We started build a “Kuti” in the forest near “Kukulamalapotha” village. This is one of remote villages near Ilukkumbura area. Earlier more than 50 families lived in this village , but now only 4 families live in this village. Due to many difficulties they left from this village. From village border we have to go nearly 2 km’s in the jungle to reach the “Lena”. This place situated in the middle of the hill & adjoining “Thelgamu Oya”.

Long time ago a monk lived in this “Lena” & after that no one use this. We made the “Kutiya” using “Lena”. We used cement blocks for construction & we took sand from “Thelgamu Oya”. Very difficult task is carrying goods up to site. Many people gave their support to carrying goods up to site.

Our aim was complete all work & donate to monk for live in this “Vas Period”. Therefore on our 1st trip we complete construction work of all walls & “sakman maluwa”.

On 2nd trip we completed water supply for “Kutiya”. “Ulpath” situated nearly 1 km away & we arrange pipeline from there.

Friday midnight we start our journey & we reached Pitawala Pathan around 4.45 a.m. We took little rest there & around 6.00 a.m reached to Ilukkumbura. From there we went to “Kukulamalapotha” village. We start work from when we reached to Kutiya. We took only break for lunch & work till around 6.00 p.m. After that having good bath from oya & prepare our dinner. After having that we went to sleep early & wake up around 5.45 a.m. Again work !!! This was the time table for all 2 trips.

But we saw happy ending & as we planned we were able to complete all work nicely. In this “Vas Period” monk will use this “Kutiya”.

This was memorable & highly valuable experience for us. Pls go through the photos & share our experience.

Near Pitawala Pathana – around 5.30 a.m

Morning views

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From Illukkumbura

We parked our car in this Guest House

Nice Couple

Start our journey – Lot more to go

.	Still going…

Last house in the village before forest

First having chat with them

Another day in their simple life

Their well

“Pela”

Entering to the forest

Lot more to go…

First preparing breakfast

Delicious Dish of Manioc

“Ulpatha” – The water source

Starting arrange pipeline

Madu Tree

.	Lots of Madu trees in this area

Arranging pipe line in the forest

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Having some rest before lunch

Ready for Lunch

Thelgamu Oya

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.	“Ahetulla” – we met only him

Final preparation before leaving

Views of “Kutiya” after completion

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Leaving from “Kutiya”

Back to Village

Before leaving

Before leaving

.	On the way to Ilukkumbura

.	Simple life style

Views – On the way from Illukkumbura

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Thanks for Reading…….

I have been several times at Colombo-Embilipitiya road and was eying on this mountain when I passed famous Sankapala (සoඛපාල විහාරය) temple. It is situated in front of famous Sankapala temple. When you are facing at Udawalawa dam, this greenish mountain range is seen in your left hand side.
One Sunday I was looking for a hiking and this came to my mind. Metric department map say it as Mahagamuwa Kanda (658m), but that assumption was wrong when we asked from villagers.
This time I have missed my all regular hiking friends, Tharindu who is a new friend came with me for Dehigahalanda hike. As usual we left Colombo early morning and reached Rathnapura. After having breakfast at Rathnapura, we got Embilipitiya bus and got down in front of Phussadewa tomb (ඵුස්සදේව සොහොන) at Dematagala. Google map reading says it is the best point to reach this mountain. Though it shows acute angle, distance is less.
The peak was clearly seen to Phussadeva tomb. Phussadewa (ඵුස්සදේව යෝධයා) is one of ten Giant warriors of King Dutugamunu and famous for blowing conch shell. Later he became a Buddhist monk, lived at Sankapala Temple and attained Arahath. The ruined Dagaba on side of the road at Dematagala area believed as the tomb of Phussadewa Arahath Thero. His conch shell was kept at Sankapala rock, known to as Phussadewa rock (ඵුස්සදේව ගල).

Dehigahalanda from Colombo-Embilipitiya road

View of Dehigahalanda from Phussadewa Tomb

Zoomed view… It has a Mana top but it is already burned by recent man-made fire

Dehigahalanda in Google map.

