kataragama Deviyo. Kadira was known as the “Kadira Deviyo” who later became Kataragama Deviyo. After the defeat of Elara he became a principle benefactor and earned respect from the local Singhalese people who deityfied him after his death. But the Tamils in Kataragama never accepted him as a deity and ignored him. Those Tamils who worshipped at the shrine introduced their own god Skanda Kumar as the reigning deity of this shrine.

The statue of King Mahasena in original state

now a image house is built and a Devalaya is functioning under a Kapu mahattaya

The famous Kavadi dance by pilgrims

travelling Kade on bicycle at kataragama

The Kiri Vehera

a part of the ancient dagaba is left at the bottom of the currently repaired dagaba

Returning the next day we visited the Thissamaharama dagaba but do not like to elaborate as is a regular site vided by all Buddhists.

The Thissamaharama dagaba

Returning the next day we visited the Thissamaharama dagaba but do not like to elaborate as is a regular site vided by all Buddhists.

Coming back to Thissa we visited the Debarawewa Pashchimarama Rajamaha Viharaya.

This temple is situated on the bank of Kirindi Oya, by the side of the Weerawila-deberawewa main road. Construction of this temple is attributed to King Mahanaga of the 3 rd century BC. This was an important temple, very near the capital city of Ruhuna , which went into obscurity with the change of the capital during the 12th century. It was under repairs when we went there. The pillars left at this temple are all that remains to indicate the structures, which were there for religious purposes.

Pashchimarama Rajamaha Viharaya

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.	A statue of the Buddha carved out of limestone was found at this temple and is kept in a temporary shelter. Statue bases, pillar bases and flower alters made of stone are found at this temple.

Leaving Thissamaharama we toured the most interesting place of the Godawaya habour and the river mouth of the Walawe the point it meets the sea. The habour is near the mouth of the river.

The Godawaya harbour

Godavaya is located in Ambalamtota. Sri Lankan and German archaeologists excavate the old Kingdom of Ruhuna, gathering evidence of its glorious past.

In ancient times, Sri Lanka was heavily involved in the sea trade and exported dark red garnets. Up to the 7th century AD, these semi-precious stones were found as burial objects as far away as European graves. New research has now revealed that most of those garnets were from India and Sri Lanka. Spices were also exported from the island. The dig has uncovered Sassanian (Persian) and Chinese pottery as well as Roman coins.

Ships from the East carrying silk from China exchanged their commodities with merchandise from the West in the transit harbor of Godavaya, as trade ships from both directions usually did not go farther than Sri Lanka. Therefore, the Kingdom of Ruhuna played an important role as a trade center in early East-West trade. Godavaya was active in sea trade up until the 6th century AD. Along with trade items from Arabia and China, local articles of trade arrived via the local river.

The harbor town of Godavaya is mentioned in the Mahawamsa’s chapter on “The 12 Kings”. Even in the 6th century AD, Sri Lanka is referred to as an important sea trade centre on the Silk Route. Sri Lanka is also mentioned in The Periplus Maris Erythraei, a guide to trade on the Red Sea and India, written by an author in Alexandria, supposed around 40 AD.

The Godawaya harbour

the fisheries harbour currently on use

The Walawe river mouth and where it meets the sea

The Walawe river mouth

The great River Walawe

The settlement of Godapavata Pattana, sandwiched on the peninsula between the Walawe River’s inland harbor and the sea harbor in the bay of Godavaya. A landing jetty constructed of stone pillars up to 3.50 meters high was part of the ancient harbor. While doing an underwater survey, the excavation team found one of the four ancient stone anchors discovered so far in Sri Lanka, the other three being found in Galle.

On top of the rock overlooking the entire area was the Gottapabbatha monastery, which dates back to the 2nd century AD. On the west side of the monastery an elevated ancient image house (Buddhu gedera) and a chapter house (Dharma salawa) have been excavated.

Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Vihara

Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Vihara

Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Vihara

Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Vihara

Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Vihara is situated on rocky outcrop near the mouth of the Walawe River in Godawaya which is a small fishing hamlet located between Ambalantota and Hamantota. The temple believed to have been built by Regional king Gotabaya (King Kavanthissa’s father) in the 2nd centaury BC. Godawaya is a ancient shipping port active as far as 2nd centaury BC. The temple is also believed to be have been used as the administrative centre of this port.

An inscription found in the vicinity of the temple records that a later king decreed that the taxes from the Port of Godavaya be dedicated to the temple.

The stone inscription – Click Image to Enlarge

it’s covered by sand and brick to prevent destruction to elements

Historians have been especially interested in the Customs Building, located on the east side of the ancient monastery, which was decorated with ornaments showing an elephant placing his trunk in lotus flowers. Normally, only the King was allowed to collect taxes. In Godavaya, the tax fees were donated to the temple for its maintenance. Clay seals bearing the emblem of a lion were used to seal goods and cargo as proof that the customs duty was paid.

Several Roman coins, beads, bangles, bricks showing guild marks in the shape of an O, a huge selection of pottery and rich decorations used for roofs and houses give clear evidence of a once prosperous time. A quarry was also discovered. One large pillar covered with many drill marks dating to the middle Anuradhapura period before the 5th century AD, lies in front of the the huge rock close to the ocean. This is quite notable, as very few quarries have been documented.

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Coming Back to Ambalantota town we turned left and came to see the Theraputtabaya dagaba

Theraputthabhaya dagaba:

At the time of King Kavanthissa a man named Abhaya had a son and was called “putthabhaya” meaning son of Abhaya. Later Abhaya became a monk (monks are known as “Thera” in Pali) and his son was called “Theraputthabhaya”. Young Theraputthabhaya was strong and vigorous. His fame was heard by the King and was admitted to the service.He was a;so one pt the ten warriors of King Detugamun’s army.

.	Theraputthabhaya dagaba

Travelling back again we passed the Walawe Bridge near Ambalantota town and came to Girihandu Viharaya

Giri Handu Viharaya

Dagaba was built by King Kawantissa in 2nd century BC inserting sacred hair given by the Lord Buddha to his first lay- followers, Thapassu and Bhalluka.same with the Girihandy seya in the eastern province too.

A ruined statue of Avalokitheshwara Buddha in 7th Century BC was discovered among the ruins. Further ruins of a Viharaya, Damma Hall and abode of monks are visible at this sacred place

.	Giri Handu Viharaya

Giri Handu Viharaya

Giri Handu Viharaya

Turning at Nonagama junction to head back to Colombo we stopped at Ramba Viharaya Complex

Ramba Viharaya Complex

This ancient place is located on the bank of the Walawe Ganga, in the village of Udarata on the Nonagama-Ratnapura Road. It is about 12.8 km from Ambalantota.

Maha Nagakula was the capital of ancient Sri Lanka in the 11th century AD. The Ramba Viharaya had been the temple of the Maha Nagakula City where a large number of artifacts have been found during excavations.

The Ramba Viharaya was the Royal Temple of the day. It was also the hide-out for King Vijayabahu I who arrived there in the year 1055, while he planned his war against the Cholas for 15 years. Sri Lanka was under the Chola rule for a period of 53 year Vijayabahu had been canvassing among anti-Ramanna Desas such as Burma, Kalinga and Pandyan countries, to form an alliance against the Cholas.

