Solo Explorer

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Badulla, Sri Lanka ( Ceylon)

Badulla

Badulla, Sri Lanka ( Ceylon)

Badulla is a multi-national city and historically many beautiful places surround the city especially the ancient Buddhist temple of Muthiyangana situated in the Badulla city limit. The Catholic Church has a diocese headquartered here. Badulla is the main city of Uva Province, situated in the lower central hills of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of Uva Province & the Badulla District. Badulla is located in the southeast of the Hill country almost encircled by the Badulu Oya River by about 680 m (2230 ft) above the sea level surrounded by tea plantations too. The city is overshadowed by the Namunukula range of mountains (highest peak 2036 m /6680 ft) above sea level. It was a base of a pre-colonial Sinhalese local prince (regional king) who ruled the area under the main King in Kandy before it became part of the British Empire. Later, it became one of the provincial administrative hubs of the British rulers. The city was the terminus of the upcountry railway line built by the British in order to take mainly tea plantation products to Colombo.

Badulla was an isolated village until the British built roads from Kandy and Nuwaraeliya in the mid 19th century, as part of the growing plantation economy. By the 20th century, It had become a regional hub with the British: establishing it as the capital of Uva Wellassa, now known as the Uva Province. It still has a number of British colonial buildings existing, including the Badulla Railway Station, St. Mark's Church & Old Welekade Market. Badulla district is one of the leading tea-producing districts, second only behind the Nuwaraeliya District.

Climate

The Badulla has a tropical climate. There is significant rainfall in each month of the year. It’s annual rainfall is around 1885 mm & the temperature varies from 16°C (61°F) to 30°C (86°F) & in some cases, it's down to 13°C (56°F) or raises up to 33°C (92°F). April to May is the warmest season of the year and December & January are the coldest months of the year.

How to Reach Badulla

Ø By Road

Badulla is about 230 km (140mi) away from Colombo towards the eastern slopes of the central hills of Sri Lanka. There are three main routes to Badulla from Colombo. The most famous road is via Ratnapura to Beragala (A04 Road) then take Hali Ela Road (A16 Road) towards Hali Ela then take Badulla Road (Peradeniya - Chekalady Road / A 05 Road ) to reach Badulla. It will take approximately 6 hrs to reach Badulla. The second most famous road is Colombo - Kandy Road (A1 Road) till Peradeniya then Take Peradeniya - Chenkalady Road via Nuwaraeliya ( A05 Road). This road takes approximately 7 hrs to reach Badulla. Third Road is Colombo- Kandy (A1 Road), Then take Kandy - Padiyathalawa Road (A26 Road) till Thennekumbura. Now, take Thennekumbura - Ragala Road (B 413 Road ) till Kandehandiya Then you have to take Kandehandiya - Loggal Oya Road ( Mahaweli Rajamawatha / B 492 Road) till Loggal Oya Junction the take Andaulpotha - Badulla Road ( B 036 Road ) to reach Badulla. This road has taken approximately 6hrs & 30min To reach Badulla from Colombo.

Ø By Train

Colombo to Badulla rail ride is one of the most beautiful rail rides in the world. Badulla railway station is the last station on the Sri Lankan Main Line railway and it 292 km (181.6mi) away from the Colombo Fort Station. The Badulla Railway station was officially opened by 5th April 1924.

Colombo To Badulla Train Time Table

Train No	Train Name	Available Classes	Departure Time	Arrival Time
1005	Podi Menike Express	1st, 2nd & 3rd	5.55am	4.10pm
1001	Denuwara Menike Intercity	1st , 2nd & 3rd	6.45am	3.30pm
1015	Udarata Menike Express	1st, 2nd & 3rd	8.30am	6.30pm
1007	Express Train	1st, 2nd & 3rd	9.45am	7.20pm
1045	Night Mail	1st, 2nd & 3rd	8.00pm	8.00am

Badulla To Colombo Train Time Table

Train No	Train Name	Available Classes	Departure Time	Arrival Time
1016	Udarata Menike Express	1st, 2nd & 3rd	5.45am	3.30pm
1002	Denuwara Menike Intercity	1st, 2nd & 3rd	7.20am	4.00pm
1006	Podi Menike Express	1st, 2nd & 3rd	8.30am	7.00pm
1008	Express Train	1st, 2nd & 3rd	11.00am	9.10pm
1046	Night Mail	1st, 2nd & 3rd	5.50pm	5.20am

Things To Do In Badulla

Ø Narangala Mountain Hike - The name literally means "Golden Mountain" and Tamiliance describe it as golden grasses that blanket the slopes of Narangala. Narangala Mountain rises up to a height of 1527M (5010ft) in Badulla & it provides very best views in the entire tropical island and also it's a challengeable hike for the climbers. The trail begins at the Thangamalai Estate area. Approximately it takes 4 hours takes to reach the summit. At the peak, you can see the mesmerizing view of the Madulsima & Namunukula Mountain range.