After inquired from few locals we got some glare directions. Just after passing Dematagala Bridge at A18 road we turned to a by road in right to cross Rakwana River (රක්වාන ගග). After crossing the river we got right hand turned where we met Nimesh malli who was on his way from boutique. Nimesh lives there and provided a lot of information about this mountain and surrounding. Then we got the name of the mountain we are going to climb, it is Dehigahalanda. And it is one end of Sabaragamuwa (Rakwana) mountain range.
This boy was kind enough to show the path to base of the mountain as well. There was a concrete road through greenish paddies at Dematagala. Dehigahalanda had a splendid view over this paddies. On top it has a forest and Mana coverings. But this Mana cap has burned and gave bit ugly appearance to the mountain. Below that we could notice flourished forest where we have to go through.

Crossing Rakwana River

Beautiful view of Dehigahalanda Mountain over greenish paddies at Dematagala

Nimesh (left) and Tharindu (right)

The road through paddies, Sankapala Kanda is behind it.

After passing concrete road we followed some short cuts to reach the gravel road to Miriswalpotha-Kosgahaulpatha (මිරිස්වැල්පොත-කොස්ගහ උල්පත). This gravel road continues to Ethabandiwewa. We said good bye to Nimesh and got new directions from another young chap at Kosgahaulpatha. He gave a lift to us by his motor bike to the base of the mountain. There were large number of Pepper cultivation with Giriseediya (ගිරිසීඩියා) here. Forest line started at the end of Pepper estate.
Here onwards we got the assistance of Google map and our travel experience was helpful. First we had to cross a fairly deep dry stream. We got advices to not to go along this dry stream as it has some deep sections, this was well evidenced in our return journey. Following that it was a hike along the slope of the mountain under dry zone forest cover. There were enough creepers and boulders for our assistance though angle was more than 70 degree in some sections. We didn’t notice any proper foot pathway along this section, but there were evidences of human activities. This distance was about 750m and we spent more than one hour to get the exit from dry forest. It ended up at Mana patch where we saw the top of Dehigahalanda Mountain.

Nimesh guided us along some short cuts

This area also had Pepper cultivation

This is the place we got foot path to the base of the mountain. We continued along the foot path until Pepper crops is over

This gravel road is directing to Ethabandiwewa

Fairly deep dry stream we had to cross first

Under dry forest cover

Tharindu gets assistance to overcome the slope of the mountain

There were enough boulders and rocks to get assistance

It had some rock climbing part as well

Here we had a reward as Mana patch is partially burned. As we saw from the front of the mountain this burned section extended to back of the mountain as well. It was not a hard exercise to go through Mana patch. After an ascend of 200m we have reached a flat section where surrounding plain was clearly seen. We could notice paddy fields and concrete road we passed with the back ground of Sankapala Kanda and Udawalawa reservoir (උඩවලව ජලාශය).

At the end of forest section we are awaiting for Mana patch.

Our target-Peak of Dehigahalanda Mountain

Journey through Mana patch

When we were climbing up…drone pictures. Photo credit goes to Tharindu Paththapperuma

When we were climbing up…drone picture. Photo credit goes to Tharindu Paththapperuma

When we were climbing up…drone picture. Photo credit goes to Tharindu Paththapperuma

It was kind of a good view point

Concrete road and paddy filed we passed

Paddy fields

Paddy fields

Sankapala Kanda with Pussadewa Gala. Pussadewa Gala is the place where conch shell is kept.

Zoomed view of Sankapala temple

Colombo-Embilipitiya road at Kolambage Ara area

Enjoying the view

Udawalawa reservoir

Udawalawa reservoir

Rest of the range is probably extending to south east direction

Rest of the range is probably extending to south east direction

After enjoying the view, we moved towards the peak of Dehigahalanda. Again the journey through Mana patch and last bit of hike was a rock climbing. At the end, we were able to reach the peak of Dehigahalanda which is fairly flat and provides the view towards rest of Rakwana hills. So it proves this is one end (most probably eastern edge as no other mountainous area beyond this) of Rakwana Hills / Sabaragamuwa Mountains. We were lucky enough to view Gongala-ගොන්ගල (highest peak of Sabaragamuwa) and Sooriyakanda-සූරියකන්ද. There was a forest patch beyond the top and we didn’t try to go over there. In a clear day you may see Deniyaya and Southern plain as well. We could identify only Kuragala among the hills beyond Sankapala Kanda. Rest of the peaks including Hortain plains, Hawagala, Adarakanda, and Balathuduwa etc. might be seen in a clear day but hidden with gloomy.
As I described earlier this is the eastern edge of Sabaragamuwa Hills, the plain next to it included Embilipitiya, Thanamalwila and Chandrika Wewa. Here we couldn’t see Udawalawa reservoir and Sankapala as view was obstructing by forest cover.

