Kaluthara-Baduraliya – 01 – Pahiyangala & Athwalthota – 18th & 19th of April 2015

 Pahiyangala on 18th April 2015

Baduraliya, a small town in Kaluthara District is where I have my roots. This area is in the wet zone and has tropical rain-forest climate. It’s boarding to Sinharaja rain-forest thereby it's rich in nature. Economy of the area is mainly on cultivation of tea and rubber. Baduraliya is called Palinda Nuwara in colonial era. King Veediya Bandara established “Palinda Nuwara” in Portuguese time and fought against them. It is believed that this area was one of the early inhabited places in Sri Lanka. Being close to Pahiyangala, provides strong evidence to prove that fact. 
  

This Sinhala New Year (2015) was very special to me, where I planned to explore the area, had this in my mind I went "Game", discussed with others and visited Pahiyangala Cave in Bulathsinhala, which is 26kms away from Baduraliya. 

Pahiyangala is situated in Village of Yatagampitiya. We reached Pahiyangala via Lathpadura from Molkawa-Bulathsinhala road. The cave is in a large rock, supposed to be the largest natural cave rock in Sri Lanka. This place is one of the oldest pre-historic human settlements about 37,000 years to 4500 years ago. Pahingala, the name derived from famous Chinese traveler Monk Fa-Hien, who was believed to be visited and stayed in this cave on his way to Adam’s Peak (Sri Padaya). 

It was a steep path to the cave, stones which made the path were all covered with moss, we moved quickly due to time constrain. Place was not much crowded, which perfectly fit for me. Path goes to the Cave is through a small jungle patch.There were several Kithul trees noted and for the first time I saw an “Ati Kehel” tree as well.

 

We took about 15 minutes climb to the cave complex. It was amazing and unbelievable creation of the nature, cave shelter can accommodate large gathering, was a perfect place for early inhabitants. I was told that about 3,000 people can be easily stay under the natural shelter.  Its dimensions are 160ft tall and 150ft wide. This complex consists of Archaeological Excavation site and a Buddhist Shrine. Original floor of the cave is 40 ft down and digging were done mostly in the center of the cave. The monk was in the temple explained the importance of the place, where human skulls were found by Archaeologists are set to be one of the oldest findings on earth in prehistoric era. The Shrine in the Cave was made about 450 years ago and has a statute of Lord Buddha and few old murals.

 

 

A collection of skulls and vertebras were found in this cave. All human findings were sent to store properly and few animal bones were available at the site. Small hunting tools and stones used to make fire were also found in the cave. Further it was told that this place had been used by hundreds and thousands of years by early inhabitants. 

After spending about an hour there, we slowly climbed down to have a bath in Nikgaha Ela, which was closer by. Since Sumathi Bappa works in Bulathsinhala Police Station (2015), got a known place to him, which was very private. Had a bath till getting dark. So Day was spent meaningfully and enjoyably.    

 

Athwalthota on 19th April

Next day, I planned to visit Athwalthota side. Athwalthota is on the Mathugama-Kalawana Road, about 4 to 5 kms from Baduraliya to Kalawana side. Idea was proposed to Chamara and proceeded in his bike. My target was to visit Athwalthota Ella (Also known as Pilithuda Ella). Its on the road itself few hundred meters before Athwalthota Junction.  

 

After enjoyed the beauty of her, we drove up to Athwalthota Junction, a board “Rusigala Arannaya” was seen in the Junction and decided to visit it. It was on the right side from the Athwalthota Junction and need to go 5kms interior. Road was narrow, first 1km was carpeted but going further road was getting rough and filled up with mud and rocks. Scenery was amazing, like we were stepping into another world.   

There were couple of water streams flowed over the road, water was cold and pure. We heard a sound of a waterfall, but not seen clearly from the road, my camera was also not so sophisticated to zoom, probably would have been much beautiful than the Athwalthota Fall.  Even its 5kms, we took an hour to reach to the place. “Rusigala Arannaya” is a Monastery situated in Sinharaja Forest. We walked into the Forest and found the Monastery, it was a tranquil place except odd calls of few birds, there was no one in the monastery at that time, which was quite surprising. We didn’t spend much time there because our phones were out of reach and need to go back as sooner as.       

