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.