He effected three attacks to surround Polonnaruwa and defeated the Cholas. His son Wickramabahu continued to reign from there while Prince Parakramabahu continued with the tradition. These reasons have prompted historians and archaeologists to carry out their research into the area. They had found a large number of monuments scattered in a land area of 200 acres of dense jungle.

Click Image to Enlarge

Click Image to Enlarge

Ramba Viharaya

Ramba Viharaya

Ramba Viharaya

Ramba Viharaya

Click Image to Enlarge

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A very strange Buddha image has been found excavations which had been made out of the white sand stone.

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The Ramba Vihara had become the most important religious and academic centre of Ruhuna between the 10th and 12th centuries. Scholars of the time such as Rev. Piyadassi Thera and Rev. Mahanagasena Thera had lived here and in other temples around it.

There had been an advanced civilization in the area. A large number of artifacts which had been found following research explorations conducted by scholars during the dry season had proved this fact. The venue itself is unique as there had been an ancient international harbour at Godawaya (there is evidence to support this fact).

Traders had been in the habit of travelling from China to the Arab Seas and Sri Lanka had served as an ideal venue for entrepot trading (imports are re-exported) for which customs duties were collected.

It is under the Ramba (banana) trees that Samanera priests had been learning their religion. Due to this reason, the Ramba Vihara had also been referred to as Kehelgamuwa. During this period in the 11th century, ships had been arriving from Ramanna Deshaya (lower Burma) at the southern parts such as Godawaya.

This area had been economically flourishing during the 15th century AD. During the Portuguese and Dutch periods, a chief priest by the name of Maha Kappinna, had lived there.

Though it had been a role model for a monastery at Maha Nagakula during the 11th and 12th centuries, now it is somewhat deserted.

Having Covered about 650 Km we retirned to Colombo via embilipitiya ratnapura awissawella road.

All information from Maha Sancharakaya TV program and internet.

Here I come up from Tissa Tank!!!! Wait for me!!!!

The END

As my 2nd journey of my 2012 vacation I decided to take a trip to Matale to visit few cascading beauties around the area. As many of our members has done it is no means a hike or some sought of. But just a road trip where we went on search few places where you could find the waterfalls around the area. So I got permission from my dad to have his Hijet “batta” as my transport and asked my best buddy to join me together with my wife for the journey.

Day 1

We left around 8.00 in the morning from Wattala, which is quite late than usual and reached Peradeniya somewhere around 10.30.

The 1st day journey was to head towards Bambarella through Panwila as there are quite a few waterfalls on the way. Just passing Panwila town we could see a large cascade flowing down gently from high up the mountains but couldn’t identify the name of the falls even after inquiring couple of locals form the area. We reached the small town Huluganga just close to 12.00 noon and stopped by the majestic Huluganga Falls, the waterfall which shot in to fame from the mid 80′s Sinhalese tele drama “Ella langa walawwa”. This is easily one of the most powerful waterfalls in our country and the energy and the force of the water is simply amazing. Until recently there haven’t been a proper viewing point but now an observation platform is under constructions close to the falls which will help everyone to have a better and closer look of this gigantic waterfall.

He managed to steel something

Probably a seasonal cascade

The bridge in Huluganga town Huluganga waterfall is just beneath this bridge

A Hindu god and a cow in a kovil in Huluganga town

Huluganga Falls

Powerful and gigantic force

The cascading point taken from the bridge

Then we inquired about a waterfall called Thaliya Wetuna Falls which somewhat resemble the famous St.Clare’s Falls. We had to take a small road from Huluganga town towards an estate called Alakola estate. After travelling around 2-3 kms we could see the waterfall close to the road. Interestingly within 10 minutes we were able to see Huluganga Falls which belongs to Kandy district and Thaliya Wetuna Falls which is part of Matale district. There is a clear path through the tea estates to reach closer to the base of the waterfall but it might take you an additional 1/2 an half or so. Since we were up against the time we skipped going closer and more over we were able to have a full view of the falls from the place where we were.

Alakola estate

Thaliya Wetuna Falls (close up)

Thaliya Wetuna Falls

After spending few minutes enjoying the beauty of Thaliya Wetuna Falls we continued our journey towards Bambarella. Just close to the isolated Bambarella town we could see the splendid looking Jodu Falls. This twin falls also known as Depath Falls as referred by many are documented as identical in height and flows close to each other.

Close to Bambarella

Anyone knows what’s this?

Jodu Falls

The Base close up

As a shower is around we rushed towards Bambarella town to have a look of the Saari Falls where you have to turn left uphill before the town and continue for about 500m. The place where the Saari Falls is located is just out of this world. With the rain and large number of blood suckers we walked close to the base where you find a abandoned wooden house which may have built as the observation platform just near the waterfall.

Saari Falls

The upper most level

The base pool

The abandoned hut

Cannot have a better place than this to build a house

Now it’s time to go to my friends house for overnight stay as we got few calls from them inquiring our whereabouts. We came back from Bambarella on the same route but from Panwila we took Wattegama as we needed to reach Matale. Since we have to pass Wattegama I was keen to visit at least one more waterfall and somehow managed to see Rahas Falls which is located just a couple of kms before Wattegama town on the main road itself. It is in two parts and the upper level is above the bridge on the main road and the lower level is below. Around 6.00 PM we reached my friends house and we got a very warm welcome from his family members.

Rahas Falls – Upper level

Rahas Falls – Lower level

Day 2

Our plan was to pay a visit to some of the little known waterfalls around Matale such as Kumbaloluwa Falls and Wambatuhena Falls in Laggala, Wegala Falls and the popular Hunnas Falls in Elkaduwa and few other more around. But last moment after discussing with my friends family we decided to go Riverston and Sera Falls. It was our first visit to Riverston so was really excited about it. After having a delicious breakfast we said good bye to the family members of my friend and left their place around 9.00 AM.

The journey to Riverston as most of you know is amazingly unforgettable. It took us more than three hours to reach to Sera Falls which is located about 20kms from Ilukkumura town. We stopped by many places on the way enjoying the fascinating views of Knuckles forest reserves and Riverston hills including the legendary Manigala.

Towards Riverston from my friends balcony

Little hut

Scenery

Manigala

Manigala

Towards Pitawala Patana

Pitawala Patana

Sign board of Mini worlds end

Road to heaven

End of the road??

The road to Sera Falls from Ilukkumbura was not in good shape but still manageable even with a small car. The water level was not as we expected specially after the rain but still it had plenty of beauty to satisfy our eyes. We didn’t miss out to go to the small cave which is behind the falls. It was indeed an unforgettable experience as you were able to see a waterfall from behind where it flows is quite amazing. There were few “Nai humbas” or snake houses on the way. As expected we came across a baby cobra on our foot steps from Sera Falls while returning back.