Bird watching, relaxing, bathing, study rainforest flora and fauna and tasting toddy so called “Ra” are activities can be done here, camping is also possible in the jungle. Another journey is required to explore the place, probably with the family.

 

 

Nuwara Eliya_21st and 22nd February 2015

Nuwara Eliya is one of the prime locations of travelers. We had been there before but this is my first blog about a trip to Nuwara Eliya. There were series of requests from our loku duwa, Dulithi to go to Nuwara Eliya again, nothing but to experience the mist. Not like in other times, trip was well planned but I would say that February is not a good month to go there to feel the real Nuwara Eliya.

Month and Year – February 2015

Number of Days – 2 days (21st and 22nd)

Crew – Family

Accommodation - Lake View Comfort Bungalow

Transport – Car

Activities – Waterfalls hunting, scenic, relaxing and bathing

Weather – cloudy sky on the first day with few rainy drops. Second day was sunny

Route – Ganemulla to Kandy (first visited “Temple of the tooth”) then Peradeniya, Gampola, Pussellawa to Nuwara Eliya and then came back on Thalawakale, Hatton, Ginigathhena, Karawannalla, Ruwanwella, Urapola, Yakkala then to Ganemulla.

Note about routes – There are several routes to reach Nuwara Eliya, I would say all of these roads are scenic, but I’m yet to explore the most picturesque road. Via Mandaram Nuwara, Ulapane-Tawalantenna, Pussellawa-Tawalantenna-Pundalu Oya are some of these. Gampola-Pussellawa road is convenient because road condition is good. But shortest route is from Hatton, the one we came back.

External Sources used to gather information – www.lakdasun.org, http://www.srilankanwaterfalls.net and en.wikipedia.org

As planned, we left home at 3.45 a:m: and was able to reach Kandy the “Temple of the tooth” at 6.15 a:m:. We offered Milk Rice,“Kiri Ahara Pujawa” to the relic tooth at the Temple of the Tooth. Then visited adjoined “Sri Natha Dewalaya” too.

 We had our breakfast in Gelioya, a place just before the town. Then again started the journey, once you pass the Gampola, changing environment can be experienced but real feel of hill country is exposed once reached to Pussellawa. There are small joints (Kada) on the road in Pussellawa area, where we can have Rotti with Katta Sambal, Sini Sambal and Hakuru (jaggery) together with Plan tea, those were really testy and hot. Waterfalls are also been seen only from Pussellawa onwards.

Delta fall, which is the first on this route and it can be seen after 6kms from Pussellawa. According to srilankawaterfalls.net, height of the fall is 60 meters. Only lower cascade of the fall is seen from the road. Then there are two small cascades near Hellbodde State, these are unknown. When reached to Ramboda Tunnel, there is another fall just before the tunnel, which is Devathura Falls. When it’s looked down from the Ramboda Tunnel, Geradi Ella can be seen in far. Then the most famous Ramboda Falls, According to articles it consists of three parts, only middle part is seen from the roadway. Once passed Ramboda Falls Hotel (RFH) bend, Puna Falls can be seen little away but very clearly. This has two falls, which was amazing. When turned to RFH side from the place you watched Puna Falls, there is another fall, cascading down from a mountain, but not clearly visible.

 
 

Once reached to Labukale, another small cascade can be seen. A Strawberry shop, Adma Agro is in Labukale is ideal to take a refreshment before enter into Nuwara Eliya.

 

We came to Nuwara Eliya little early, therefore decided to visit “Seetha Amman Temple” in Seetha Eliya. According to the epic “Ramayanaya”, this place is believed to be the place where Seetha was held captive. There were clergies, where they provided evidently facts, related to the temple that took place in Ramayana Epic. There is a mountain in-front of the temple, which is “Hakgala Mountain” that perfectly looked like a “Primate”, according to the legendary this mountain was chuck of the mountain brought by Monkey king Hanuman from Himalaya.  Further there are few holes, exactly look like footprints in the water stream goes by the temple, and these are believed to be footprints of Hanuman. Another small cascade identified close to Seetha Amman Temple, which was by the road.