Heading to the peak

Rest of Mana patch.

We are closer to the peak

Last bit of hike. Boulders and rocks were found on the path.

Top of Dehigahalanda, fairly flat plain providing the view towards giants of Sabaragamuwa range-Gongala and Sooriyakanda

Gongala-Highest peak of Sabaragamuwa range. It is easy to identify due to it’s cylindrical tower.

Gongala zoomed

Sooriyakanda is circled

Top of Dehigahalanda

Margin of burned and greenish Mana

Southern plain should be seen beyond these hills in a clear day

Kuragala is circled

Towards Embilipitiya, Chandrika Wewa and Thanamalwila side

Flying the drone

Getting the drone

Top of Dehigahalanda

Handstand picture on top of Dehigahalanda

It’s nothing for a talented gymnastic player

Two man team

Posing…

It’s me….

Drone picture…When we are on top of Dehigahalanda

Drone picture…Colombo-Embilipitiya road, Sankapala Temple and Paddies

Drone picture…..Peak of Dehigahalanda. Note that forest cover extends. Rest of Rakwana hills with pointed Sooriyakanda

Drone picture…Top of Dehigahalanda

Drone picture…Top of Dehigahalanda

Drone picture…Two man team

Drone picture…Two man team

When we were on top of the peak

Probably this might be the path we followed

After enjoying the beautiful view from Dehigahalanda we started to descend. Return journey was planned along the same way but we were set to more acute angle than climb up. But we always kept our path parallel to the dry water stream. It brought us to the starting point at the end. On our way back we refreshed from Rakwana River. It’s the end of another good one day hike.

More pictures of Udawalawa reservoir

More clear view

More clear view

Surrounding view

Good bye Dehigahalanda

Refreshed from Rakwana River.

The bridge to cross Rakwana River

Thanks for reading

NWP has been giving us ample opportunities to experience the beauty of the dry zone and few giants were providing the foundation for our dreams. Galgiriya had been in our priority list for a while just like Menikdena and we decided to go ahead with the hike because of that reason. There were no previous records of summiting it so as usual the maps were our guide. The range of Galgiriya is about 7Km’s long and to get to the summit directly you need to ascend 500M uphill on an acute slope. We decided to take the relaxing path which was to get on to the ridge from one end and hike along the range.

The map

Galgiriya as seen from Maho side

base of the giant – only 50% seen

another view

Galketi tammennawa wewa

We reached Ulpotha at around 8am and inquired about the safest place to reach the mountain. Though most of the villagers discouraged us because of the recent elephant attack on a village lady some were supportive . We were guided to climb up along Galketi thammennawa lake bund road and we adhered to those instructions. Passing the lake the foot path goes uphill until a caved temple is found and from there onwards one has to climb up until the ridge of the mountain is found.

After reaching the ridge it was a long long walk until the summit could be reached. On the way we had many many view points so the walk was a very slow one. The risk of encountering an elephant on the mountain ridge is very low and we didn’t come across any elephant dung which justified our assumptions.

Galketi tammennawa wewa

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caves

more

Andiyagala

Madagalla

on the way we came across a natural cave

Galketi tammennawa lake

Ihala Embogama lake seen

yapahuwa rock seen on the right

on the ridge

long walk to the summit

On various view points we saw landmarks like Andiyagala, Peaks around Madagalla, Galketi thammennawa lake, Ihala embogama lake, Yapahuwa rock, Nika wewa mountain, Kahalla range, Beliyakanda, Menikdena, Kadigala, Arangala, Attaragalla and Palukadawela lakes, Rajanganaya and Siyambalangamuwa tanks, Galgamuwa wewa, Yakkurugala, Kala wewa & Balalu wewa and also Ritigala. The hike took 5 hours for us to reach the summit and 2 hours to descend.