Way to Sera Falls

Rural village life along Thelgamu Oya

Sera Falls side view

Left branch

Sera Falls

Amazing cave experience

Viewing hut from the cave

Path to Sera Falls

While returning from Sera Falls we stopped by Bambarakiri Falls which is located about 5kms before Rattota from Ilukkumbura. We left Matale town around 5.00 PM and reached Wattala just before 10.00 at night after 2 wonderful days of nature experience.

Paddy layers

Transmission tower at top of Riverston

The cycling members

Manigala on the way back

Bambarakiri Falls

And it flows down …

The suspension bridge near Bambarakiri Falls

Take a ways

Hanthane hills on fading light

Thank you

It was one of the dream trip for Dhanushka and myself to Go around Srilanka on our motorcycles. We thought why not call it “Around Srilanka in 80 hours” and to circumnavigate around Srilanka in less than 80 hours.

We decided to leave on 18th February 2012, Dhanushka rode 35 km from Colombo to Negombo and we both left around 11am. The plan was to ride to Jaffna and stop over for the night.

Saturday 11am, Starting point, Negombo

From Puttalam we take B379 to Mannar Via Wilpattu National Park

After riding non-stop for 2.5 hours we reach Puttalam. The ride was smooth with mild traffic. We knew the next 250km ride is going to be a rough one with literally no tar roads.

Entering the wilpattu national park

After the army check point we enter the Wilpattu national park

We had to stop to produce our documents at the army check point. They advised us to leave the forest area before 5pm.

Partially stable bridge as we leave the army check point

Wilpattu National park board

No tar… and gravel road all way long……

Bit of wet land and water buffalos cooling off..

SLTB bus heading towards Puttalam from Mannar

The cloud of dust was so thick we had to stop till it settled

Few houses pop up as we reach the end of the thick Wilpattu forest

We had to ride parallel to keep the dust from the rear wheels getting in our way

The road condition was really bad and some places we had to go at around 10km/h. As we got closer we had to tackle the sand and the bike tires sank almost an inch. After about 3 hours of riding on gravel and sand we joined the Medawachchiya – Manaar road. We sighed after seeing the tarmac and stoped by the Yoda wewa to admire the beauty.

Yoda Wewa. Water level had gone down way below but quite a sight it was

Yoda wewa on the left and the famous rice bowl of Srilanka on the right

We decided to ride 3.5km to manaar take a picture and ride towards Jaffna

So we officially made it to Manaar. We were running out of time and it was around 3pm we had about 102.5km to Jaffna

Enroute to Jaffna Via Pooneryn (A32 road)

At the army check point we were told that the concrete road ends after 10km and till Jaffna the road is still under construction. We wacked the concrete section under 10 minutes and came to another check point after which the road was in bad condition.

Gravel road again…

My license plate came off from the mount after that extremely bumpy ride

Dhanu on top of Sagupitty bridge

We made it to Jaffna around 8pm

The Sagupitty bridge was constructed recently and the we missed the view of the causeway connecting Pooneryn to Jaffna peninsula. The causeway is about 4km and this area should be travelled during the day time to witness the beauty.

After making it to Jaffna we checked at “Jaffna Inns” and the room is clean and the price was also reasonable. We were so tired after the long day and worst part of the journey was the dust. Sneeze and cough settled in and we were slightly worried about our health condition during the rest of the journey.

Day 2

We woke up around 4am and checked out from the inn. After a quick breakfast in the town we set course to Point Pedro, the northern end of Srilanka

An Old Austin parked near the Jaffna Bus stand

Dhanu on Karizma ZMR, day 2, another long ride ahead

Our bikes in front of Jaffna library

After about 30km ride on smooth carpet road we reached the northern tip of Srilanka

This is it northern end of Srilanka, we did it

The road from Jaffna town to Point Petro was a silky smooth road with mild traffic and we managed to cover the stretch in 20 minutes

Iconic lighthouse in the northern tip

Then we ride south via A9 road

We planned to take the Mullative road from Paranthan and head south. When we reached the Paranthan junction cops told us that the roads were under construction and the 40km road takes about 3 hours to cover. Dust from the construction vehicles was so dense and we recalled our previous day on Pooneryn road. We both agreed to drop that route and head towards Vavuniya via A9 road and then head east via Horopothana. The roads were back to tarmac and we were doing decent 70kmph.

En-route to Trincomalee, thick coat of dust on both bikes after our little off-roading

By after noon we were in Trincomalee

After reaching Trincomalee we headed further down and decided to stop over at Pasikuda. Bikes were in tip top condition and I had to oil my bike chains as we had already clocked 500km from start. Dhanu’s Karizma had chain cover and had coped well against the dust and sand

Open road, no cops… could you ask for more

Rented a cabana in Pasikuda

By 4pm we reached Pasikuda and rented a cabana for the night. The beach was walking distance and we called it a day. Till now we had clocked 805km and the next day was the last stage of our journey where we would reach the eastern and southern most point, Sangamankandy and Dondra head respectively.

Day 3

Alarm goes off at 3am and we wake up for the 3rd stage of our adventure. None of the shops were open at that time for even a coffee so without wasting time we set course to Batticaloa. Pasikuda to Batticaloa was only 30km and the smooth tarmac didn’t fail us to hit red line on our machines. We kept around 90kmph and we were the only traffic for next 30km.

Ride was only 20 minutes and we stopped when we saw a coffee shop. The tea served with milk hoppers was heavenly and the energy was back. From Batticaloa we cruised at the normal speed to avoid any incidents and cops.

400km to go home, A4 road longest road in Srilanka

Day breaks, Sangamankandy

Eastern most point in Srilanka, Sangamankandy

Pottuvil…

Through the paddy fields

Pottuvil is one of the beautiful places with the green paddy fields. The view is absolutely stunning.

Acres of paddy fields and the tarmac across it. Pottuvil

Lahugala, Enroute to Siyambalanduwa

Inside Lunugamwehera national park

Hello Big guy….running into a wild elephant

While riding through Lunugamwehera we looked out for wild animals and birds, we didn’t expect the surprise just before exiting the forest. We saw an elephant wandering on the road and from the first look he was very calm and seems to be not bothered by the traffic on the road.

Friendly wild elephant. Close to Sella Kataragama

Passers by fed the elephant with bread, fruits and biscuits and the elephant seemed quite content.

Tissa wewa, Tissamaharama

We made it to Hambantota around 2pm

Dondra head, Southern most point in Srilanka, Matara

Scorching sun was at its peak when we crossed Tissamaharama. We passed Hambantota and Rode non-stop till Dondra head, Matara.

Most iconic Dondra head light house. Matara

This is it, Southern end of Srilanka

Heavy shower near Hikkaduwa

As soon as we passed Galle the sky became dark and started to rain near Hikkaduwa. We were glad it was the last stage and we had covered 90% of our journey. We were so exhausted after two days of riding and wanted to go home as soon as possible.

Weather improved after Aluthgama and traffic became the next concern. It was Monday evening and as we approached Colombo during the peak hours the traffic was the next unbearable thing.

By night we made it to Colombo and After bidding Good bye to Dhanu as Ratmalana I rode the next 40km to Negombo

We clocked 1453km in 72 hours right around Srilanka

It was Ashan’s this report that prompted me to do this trip.