 

We arrived our place, Lake View Comfort Bungalow at around 1 o’clock. It overlooks Gregory Lake, Piduruthalagala Mountain range and Lovers’ Leap falls, which was spectacular. Rooms are quite large and would be enough to accommodate a large family. Rooms have timber floors and maintained well. Hot water is available and bathroom was also in good condition.

Most common places visited in Nuwara Eliya are Victoria Park and Lake Gregory. We went to the Victoria Park little late in the afternoon. This is an urban park and is looked like a mini version of Haggala Botanical Garden. Park has a manicured lawn and well maintained flower beds. Colourful flowers and large collection of plants can be seen in the park. Oak trees are quite commonly seen and hill country birds are also visible in the park. Park comes to alive in April session and vivid is much less in February. Loku Duwa and Chuti Duwa enjoyed the park visit and played in small children’s park in one corner of the park.

Then we went to Lake Gregory, a perfect place to enjoy the evening, according to a Trishaw driver, who friendly with us, Lake Gregory has been uplifted recently (somewhere 2013 & 14). People who want to enjoy a boat ride or horse ride are available in the Lake premises. We had dinner at a food stall in the Lake site. Foods are not so tasty but ok.

 
 

Next day, we started early morning and planned to visit a Mini worlds-end in Sandathenna called “Moons Plains”, which is in the edge of the government potato seed farm in Seetha Eliya. We didn’t hear about this place before, seems latest attraction in Nuwara Eliya.   

Trishaw man came little late, we all packed in the back sheet and was managed to reach the place at around 8 o’clock. Personal vehicles are not allowed to drive in the farm, authorize Sajari Jeeps are available to take visitors into the site. Since it’s new to tourists, there was not much crowd. Once entered to the farm, we went through a stretch that scenery was not unfolded before to us. Road along is windy and landscaped seed fields gave a different atmosphere, It was amazing and seems we were being brought to a different world. The Path to the moons plain does not disturb the flora and fauna, we saw buffalos and few birds on the way but not seen sambar deer. According to the Jeep driver, we should come to place early in the morning or late afternoon to see more wildlife.   

After 20 mins drive, we reached to the view point, this is the most elevated place and a concrete structure is also built to capture the beauty around. I would say the view is enchanting, around 360 degrees can be viewed from this place and most of the mountain ranges are visible. Jeep driver showed us all by name but now couldn’t remind any of them except Piduruthalagala. Mist swirled time to time but not much as expected. Surrounding is quite silent, except often calls of birds. Even-though we didn’t see sambar, we saw their footprints and dungs around the place. Jeep driver showed us their footpaths into the jungle as well, couldn’t imagine how they jumped so steep slopes. After spending around one hour there, we returned back to visit Lover’s leap Waterfall. 

 

 

Since hotel was between Moons pain and Lover’s leap, we checked out from the hotel before visit the waterfall. Trishaw driver brought us to a vegetable field and showed us a strawberry farm near by the Lake Gregory.  

Lover’s leap, which was seen far from the hotel is located in Havaeliya. Waterfall can’t be reached by vehicles. Even to go to the closest place, trishaw, four-wheel or vehicle with enough ground clearance is required. From there another 200m should be walked to the fall.  The fall is formed with a brook originated from the Piduruthalagala Mountain. Absolutely amazing, felt the freshness from the Piduruthalagala, quite memorable.

 

By spending ½ hour at the fall, we left to start the journey back to Ganemulla. As I said we came back from Thalawakale-Hatton road. St. Clairs and Devon Falls were observed from the main road, however everybody was in tired mode, and only myself enjoyed two beauties.

 

 

There was an issue in our vehicle, where it got boiled, therefore we came slowly. On the way seen a small water stream, somewhere past Ginigathgena and had a bath. Refresh ourselves and headed to home and managed to come home around 8 o’clock.