kahalla range seen

obstacles

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a view point

Pahala embogama lake

Attaragalla and Palukadawela lakes

looking back

the drop

more to walk

natural chair

another view point

posing

more to go

“Gal”

unique

Rajanganaya and Siyambalangamuwa tanks

Galgamuwa wewa

looking back

along the ridge

another part of the mountain

Kahalla range

pano

Menikdena – Kadigala – Maruthulawa – Arangala seen

Madagalla

Nika wewa

Kala wewa balalu wewa

resting points

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Ritigala seen

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northern part of the range

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summit

few feet away from the summit

After reaching back along the same route in an express speed we had ample time to refresh our selves at Galketi thammennawa lake before departing back after a lovely hike.

getting back

wow

yapahuwa

while having a dip

Hike to Hegasulla (හෑගස්උල්ල) opened new travel destinations for me. This beautiful area called me to explore it extensively. As weather was perfect, I decided to walk beyond Hagasulla after 2 weeks’ time.
I gave the opportunity to new team including Eshan, Keshan and Rasika to enjoy the beauty of area. My plan was to go beyond Hagasulla and conquer couple of hills (this area is marked as Korahana in 1:50000 map) with splendid view.
Like Hegasulla hike, I decided to reach Theripaha early morning. We selected overnight bus from Colombo to Neeldandahinna. Rasika and Eshan were supposed to join with us to travel by bus at Kandy. They missed the bus badly due to wrong calculation of time to wake up. It made them to follow the bus by motor bike with enjoying the night breeze. Somehow we managed to reach Theripaha village around 4.30am while whole village was sleeping.
We had to wait till our routine tea shop is opened and uncle treated us with crisp patty and plain tea. While others were enjoying the tea I chat with a villager who knows very well about this area. According to him there is a beautiful plain beyond Hegasulla called Padupola. There was a school and one family lived there before Mahaweli project is started. Currently Padupola (පදුපොල) is occupied by Elephants and belongs to VRR reserve. It needs to cross few mountains to reach Padupola. Randenigala rock is situated next to Padupola. So we set Padupola as our target and started the journey at 6am. Our initial plan was to follow the route till Hagasulla and descend there. But he advised us to not to follow this descend, as it is difficult to overcome. (Later we realized this as a wrong decision).

We had to follow the road to Mala Oya (මළ ඔය) till it end and get right hand side foot pathway to reach the Elephant fence. An old villager came to show the foot pathway to reach Elephant fence. He advised us to follow the foot path towards Hegasulla. (Actually this foot path goes on side of the mountain range. It was clear in most of the time and we passed a Pinus patch as well. Roaming elephants was the main threat and Elephant dung were seen over the foot path. At the end we reached a nice view point facing to Randenigala reservoir, which is similar to Hegasulla view point. Different phase of Hegasulla was seen in my right hand side. We snapped with background of Randenigala reservoir.

Team at Theripaha junction: Rasika (Left), Keshan (middle) and Eshan (Right)

Following the road with Mala Oya

At beginning….

It is a sub section of VRR reserve, called Kandyaya reserve

Pride of peacocks

He showed the path till elephant fence

Balancing…

“Go on this way”

Reaching elephant fence…This is the same one we passed in Hegasulla hike.

“ස්තූතියි මාමාට”

There was a clear foot pathway on side of the mountain

පයිනස් ගෙඩි

Flesh and bones ….found on our way

Crossing Pinus plot

Having a break

Go along the slope…

Go along the slope…

Left side slope towards Mala Oya

Kukulagala

Number of mountains in VRR reserve

Reaching the first view point of Randenigala reservoir

Enjoying the view…

Zoomed view of Randenigala reservoir

These two mountains in Korahana area were seen nicely beyond Hegasulla last time. This time we have to pass it.

Next part of the journey was bit challenging as there was an acute drop ahead. We were able to get down it without any damage. It was a meadow where we got down and another sharp hike was ahead of us. Hegasulla was seen with it’s forest cap for first time. We didn’t want to spend much time at this shrub area as it might be a place for Elephants. Along this slope with help of small bushes we reached another wide plain where Randenigala reservoir was seen nicely.

This is the acute drop we followed.

Having a break before next session

Have to climb this….

Hegasulla with its forest cap…..

When we looked down…

With Hegasulla. We didn’t see it’s this shape in Theripaha side

These short bushes were really helpful in climbing

Crawling….