One of my intention of writing this report is to show you the heart breaking current states of the these precious waterfalls. There is nothing attractive in these pictures but you can compare the state of these waterfalls two years ago, with Ashan’s report and the pathetic state of same, today.

We came to Puwakpitiya along Colombo/Avissawella road and turned right towards Thummodara. First stop was Kumari Ella. It’s about 500 meters from main road and it is not possible in a car. We walked the distance and were disappointed with the very first sighting. Some illicit timber sellers has cut down a tree and ran away leaving their portable saw machine.

Left the saw and ran away

The cry of upper part of Kumari Ella

Base pool of Kumari Ella

Lower part of Kumari Ella

Then we proceeded about another five kilo meters along the same route towards Thummodara to the next water fall, Ella uda Ella and it was another sad story.

Upper part of Ella Uda Ella mostly the rock and less water

Lower part and the base pool

From there we proceeded another three Kilometers and turned to ‘Halpe Group’. This is a rubber estate and you can drive up to the water fall, Ran Mudu Ella

Dried off Ran Mudu Ella, just a string of wate

Driving another two KM we came to Thummodara Junction and turned left towards Labugama and first to meet was the Thummodara bridge. A hefty looking bridge was just enough you to get through.

Slowly creeping through

From there we went in search of Dambora Ella. It’s on the road to Ayr estate

Poorly looking Dambora Ella

I was not sure whether it was the real Dambora Ella although the locals directed me to this place.

After a disappointed half day tour we proceeded to Kalatuwawa and Labugama reservoirs, just 5 KM away from Thummodara.

These two reservoirs are located in a picturesque hilly wet zone rainforest. This virgin forest is many thousand years old and some parts of it almost completely untouched by humans and with an annual rainfall of about 4000 mm, it brings the uncorrupted clean water to the reservoirs.

Colombo District is supplied with safe drinking water by three reservoirs namely Ambathaley, Kalatuwawa and Labugama. Labugama, Today boasts an output of 10 million gallons per day while Kalatuwawa which is situated three KM away has a bigger output of 20 million gallons per day. These purification plants are doing a tremendous work to provide safe drinking water.

Safe water for drinking means that it

• Does not contain any disease causing organisms
• Does not contain chemicals hazardous to human health
• Water is clear, colorless, tasteless and odorless
• It does not stain or get precipitated.

Kalatuwawa and Labugama plants receive water under gravity and there are five steps of water purification.

1.  ’Aeration process’ – air (oxygen) is introduced into water and the taste, colour and odour causing substances and gases are removed.
2. Second step is addition of chemicals, when chemicals are added to water it reacts with soil, clay particles, microorganisms and other substances. These particles associate with similar particles to form big flocks and when it is heavy sink to the bottom with resulting clear water at the top.
3.  Third step is known as ‘Sedimentation process’ – clear water that is found at the surface of the tank is separated from the sediments and sent into the sand filters through a network of channels.
4. Fourth step is ‘Filtration’ – water is filtered through the rapid gravity sand filters.
5. Final step is ‘Disinfection’ – where they use chlorine gas to disinfect water, but they add another chemical to water, which is lime that prevents corrosion of the distribution lines.

Entrance to Kalatuwawa reservoir

Kalatuwawa reservoir – surrounded with virgin forest

Spillway of Kalatuwawa

Water purification plant at Kalatuwawa

From Kalatuwawa we came to Labugama reservoir which is only 3 KM away.

The foot step to the Labugama dam starts with an ancient moonstone although it has no historical back ground. Nobody knows how it came there. This Moonstone is believed to be the only Moonstone at a non-religious place

Moonstone at the beginning of footsteps

Labugama reservoir

Sediments – separated from clear water

Rapid gravity sand filters

Quote

“Though three fourth of the world is covered with water, less than 1% is available for human use. Even this water is polluted by the activities of man and animals. Therefore in future, to obtain safe drinking water a large sum of money will be needed. If you protect your water resources and use only what is required there would be enough water to all even for future generations. Remember, we enjoy today the water resources protected & conserved by our Great, great grandfathers. “

After a full day tour with ‘Water’ we came to Serenity Leisure Village for the night stay. This place is comparatively very cheap and the place is very well maintained.

Entrance to Serenity Village

We stayed in a family room which can accommodate five easily. It’s a two story non A/C room with attached bathroom, H/C water, fans, TV and telephone. There are two swimming pools and ample places for outdoor games.

Ground floor of the room

Upper floor

Next day on our way back we dropped at another place which is unknown to most of us. This is Ayr Bungalow situated in Ayr estate. Locals call this ‘Gal Bangalawa’ (ගල් බන්ගලාව). This place is also known as the “Tajmahal of Sri Lanka.” This is about 8 KM from Thummodara towards Padukka.

Thummodara/Padukka road well paved and surrounded with lush greenery

The story of Ayr bungalow is romantic. Arley Elford, a planter who was the superintendent of this rubber estate had married a Scottish girl from a wealthy family. When they came to the bungalow in Ayr estate, his bride was disappointed with his humble dwelling. She had told him to build a castle for her and returned back to her native Scotland. It then became Elford’s dream to build a house worthy of her and so began the construction of this bungalow in 1922.

He built this bungalow, which is a majestic replica of a Scottish castle, on a mountain top. It was carved out of granite bricks with double layer walls and two walls were filled in-between with sand to keep the house cool. He has taken nine years to finish this house and by that time his wife tired of waiting had gone off with another. He was using estate labours to built this house and his employers in England came to know about this colossal waste of time, money and labor and terminated his job. Ultimately, Elford lost his job, this lovely bungalow and also his loving wife. Heartbroken Arley Elford left Ceylon for United Kingdom, leaving his legacy of love.

Taj Mahal of Sril lanka (Ayr Bungalow) ගල් බන්ගලාව

Solid blocks of granite bricks

This spacious, airy bungalow has now been acquired and restored by Pussellawa Plantation Ltd to a fair extent (with a swimming pool) and is now open to visitors looking for a plantation holiday of quiet walks and solitude. There are four large rooms with attached bathrooms with H/C water and equipped with air-conditioning. Each room has its own sprawling balcony affording views of the surrounding countryside.

View from the upper floor. Note the swimming pool

The bedrooms are large and airy. You can bring your provisions and get them to cook.

If you wish you can also get meals from them and it will cost around 400/= for a meal.

This place is good for an office day out also.

Reservation:

Tel :011 7990000 / Ext 127

Mobile : 0777 774738

Pussellawa Plantations Ltd

No.168, Negombo Road,

Peliyagoda,

Charges:

Rs.22,500/- per night, entire bungalow. Maximum of 16 pax. – Accommodation only

Day 1
We started the journey on 28th early morning at around 3.00 am. We reached Mahiyanganaya at around 11.00 am. Next, we visited was Maha Oya hot water springs where we had a bath.

Mahiyangana Stupa

Senanayake Samudra

We reached Ampara around 1.00 pm. We had to pick our two friends from Dayata Kirula exhibition stall. Therefore, we spent 1 or 2 hours visiting the exhibition. Next, 8 of us went to the friend’s place where we were spending the night. It was extremely very difficult to book a hotel or a government circuit bungalow as it was the Dayata Kirula exhibition period.