Ø Dunhinda Waterfalls - It's located on 5 km (3.1mi) away from the Badulla city. The waterfall which is 64M (210ft) high & gets the name from the smoky dew drops spray, ('Dun' in Sinhalese means smoke) which surrounds the area at the foot of the waterfalls. It's also known as “Bridal fall” as the shape of the water falling is similar to a bridal view. The waterfalls purported to be one of the Sri Lankan most beautiful waterfalls. To see the waterfalls you have to walk 2 km (1.3mi) from the main road and on the way to Dunhinda waterfalls you can see the Kuda Dunhida waterfalls also.

Ø Worship Muthiyangana Ancient Buddhist Temple - Muthiyangana ancient Buddhist temple is located in the middle of the Badulla town. Buddhist believe that this site has been visited by Shakyamuni Gautama Buddha and is regarded as one of the sixteen sacred places (known as "Solosmasthana" in Sri Lanka). On the 8th year after attaining the Enlightenment, Shakyamuni Gautama Buddha made his 3rd visit to Kelaniya on the invitation by a king of Naga People (one of the ancient Sri Lankan tribes) named "Maniakkitha". During this visit, a local chieftain named "Indaka " invited the Lord Buddha to visit his place in Badulla. At the end of sermons made by Lord Buddha there. Indaka had wanted something to worship in memory of the Lord Buddha's visit. The Lord Buddha is said to have given him a few of his hair and a few drops of sweat that turned into pearls (Mukthaka Dathu). Indaka had enshrined these sacred hair and pearls in a Stupa, believed to be the stupa here.

Ø Namunukula Mountain Hike - Namunukula is literally known as "Nine peaks" in the Sinhala Language & It's the name of the mountain range. It's located approximately 10 km (6.2mi) south to the Badulla city. It's highest Peak reach over 2036M (6680ft) above the sea level. Most of the Local travelers used to do camping at the Namunukula peak to see the sunrise. This mountain range is the catchment of the "Kumbukkan Oya" which has two different trails to reach the peak. One begins at the 3rd Milepost on the way to Passara from Badulla (Peradeniya - Chenkalady Road /A05 Road). This is the shortest trail to reach the peak. From this point, approximately 2 hrs & 30 mins are taken to reach the summit. The second trail begins at the small village called Malme passing the spring valley. To reach Malme you have to use Badulla - Demodara Road (B97 Road). From this point, it takes approximately 3 hrs & 30 mins take to reach the summits.

Historical Places in Badulla

Ø Old Welekade Market - It's a historical colonial building situated in the middle of Badulla city and it was erected in 1889 by the Britishers.

Ø Bogoda Wooden Bridge - One of the oldest surviving wooden bridges in the country & it's been over 400 years old. This bridge is situated 13 km (8.1mi) away from Badulla city.

Ø Bogoda Temple - This is also an ancient Buddhist temple & it's dated to the period of King Walagamba (104-76BC).

Ø St. Mark's Church - This church was also erected by Britishers for the memory of Major Thomas Willam Rogers, Assistant Government Agent of Uva Province. It was the first church to be consecrated (25th April 1857) by the first Bishop of Colombo Rev. James Chapman.

Places To See In Badulla:

· Badulla Botanical Garden

· Badulla Dutch Fort

· Badulla Katharagama Devalaya

· Black Pool

· Bogoda Temple

· Bogoda Wooden Bridge

· Dunhinda & Kuda Dunhinda Waterfalls

· Muthiyananaya Ancient Buddhist Temple

· Namunukula Mountain

· Narangala Mountain

· St. Mark's Church

· Wewassa Waterfalls

Badulla Dutch Fort

Black Pool

Bogoda Wooden Bridge

Dunhinda Waterfalls

Kuda Dunhinda Waterfalls

Muthiyanganaya Ancient Buddhist Temple

Namunukula Mountain

Narangala Mountain

St. Mark's Church

Wewassa Waterfalls

Imantha Rasanga

L H Imantha Rasanga, currently staying in Colombo Sri Lanka. Professional Level Event planner and Tour organizer since 2016. My introduction can be further divulged as a Solo Traveller who loves to travel the globe and takes all the best possible memories from every single place I travel. A great saying says, “Experiences are better than Imaginations”. I love to create Experiences about different-different places and sharing the same with everyone around me. I believe in giving best in whatever we do in life, wherever I travel I explore every single thing to the core, then May it be History, Routes, Locations, Directions, Significance and even complete environmental conditions and weather of the place. As a travel explorer I love to share all my exploring details with the world around me.