Flat section between Hegasulla and other two mountains. Now only we realized we would have come along Hegasulla rather than following this path.

Forest patch in this meadow might be a hiding place for Elephants

Reaching the second view point.

We had amazing view towards Randenigala reservoir from here. Half-filled Randenigala reservoir with it’s islands gave beautiful appearance to our pictures. This area is ideal for camping if we carry enough water. We spent much time to capture pictures here.

Zoomed view of Randenigala reservoir

It’s time for photos

The team except me

View of Hegasulla from 2nd view point

The drop of Hegasulla….

It’s me….

Posing…..

The part of reserve obstructing the view of Randenigala reservoir

The meadow for Mala Oya which flows between this plain and mountain

Then we moved along the side of next set of mountains. There were some fainted foot pathways between dry Mana. One option is to reach the peak of one of these mountains and go from one peak to another. But we prefer to move along the slope rather than the peaks. It was not difficult to understand the direction as most of the time we have to walk in open areas. Hegasulla was rising behind us always and we were able to identify Narangala, Namunukula and Lunubissa behind Hegasulla. Uma Oya was searching it’s way to Rantambe on our left hand side. Sharpen view of Raja Mawatha appeared through forest and Kukulagala and rest of the mountains were seen in front of us. Further walk made us to reach Raja Mawatha and Randenigala reservoir. Galpadipela and it’s range, Dumbanagala, Kehelpothdoruwegala, Yahangala and some other peaks of Knuckles massif were also seen. At the end we reached a smooth drop where range is further extending and a sloping plain is situated lateral to it. According to the villager this plain is called Madathenna (මඩතැන්න).

Complete view of Hegasulla

Couple of mountains we have to pass next.

Link between Hegasulla and these two mountains

Leading…

Angle…

We didn’t try to reach top of them…

Dambarawa and Mapakada lakes…

Having a break….

Other side of Hegasulla. Seems it’s more like triangular shape mountain

Giants of Uva- Narangala, Namunukula and

“Raja Mawatha”-රජ මාවත

The view in front of us….

When we looked behind after walking some distance

Walk along the edge of the mountain

Rest alone…

Walking along the edge of the mountain….

The area we have to pass

Galpadihela and it’s range is in front of us

Some peaks of Knuckles range are seen: Kehelpothdoruwegala and Yahangala

Dumbanagala

Some other peaks of Knuckle range…

Further move….

Hegasulla is gradually disappearing

Most of the time we have to walk at open areas

Yahangala like structure

Yahangala like structure

The plain we have to pass. Madathenna is situated lateral to it….

The path we have to cross…

Loggal Oya reservoir

Madathenna

Madathenna and lakes near Mahiyanganaya

Madathenna

A friend met on our way…

A friend met on our way…

When we looked back….

Peaks of Uva….

We didn’t pay attention to reach Madathenna and passed it. Next part of the area was full of thick grown Mana and only path between them was Wild elephant tracks. We have reached a slab rock where Mana was over. One of the most beautiful plains I have seen was in front of me. This is Padupola plain. It was covered with greenish grass and Mana. We could notice a water source in middle of Padupola. Therefore it must be a playground of elephants and wild animals in night time.
The last rock / mountain of this side stands next to Padupola is Randenigala (රන්දෙනිගල). Randenigala dam is connected to this rock from one side. People of Theripaha called this as Randenigala. It has a majestic view from Raja Mawatha side. But when we visited at Randenigala range at Ududumbara-Bopana side they called this rock as Kanamee Gala (කනමී ගල) and the mountain in contact with dam in their side as Randenigala. Don’t know which name is correct.
Rest of Randenigala range, Knuckles range, Galpadipela, Randenigala reservoir and lakes around Mahiyanganaya were in back drop of Padupola plain. We spent a time to enjoy this amazing view of Padupola plain with back drop of Randenigala. As we have to follow the same path to Theripaha in return journey, we decided to not to get into this heaven like place. It was kept for next journey.

The area we passed…

Overgrown Mana

Reaching the slab rock…

So called Padupola plain

Padupola plain

Padupola plain

How this Kanamee Gala, Randenigala and Padupola plain are situated

Galpadihela range

Padupola plain

Looking at Padupola plain

Padupola and surrounding view…

More pictures with Padupola

More pictures with Padupola

The team with Padupola….Photographer-Rasika

This is the most beautiful plain I have seen.