While on the way to the friend’s house, we stopped for a while near Senanayake Samudra. It was around 5.00 pm when we reached the house. Since, everyone was tired due to long journey and the hot weather, we decided to have a rest even though we had ample time to travel more.

Day 2

We started our journey for the day around 6.00 am and we prepared and took the breakfast with us. The first place we were planning to visit was Deegawapee stupa.

We reached there around 7.00 am.

There were interesting paintings in the shrine rooms which describes the history of the Deedawapee Stupa.

Deedawapee Stupa

Shrine room

Click Image to Enlarge

A picture which describes how a monk fallen from the stupa while the stupa is being constructed, was saved due to the power of Dhajagga Soothra – Click Image to Enlarge

On our way to Deegawapeeya, we saw crocodiles having sun bath on a tiny island on a small lake. As we stopped our vehicle to get some photographs of them, they slowly slipped away into the water.

Next, we visited Deegawapee Pariwara Stupa. You have to travel in the same road towards Ampara a small distance and turn to another road to reach this place. This stupa is located on a small rock.

Deegawapee Pariwara Stupa

Deegawapee Pariwara Stupa

Deegawapee Pariwara Stupa

View from the summit of the rock

View from the summit of the rock

3 different stages of Sugar cane cultivation

After having our breakfast, we set off to Buduruwagala. Again, it was a temple on a small rock. Since, these days the climate was very sunny and very hot, it’s difficult to walk with bare feet even it was just around 9.00 am. So, we felt that if we could reached there little earlier, it would have being better.

Buduruwagala rock

Tortise in the pond

Eagle trying to attack fish in the little pond on the rock

Skeleton of a tusker

Click Image to Enlarge

After that, we set off to Monaragala.

It was around 2.00 pm when reached Monaragala. Lunch was ready at the circuit bungalow and we were so tired as the weather is very, very hot. We gobbled the food in no time.

After having a small break, at around 4.00 pm we decided to visit Maligawila and Dematamal Viharaya.

First we visited Maligawila. There are two important places at Maligawila, Lord Budda Statue and Statue of Avalokeswara Boddhi Sathva.

Maligavila bear archaeological sites – Click Image to Enlarge

Click Image to Enlarge

Lord Budda Statue

Statue of Avalokeswara Boddhi Sathva

Dambegoda Pillar Inscrption

Click Image to Enlarge

Next, we visited Dematamal Viharaya. The name Dematamal Viharaya derives from ‘Dutu Mal Viharaya’. The legend says, after a small battle with King Dutugamunu, his youger brother Prince Tissa has seek protection from Sanga by arriving this temple. The chief Sanga, has asked the prince to hide under the bed.

Dematamal Viharaya

King Dutugamunu has suspected that his brother is in temple and has come to meet Sanga. When he inquired the monk about his brother, the monk has replied, Tissa Adehi Natha- Tissa is not on the bed.

The king has understood that this means, even though brother is not on bed, he might be under the bed. While worshipping the monk, he has bend, looked at under the bed and verified that he is there.

The king then ordered his men to guard outside the temple premises. The chief monk understanding that, Tissa won’t be ever able to leave temple premises in this condition, requested four monks to carry Tissa, pretending to carry an expired body of a monk.

King understanding it is Tissa, not a dead body of a monk, said ‘Tissa, Sangun Pita Noyaw”. Anyway, later the dispute between the two brothers was resolved by the guidance from Sanga.

Day 3

The last day of the trip, we left the circuit sharp at 6.00 am. First place we wanted to visit was Yudaganawa.

Yuduganawa Stupa

Chulangani Stupa

Yudaganawa is another place related with King Dutugamunu.

It is said that, Prince Gamunu went to hide in Digamadulla after a dispute with his father, King Kavanthissa. The dispute was the old king’s reluctance to fight with King Elara. After several years, King Kavanthissa expired and Prince Tissa came to throne.

Prince Gamunu received this news and requested his brother to give him the tusker Kandula and Mother Queen which are essential to be the inheritance of the throne. Since, Prince Tissa rejected the request; Prince Gamunu has no other option but to fight with his brother.

In earlier battles Tissa won against Gamunu as he was powerful due to his large royal army. Therefore, Gamunu had to be tricky to win the fight. In a battle at Yudaganawa, Prince Gamunu on his horse-back jumped across Tusker Kandula. The tusker feeling ashamed of the person who is handling him, threw Tissa down. Thus, Prince Gamunu came to throne.

It is also said that King Dutugamunu started the war against Elara from this place.

Buduruwagala

A hole in the rock with a shape of a flame

Ruins in Buduruwagala area

After that, we set off to Buduruwagala. The way to budurugawala was very beautiful. The path set across a beautiful village, along paddy fields and next a small jungle with lakes blossomed with red lilies.

It’s a really beautiful sight and we as travelers need to keep in mind not to harm its beauty.

Way to Buduruwagala Ruins

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Way to Buduruwagala Ruins

On the way, we saw Udawalawe tank and I could capture few photos.

We reached Ratnapura at around 12.00 pm. We decided to have lunch near Saman Deewalaya.

Udawalawe Tank and we can see a waterfall in a very far mountain range

Saman Dewalaya

Sankapala Vihalaya

On the way someone suggested us to visit another temple, Sankapala Vihalaya where one of King Dutugamunu’s giant men was later meditated as a monk.

A ape family – son, mum and dad @ the temple

We reached Colombo around 3.00 pm. I forget to mention, on 28th night, one of crew who was at Ampara, had seen this moon ring (220 moon halo) which is called ‘Chadra Mandala’ in Sinhala. This a very rare occasion as I know, since full moon and humidity of atmosphere is required for this phenomenon to occur

moon ring – ‘chandra Mandalaya’

There are plenty of scenic roads around Sri Lanka offering breathtaking views intersecting different landscapes. This was such a “photo journey” along three scenic roads offering unique views where Hambegamuwa – Welioya – Kaltota through Paddy centered low country dry/intermediate zone, Balangoda – Bogawantalawa – Norwood through Tea centered mid/up country, Dickoya – Delhouse through Tea centered up country reservoir banks. Diversions on the way to see some cascading beauties were icing on the cake.

We started around 5.30 am from Tissamaharama and moved towards Tanamalwila. From there we took the left turn to Uda Walawe road. Travelling few kms along this road there is a sign board for the turn off at Bodagama indicating it is 40 km to Welioya. We avoided this turn off as it was early in the morning and driving through this isolated road through the jungle is an unnecessary risk. Hence we proceeded further up to 17½ kanuwa junction and then took the right turn towards Hambegamuwa/Welioya. This road connects to the road coming from the previous turn off after few kms.

This road is running through a famous Elephant corridor named Galkatukanda located between 17½ kanuwa junction and Balaharuwa junction. This stretch is through the jungle and possibility of meeting an Elephant is very high. So in this area, jungle is cleared up to 15-20m either side of the road.