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Deniyaya, Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Deniyaya

Deniyaya, Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Deniyaya is a small town located towards the South of Sri Lanka & it's also an isolated tourist destination of Sri Lanka. It is located in Matara District of the Southern Province. The city sits over 389M (1276ft) feet above sea level. The entire region is a mountainous area located near the central mountain range in the direction to the south-west of Deniyaya in the Rakwana-Bulutota pass & It's surrounded by the Sinharaja Rainforest where the climate is also relatively cool. The main source of income and livelihood here is tea cultivation. However, people are also engaged in vegetable cultivation.

The villagers say the meaning of "Deniyaya" in Sinhalese is, 'Deniya' which is similar meaning of 'Jungle' & 'yaya' mean 'large tract'. The place was named 'Deniya-Yaya' then it eventually became a 'Deniyaya'.

How to reach Deniyaya

It is situated 195 km (121mi) away from Colombo, Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, No railway line is available to Deniyaya, if you wish to travel Deniyaya by train, then you have to get-down at the Galle train station & then you have to catch a Galle- Deniyaya Bus or you can also hire a vehicle.

If you are planning to travel Deniyaya then you can have few options, you can travel via Colombo-Galle main road (A2 Road) to Galle then you have to take Galle - Deniyaya Road (A17 Road) to reach Deniyaya or You can use southern expressway till Imaduwa, from there exit at Imaduwa exit & take Galle - Deniyaya Road (A17 Road) to reach Deniyaya. Another famous & sceneric way is via Mathugama & Neluwa Road till Morawaka town, then you have to take Galle - Deniyaya Road (A17 Road). The last option is via Rathnapura & Rakwana Road this road also sceneric and very narrow road. In between Rakwana town to Suriyakanda you have to pass the 10U bends on this road.

Climate

Deniyaya has a tropical rainforest climate prevailing & it's usually warm, humid & rainy throughout the year. Its average maximum temperature is around 30 °C (86 °F) & the average minimum temperature is around 20 °C (68 °F). In a year the average rainfall is about 2000 mm in Deniyaya.

The Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve

The Sinharaja Rainforest reserve, Pitadeniya entrance is situated on 16km (10mi) away from Deniyaya city. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a forest reserve and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The reserve's name translates as Lion Kingdom. The reserve is covered with a surface area around 88.64 km² (8864 Hectare) & is only 21 km (13mi) from east to west, alongside a maximum of 7 km (4.3mi) from north to south but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The Sinharaja Rainforest constitute the southern Provinces' most important catchment area of almost all major rivers.

Birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Sri Lanka Crested Drongo and the noisy orange-billed Babbler. Out of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic birds, 20 rainforest species occur here, including the elusive red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal & Sri Lanka blue magpie. Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed Vipers and there are a large variety of amphibians especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic with common birdwing butterfly and leeches.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. The hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988.

Things to do in Deniyaya

Ø Sinharaja Rainforest Tour - If you are in Deniyaya don't forget to visit Sinharaja Rainforest. Pitadeniya entrance is the closest entrance to Deniyaya town. When you enter to the reserve you can see the site map, then you can choose which place you will visit. In most cases, you can see wild animals, birds & butterflies during your trekking & before you exit don't forget to take a freshwater bath on a safe place. You can get free fish therapy while you are bathing it's feeling really amazing.

Ø Getabaruwa Temple - Gatabaruwa Temple is located on a summit of the Gatabaru Mountain at an elevation of 457M (1500ft) above the sea level in the village of Katapola in between Galle - Deniyaya (A17) main road, to reach the temple you have to go to the summit of the mountain. The villagers believe that the temple has mystical power and one who earnestly worship in the temple, many things can become true.

Ø Patna Sliding Rock - The villagers known as "Burus Gala" the English meaning 'Burus Gala is 'Sliding rock'. This location recently becomes very famous with the impact of social media. The river flows over a number of wide rocks with gentle slopes and at the end of each rock lies a shallow pool. Due to the gentle water flow over the smooth rock surface number of natural water slides are created on the rock.

Ø Samangala Temple - This is a quite isolating place in Deniyaya, a number of visitors are coming to Patna sliding rock but very few visitors at Samangala temple and samangala viewpoint. In this place, you can see the mesmerizing & greenery of the Deniyaya Mountain range.

Ø Gongala Mountain Hike - Gongala mountain is situated in the Rathnapura District of Sri Lanka but it's very close to the Deniyaya town. At a summit elevation of 1358M (4455ft). It takes approximately 2 hours to reach the summit. At the summit, you can see the 360° view of the Gongala Mountain range.

Places to see in Deniyaya

· Sinharaja Rainforest

· Patna Sliding Rock

· Samangala Buddhist Temple

· Gatabaruwa Buddhist Temple

· Seven stages waterfalls (Sathmale Waterfalls)

· Gongala Mountain