We followed the same path in return journey but pass the peak of Hegasulla. The forest patch at side of Hegasulla had a slope but can climb through it. It took almost 12 hours to whole journey and we were able to reach Theripaha at dusk of the day. (Return journey was slow as one team member developed a sprain in leg)

Padupola plain is circled here. The rock next to Padupola is marked as Randenigala (852m) in 1:50000 map. The mountain on the other side with contact of dam is marked as Waddandamana (856m). Click image to enlarge.

How Padupola is shown in Google map.

Thanks for reading

This was the journey to Mahaweli Raja Mawatha from Theripaha via spiky Hegasulla and beautiful Padupola. Once we have reached Mahaweli Raja Mawatha from Theripaha along Mala Oya. In old days there was a road along this route to reach Mahiyanganaya. Accelerated Mahaweli project has absorbed all these old villages and foot pathways to VRR reserve and Randenigala reservoir.
We had two main targets of the journey: Visit at Padupola plain and hike to Kanamee Gala / Randenigala (කනමී ගල / රන්දෙනිගල).
I was counting days to visit at one of the beautiful plains I have seen-Padupola. As weather was perfect I have planned the journey to visit Padupola.
Nalinda and Prabath joined as new members for the journey. It’s my third visit to Hegasulla while Keshan and Nuwan recorded as their second visit to this triangular shaped mountain.
I followed the same routine as usual in previous journeys. Same bus, travelled by three-wheeler, waiting at tea shop till morning comes, fresh patty and tea, friendly uncle at tea shop were repeats of the journey.
We planned to start the journey by 6 am. Unfortunately someone has made a fire at Mana (මානා) and Iluk (ඉලුක්) around top of Hegasulla one day ago. Therefore we were advised to not to step into the area as it is bit dangerous. After discussing with others I decided to continue the journey as planned as before.
I followed my own steps in first journey and passed elephant fence. Middle part of Hegasulla was in burn. But it didn’t interfere with our journey except blackish appearance of the mountain in snaps. We have reached Hegasulla in two and half hours’ time. While in hiking I was able to identify Mahacoodugala, Ragala rock and Piduruthalagala in addition to previous mountains I identified. After enjoying the morning view from top of Hegasulla we descend in our left side on Hegasulla into the forest patch. Then we descend under cover of forest patch.

Let’s go through the picture journey.

Good morning Theripaha

Towards Uva…

Sun rise…

Early morning view….

Morning view while on hiking….

Kukulagala

Mahacoodugala

Piduruthalagala with towers

Paddies at Theripaha

Burning Hegasulla

Still burning….

Middle of the journey

Ash….

How it appearance has changed….

Burnt….

It’s almost BLACK

The path we followed…

Hiking on ash…..

Hiking on ash…..

Official beverage of the journey…

Reached top of Hegasulla

Randenigala reservoir….

Randenigala reservoir….

Getting down….

Getting down….

Coming out of forest…

Coming out of forest…

After coming out of the forest we followed the open area connecting Hegasulla with rest of the range. Following that, journey was happened along the same pathway till we reach the slab rock overlooking Padupola plain. On our way we were able to view Uma Oya, Narangala, Namunukula, Madolsima range, Lunubissa, Dambarawa, Mapakada, Sorabora Wewa, Mahaweli river  etc.
Let’s go through Landscape pictures I got…

පේර	Beautiful landscape…

The area ahead of us…

Mountains at Korahana (කොරහන) area

Walking along the edge…

The area we have to pass…

Walking along the edge…

Having snaps in different position

Crossing the area with Mana

We were careful in passing this area as it might be a good place for wild elephants

Randenigala reservoir

Randenigala reservoir

Hiking…

It is a combination of ascends and descends

Getting down

Rest under a tree

Rock…

Following fainted foot pathway

Randenigala forest

Towards Raja Mawatha

Along the edge…

The place where Madathenna (මඩතැන්න) is started

Group picture

Beautiful landscape…

Beautiful landscape…

Beautiful landscape…

Beautiful landscape…

Reached the slab rock situated above Padupola plain

Enjoying the view of Padupola

The slab rock above Padupola

Roaming….