Since it was early morning there were no vehicles coming from that area to inquire about Elephants but we slowly kept on moving forward. Fortunately a small bus came towards us. As the driver confirmed that there are no Elephants, we hurried up and very watchfully crossed Galkatukanda.

We reached the first landmark of the day, Balaharuwa junction. Road coming from Kuda oya (A2) is connecting Hambegamuwa/Welioya road here. Road we came so far was narrow, bumpy and badly washed away at many places. We had to travel very slow and drive carefully to prevent rocks and ridges hitting underneath.

Balaharuwa junction

After having a look around and having a chat with the shop owner there, we started moving towards Hambegamuwa. Road condition improved a little but was still a testing time.

Reaching Hambegamuwa. Point of satisfaction after an extreme drive. But this is about Police area. Town may be miles away

Hambegamuwa

Hambegamuwa school. Happy to see these rural people have been gifted with modern infrastructure

Hambegamuwa town

Another morning to Hambegamuwa. Town has not come live yet

At Hambegamuwa we did not forget to witness the morning beauty of Hambegamuwa wewa. At Hambegamuwa town there is a narrow concrete road towards right which is leading to Hambegamuwa wewa. It is just a walk of around 500m. It was indeed a lovely sight.

Concrete road leading to Hambegamuwa wewa

It was early morning

Green touched water

Jungle on water

Mirror

After enjoying the scenery there, we started moving forward in search of a relaxing place to have our breakfast. After a few minutes’ drive we found a nice shade close to a water body.

The bonnet breakfast

Then we started moving towards Welioya where we witnessed most eye catching “on the way” scenery. There were several water bodies full of Olu mal. Endless lush green paddy fields with mountains at the back drop were a wonderful sight which cannot be expressed by words and pictures

Green all round

What a scenery…

Hut under shade

Endless…

Up to the mountain range…

Wow

Olu pipeela wila leladenawa…

Beautiful…

Another milestone

Welioya town

It was a drive through relaxing greenish landscapes blended with irrigation channels, water bodies, structures like Sapattu palam, etc. all the way up to Kaltota.

Conveying life

Sapattu palam are the means to cross many waterways

What a ride

Huge trees by the road. Villager said this is “Panu Muguna”

Famous Kaltota Sapattu palama

Welcome

From Kaltota we took Balangoda road and after 2 km we took the right turn to see Kaltota Duwili falls. It is a 3.3 Km travel along a paved road but there were 4-5 damaged segments where it was difficult for the car to tackle.

Road which motorbike comes is Balangoda road. Other one is towards Budugala ruins.

Road to Kaltota Duwili falls

Road closed. She is there to issue tickets and open the way.

Unmatched Duwili falls of Kaltota

Coloured by the rainbow

Front view. But I like the unique side view most.

Duwili duwili doowiliii…

Full flow

Leak of Samanalawewa reservoir is a blessing

View from Kaltota – Balangoda road

If I was a bird…

Then we rushed to Balangoda and had lunch there. We started from 17½ kanuwa junction at 6.00 am and managed to reach Balangoda by 1.45 pm with plenty of stops to enjoy the endless scenery and slow driving along rough bumpy road. It has 39km from 17½ kanuwa junction to Kaltota and 28 km from Kltota to Balangoda.

After lunch we were ready for the second scenic drive of the day which was Balangoda-Bogawantalawa-Norwood and it was 2.30 pm when we turned on to Balangoda-Bogawantalawa road. Journey started without much scenery at the initial segment but scenic Dethanagala was moving around us changing the view creating a magnificent sight.

Interchange of the “drive thru”, Balangoda

Directions

Dethanagala kissed by mist

Turning around

Green all round

After passing the village Pinnawala, Dethanagala started unveiling the cascading beauty from her shaulder, Gerandi ella. A drizzle started blocking the view but we stayed until it settled to get some sort of a clear view.

Gerandi ella

Maximum my lens could reach

After Pinnawala, it was the endless view of lush green Tea plantations. The road was narrow, rough and bumpy. But not much pot holes or heavily damaged areas. Only thing is, as we were travelling in a car with low ground clearance, very rarely we could speed up beyond 25km/h and had to reverse even for in coming three wheelers.

It was a fantastic ride all the way through the Tea plantations offering magical views.

Here onwards it is all about tea

Dethanagala in another pose

Crates to transport tea!! Happy to see they are adopting best practice to meet quality standards.

Busy day

Dressed in blues

Art

It is Tea…

Into a forest patch again

Colourful

Submerged in mist

Roadside decorated by many of these

Through pines

Unusual blend of colours. Someone has set fire!

Artistic but not natural

Vantage point by the road

The view

Crossing the boundary – Click Image to Enlarge

What a place to live

Vegetables under the patronage of scarecrow

And it winds…

How to make up mind to leave here

Scenery

Endless…

Fresh Tea shoots

Further decorations

Reaching the final landmark

It was 6.30 pm when we reached Bogawantalawa and around 7.30 we managed to end the day at Upper Glencairn bungalow, Dickoya.

On the next morning it was the beginning of another scenic drive from Dickoya to Delhouse through Tea plantations along the banks of Castlereah and Maussakele reservoirs. It was 8.00 am when we stared from Dickoya and was around 9.00 am when we reached Delhouse.

On the way by Maussakelle reservoir

Maussakelle dam

Sacred mountain on the rise

From Delhouse police check point (About 500m before Delhouse, along Maskeliya – Delhouse road) there is a turn off towards left, to Moray estate. This is the turn off towards Fishing Huts and plenty of direction boards available. Only thing is this road is running downwards and from the main road you do not see it properly. We took this road to see the two famous cascading beauties, Adams peak falls and Moray falls.

It was a typical estate road and it was in very bad shape for a car. Anyhow, my “4 wheel drive” tackled the road and took us up to the turn off to Moray Tea factory. It took 45 minutes to travel that 3 km. After parking the car there, we started walking up to the factory which was 900m away as I did not want to get the car damaged. A car with good ground clearance would have made it up to the factory. Turn off to Fishing huts is located on the way and from there onwards only 4WD is allowed.

The road “condition”

Place where I parked the car. Further up straight will take you to Tea factory.

The hut at the junction

Road from junction to Tea factory

On the way. Right turn and 7 more km will take you to Fishing Huts. Keep moving straight to reach the factory.

This is the Fishing hut road. Only 4WD allowed beyond this point.

The common estate cruiser

From the factory, there are two concrete roads starting and the one leading downwards should be taken (Downwards at the start but ascending as it continues). Walking along this, there is a sharp bend towards right where a path closed by a gate could be seen towards left at the bend. We have to walk through the gate and a guard took down our names and vehicle number. After a short walk, the beautiful Adams peak falls could be observed. It was indeed a lovely sight.

Moray Tea factory

The sharp bend of the concrete road. Have to take the path which this lady is going, and should enter through the gate to see the waterfalls.

Beautiful Adams peak falls

Breathtaking

Directly falls to Maussakelle reservoir

To reach Moray falls there we have to walk further along the path. A small nameless waterfall too could be seen on the way. The path becomes narrow towards the end. End of this path opens door to this beauty.

The path

Reduced to this shortly

Nameless waterfall met on the way

The grand Moray falls. This too directly falls to Maussakelle reservoir.

Middle segment

Although hours passed by, we could not change our mindset to leave these magnificent creations of the nature. At the end, we turned back with the intention of spending some good time by the road side beauty, Mohini falls.

Mohini falls

Diversion

Plunging down

It was evening when we reached the bungalow at Dickoya and we have not even had our lunch. But the minds were full of happy memories all along.

During this journey I needed to visit at places in Warakapola-Karawanaella, Galapitamada-Nelundeniya and Ruwanwella-Galigamuwa roads. Ancient Seethawaka kingdom was situated over this area. Although I had a tight schedule before the journey, the evening shower ruined some of my plans. Somehow I was able to visit at following places.

Day-1

1. Dorawaka pre historical cave (දොරවක ලෙන)
2. Pethangoda garden (පෙතන්ගොඩ උයන) and Wangedi-Molgas Ella (වන්ගෙඩි මෝල්ගස් ඇල්ල)
3. Manikkadawara ancient Tampiti temple (මැණික්කඩවර ටැම්පිටි විහාරය) and remaining of Portuguese castle
4. Holombuwa Sthreepura cave temple (හොලොම්බුව ස්ත්රීකපුර විහාරය)
5. Dadigama Kotawehera (දැදිගම කොට වෙහෙර), archeology museum and Dadigama temple

Day-2

1. Brandi Kovil (බ්රැදන්ඩි කෝවිල)
2. Tomb of King Rajasingha (රාජසිoහ සොහොන)
3. Ancient Britain Castle of Ruwanwella
4. Palngamuwa suspension bridge (පාලම්ගමුව සoගිලි පාලම) and Hakurugala cave temple (හකුරුගල රජමහා විහාරය)
5. Manella waterfall (මානැල්ල)

Places of visit – Black star = Dorawaka cave, Purple star = Pethangoda garden, Red star = Manikkadawara temple, Brown star = Holombuwa temple, Green star = Dadigama. Orange star = Britain castle, Yellow star = Palangamuwa Bridge, Blue star = Manella fall – Click Map to Enlarge

Places of visit – Black star = Brandi kovil, Red star = Rajasingha tomb – Click Image to Enlarge

Dorawaka pre historical cave

Importance of this cave is it has about 30 sketch drawings belonging to pre historical era.

You have to get Madeniya (මාදෙනිය) bus from Warakapola town. (Alternative bus is Warakapola-Ruwanwella bus and has to get a three-wheeler from the junction where Madeniya road starts). If you tell the conductor or driver they will drop you in front of the road towards the cave. Actually this road starts in front of a boutique. Then you have to walk about 2km, initially it is a concrete road and later it becomes a footpath way within a rubber estate. Vehicles can be driven to a certain extent.

It likes an inverted ‘V’ shape. 82 feet long, 55feet high.

Drawings were numbered by the archeology department

Brahmin letters and symbols belong to pre-historical period

Belongs to B.C 8-10

Sketch of a Tusker

If you need a closer view of letters and drawings, have to jump over this fence

Newly built Kuti

Following the cave we walked back to the main road and got the bus towards Pethangoda. (First have to go to the junction where Madeniya road meets Karawanalla road and then Karawanalla/Ruwanwella bus).

Pethangoda garden

You have to get your turn to left side on the Warakapola-Karawanalla road at Pethangoda to watch Pethangoda Bamboo bushes.

The ancient road from Seethawaka kingdom to Central kingdom was situated close to this garden and people were used to rest at this garden on their way.

Following the war with King Wimaladarmasooriya, King I Rajasingha (Seethawaka Rajasingha) came to get a rest here on his way back to the Kingdom. His leg has been pierced by a bamboo thorn and it was enough to kill the King.

Nowadays you can see only two bamboo bushes here. The lake in front of the garden is now covered with plants. Ancient garden was large about 42arches.

There are other stories also behind the death of King Rajasingha. While the king was walking in the garden he was bitten by a cobra and king was unconsciousness due to snake venom. Then he was brought to the Seethawaka kingdom by a boat. Near the Anguruwalla, king’s feet became black. (Gangrenous.) Further down the river, king wanted to step down the boat and he became limp once he stepped on the bank. That area is called Karawanalla. (Korauna walla->Karawanalla)

කොරවුන+ වැල්ල-> කරවනැල්ල

The place where king’s feet became black now called Anguruwalla.

අගුරු වුන+වැල්ල->අගුරු වැල්ල

Warning – Click Image to Enlarge

Historical information – Click Image to Enlarge

Two bamboo bushes

Bamboo thorns

Ancient lake now covered with plants

Then we preceded our journey towards a nearby waterfall called Wangedi-Molgas Ella. (Actually it is a small water stream). This name is due to a piece of rock likes a “Molgaha” and bathing pool likes a “Wangedi”. You have to walk about 2km from Pethangoda garden towards this waterfall.

So called Molgaha

Bathing pool-Wangediya

After having a bath at this water stream we came back to Pethangoda and got a bus towards Galapitamada. The time was around 2pm and we had to satisfy from bread for our lunch at Galapitamada town.

Then we took the Kegalle bus from Galapitamada and got down at Manikkadawara junction (less buses in this road compared to Warakapola-Ruwanwella road).The archeology board shows the direction towards the temple and distance was 2km from Manikkadawara junction.

Manikkadawara Temple

• It has three importance.
• Ancient Tampiti Temple-Belongs to Kandyan era.
• Paintings of this Tampiti temple. One of them shows a Sinhala king is eating by spoon and fork.
• The Bo tree. This is the one mention in famous poetry called Thisara sandeshaya. (තිසර සන්දේශය)

Tampiti Temple.-now under renovation. Therefore unable to watch paintings

Temple is on 14 stone pillars

The Bo tree

When you cross the road from the temple, you can visit at remaining of Old Portuguese castle. Nowadays you can see star shaped basement only.

Star shaped castle

Then we came to Thunthota (තුoතොට) junction and got a three-wheeler to Holombuwa to visit Sthreepura temple.

Holombuwa Sthreepura cave temple.

This is one of an interesting place I have visited.

.	Historical information – Click Image to Enlarge

Nice arch over the temple

The door with paintings

Small pagoda within the image house

Roof paintings

Perennial pond

Then we walked about 3km towards the Dadigama (Road on the other side of the temple connects to Dadigama.) It was scenic in the evening.

Another evening to Dadigama

Dadigama has three importance.

• Kotawehera
• Archeology museum
• Dadigama ancient temple

Kotawehera

This was built by King I Parakramabahu (1153-1186) at his birth town Dadigama. This pagoda doesn’t have a Pinnacle. Only has three basal rings and dome.

Height is 47feet and top is 26000square feet large

There is a small stupa inside this large stupa

Number of antiques were excavated from this archeology site and now kept at Archeology museum of Dadigama.

The brass elephant oil lamps and gold plated Samadhi Buddha statue can’t be seen there. They are kept at National museum Colombo.

.

As it was around 5pm we couldn’t visit at archeology museum at Dadigama. (Archeology museum opens from 8am to 4pm) Then we came back to Colombo.

Day 2

Second day I started my journey from Awissawella and preceded from there towards Ruwanella. Before Thalduwa junction, the archeology board can be seen in right hand side towards the Brandy kovil.

Brandy kovil

The great king Rajasingha (The last king who has brought the Sri Lanka to one canopy in 16th century.) has built this kovil under instructions of “Aretha keewendu Perumal”(අරිඨ්ඨ කී වෙන්ඩු පෙරුමාල්). This was built as seven stories building to worship devil Kala or god Shiva. Rajasingha I has killed his father and later worried about it. The person Aretha Keewndu came from India and instructed the king the only way to come out of the sin is to build a Kovil by diverting the Seethawaka River.

Later Portuguese have destroyed it.

Now we can only observe the basement of this building. This land is boarded by Seethawaka River from three sides.

Brandy Kovil with it’s entrance

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Following Brandy kovil, we walked towards Thalduwa junction. Our next place of visit was tomb of Rajasingha I. you have to go in Gurugalla road about 2km to reach there.

Tomb of King Rajasingha I

Remaining of the tomb

Historical information – Click Image to Enlarge

Then we came back to Thalduwa junction and got the bus to Ruwanwalla.

Ancient Britain Castle of Ruwanwella

This is situated in the right middle of the Ruwanwella town. Nowadays Ruwanwalla police is situated in the castle. I first spoke to the receptionist of the Police and she was kind enough to show remaining of the castle after getting permission.

Entrance of the castle

The year is 1817

The wall

This part of the building is also belonging to old castle

Due to historical values of the castle, police can’t do new constructions here. Therefore they have planned to shift the police to somewhere else.

Palangamuwa suspension bridge

You have to walk towards the Ruwanwella ground to visit at suspension bridge. This was built few years ago it is 555feet long and considered as the longest suspension bridge of Sri Lanka.

Longest suspension bridge of Sri Lanka

The Kelani River meets Gurugoda oya

This is their bread and butter

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We crossed the bridge and got a three-wheeler to the nearby cave temple called Hakurugala temple.

Hakurugala cave temple

This is considered as a creation of King Rajasingha I. On the way to Hakurugala temple, you can see another rock called “Biso Panna Gala”. බිසෝ පැන්න ගල

Before go to the war, one of the King has told to his seven queens, if he win the war a white flag would be waved otherwise a black flag would be seen. Although he won the war, the person who waved the flag showed the wrong one. Seven queens realized the king has lost the war and suicide by jumping from this rock. Now it is called as Biso Panna Gala.

Biso Panna Gala

The rock where the cave temple is situated is contact with the ground by only limited area. But the nature has kept this rock like that for a longtime without rolling down.

Hakurugala cave temple

Note this rock touches the ground only by limited area. This is the side view

In some areas you can see the other side

Not like other cave temples. Other side of the rock is also a cave. Therefore you can walk around the rock

The water flows down from Hakurugala is having high density

Image house is under construction

Drip ledge

The person who worked at temple was kind enough to tell all these information as the priest was not at temple at that time. You can have a panorama view from the top of the rock but we didn’t try to climb it.

Manella waterfall

To reach Manella waterfall you have to take Kegalle bus from Ruwanwella and get down at Liyangahamula.(ලියන්ගහ මුල) From there you have to cross the bridge and walk towards Patti pelpita(පට්ටි පැල්පිට)about 2-3km. This bridge was built few years ago and villagers used the ferry to cross Gurugoda oya (ගුරුගොඩ ඔය) before that. If you come from Warakapola, there is a direct bus towards Weragala (වේරගල) to reach Manella fall.

Newly built bridge over the Gurugoda Oya

Gurugoda Oya flows. It is a branch of Kelani River

Main road and foot pathway towards Manaella. It is not difficult to find the waterfall

Maha Manella (මහා මානැල්ල) waterfall. 20m height. Villagers believe the God Manella stays here and named this waterfall by his name

This waterfall has two parts as Maha Manella and Kuda Manella. ( කුඩා මානැල්ල)

Kuda Manalla. 6m height

Going through bamboo bushes to climb the waterfall

Puhuwala ela flows to make Manella fall

Friends who came to visit at waterfall

After having a bath at Kuda Manella we finished the day. There are some more places belong to Seethawaka kingdom to be visited. Will see later

Thanks for reading

We wanted to do a complete Jaffna tour within three days. Before plan this trip I read Sri’s Jaffna and Delft report (The Land of Horses-Delft & re-awakening Jaffna) which was the most recent updates of Jaffna in Lakdasun especially about Delft Island. Then I went through Kristy’s reports of Jaffna (Jaffna-Micro Attractions and which gives a good idea about rare places there. Zoysa’s Jaffna report (On the A9 Road to Jaffna 2010) also helped me to know about Vallipuram and VVT. I knew about Fort Hammenheil from Chandanie’s report (Fort Hammenheil-a prison in the middle of the ocean)
We (I and Wuminda) got into Thinakaran bus from in front of Lake House carrying so many plans with our bags. Journey to Jaffna by this but is bit slow as it stops at about 20-30places from Vavniya to Jaffna to throw their news papers. We reached the Jaffna private bus stand around 7.30am and Ashan has come there before us. After having breakfast we walked towards Udayan rest with help of our Google map. We were warmly welcome by Mr. Ravi the owner of the rest. By 9am we were able to start our journey by the three wheel.

Day 1
Our three wheel driver (Nathan) had a poor knowledge outside the city. Therefore he haphazardly brought us to these places. Then we started to direct him as we were knowledgeable than him.

Naguleshwarn Kandasamy Kovil and Keeramale Herbal Pond

Entrance of Naguleshwaran Kovil –one of four Shiva kovilas located at four corners of the country

Importance of the Kovil – Click Image to Enlarge

Framed picture

Only Shiva Kovil is having male lingam on female lingam-Photo by Ashan

The way towards Keeramale herbal pond

Then we stepped towards Keeramale Herbal pond which was nearby.

Keeramale Herbal pond

Keeramale beach

View of Kanakasanthurai (KKS) from Keeramale

Dambakolapatuna is situated few kilometers away from the Keeramale. Our next stop was that.

 Dambakolapatuna

Although they haven’t found any ruins here, according to the literature this place has been identified as Dambakolapatuna.

.	We should not forget

Location of Dambakolapatuna

Dambakolapatuna beach

Statue of Sangamiththa therani

Replica of the ship

Stupa

Once we finished visiting there I got a call for getting permission to visit at Kanakasanthurai cement factory (KKS). I planned to get the permission to visit there and it was on the way.

Kankasanthurai cement factory (KKS)

No further cement production done here and it is having historical value only. Sri Lanka Army uses this place to put their ammunition now. We had a warm welcome there and we were given an army soldier to show the factory.

Old administrative building

The cement factory

Familiar symbol in those days

Still strong

Hanging down

Remains of Old Yaldewi train in the factory

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Few train compartments belong to last Yaldewi train (before the war) can be seen about 1km away from the KKS factory. We went there also and photography was not allowed there.

After thanking them we moved to Kadurugoda/Kandarodai temple.

Kadurugoda temple