Padupola and Randenigala

Padupola plain

Time for a jump….

Padupola plain
This beautiful plain is situated at Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe reserve closer to Randenigala / Kanamee Gala rock. It ranges from 900-1100m and sloped down to north. Before start Mahaweli project, Padupola was civilized and even a school was there. Currently it is covered by Mana and Iluk to give a beautiful appearance with bluish background of Randenigala reservoir.
A water spring originates from this plain drains to Uma Oya later. As it has a water source, Padupola plain might be a popular place among wild elephants and animals.
I have many experience with Velangolla Pathana at knuckles forest reserve. Compared to Velangolla Pathana, Padupola is bit smaller but rich in beauty. As all these places (Hegasulla and Randenigala range) are beautiful, Padupola can be mentioned as a heaven in paradise.

Getting down to Padupola

Getting down to Padupola

Getting down to Padupola

Padupola Plain

Padupola Plain

Padupola Plain

Padupola Plain

Padupola Plain

Padupola Plain

Padupola Plain

Padupola Plain

Padupola Plain with water source

Padupola Plain

After spend a time at Padupola plain we moved to the edge of the plain where Randenigala reservoir is seen. Fortunately we didn’t come across elephants here.

Move to the edge of the plain

Further pictures of Padupola plain

Walking in the plain

Edge of Padupola plain where Randenigala reservoir is seen nicely

Closer view of Randenigala reservoir

Kanameegala / Randenigala is standing next to the plain. It makes one end of the dam.

Our next target was to get on to Randenigala / Kanameegala and reach Raja Mawatha. There was a significant drop between Padupola plain and base of Kanameegala / Randenigala. We spent couple of hours to reach the base of Randenigala as we have to overcome this drop. After coming out of forest cover we had to face Mana area with bushes where no foot path was traced to move forward. At the end we reached the base of Randenigala / Kanamee Gala around 2.30pm. It was not a good decision to climb the rock at that time. Therefore we kept it as next plan and descend to Raja Mawatha under the guide of map.
After enter to the forest cover we could find a dry stream which descend to Raja Mawatha. We came across some water pockets in this dry stream on our way down. We were able to reach Raja Mawatha by 4pm. It was the end of trekking from Theripaha to Raja Mawatha, crossing spiky Hegasulla and beautiful Padupola.

This is our way to descend. It seems as a short distance, but difficult task due to the drop. As we planned to climb Randenigala, we decided to move on this way, rather than getting down straight from Padupola. I didn’t pay attention to get pictures till we reach the base of Randenigala.

Reached base of Randenigala

Enter to dry forest

Along the dry stream

Along the dry stream

Time for a break

Water pockets

Probably this drop may create beautiful waterfall in rainy season

Reaching Raja Mawatha-40km post. The giant seen behind is the mountain in other side of the road.

Happy team after successful trekking.

This our rough path.

Thanks for reading

This time our office Annual trip was planned to Amaya Hunas falls Hotel. I thought this is the perfect time to hike the Shaheen Mountain  located near the Hotel. We checked in to the hotel on 27th and collected information for the hike from hotel staff. Information relevant to ‘Birds of Hunas’ displayed at the entrance of the Hotels restaurant.

Birds of Hunas

Shaheen Falcon

The Shaheen Mountain is located near the hotel. It’s a 2 Km Hike from the Hotel and provides an Ella rock hike like experience and view from the peak. On the way we can visit the Upper Hunnas waterfall too. The mountain was named as Shaheen mountain by the hotel as it is one of the nesting site of the Shaheen Falcon.

‘Shaheen falcon’ also known as ‘Blacks Shaheen’ is the local resident race of the peregrine falcon, found in Sri Lanka and India. Popularly known in Sri Lanka as ‘Shaheen Kurulu-goya’. The sighting of this species is rare except of two places. One of these places is Sigiriya Rock. The other is the famous Shaheen Mountain located near Hunnas Falls by Amaya. In fact the first nesting site of the Shaheen falcon in Sri Lanka was recorded in Hunnas in 2006 March by Hotel Naturalist. This was followed by another sighting of another nesting site in 2013 – Amaya Hunas Falls

We started the hike on the next day early morning at 6:00 AM. There is trail map near the lake and we followed the path at the end of the lake which leads to Upper hunnas waterfalls in 200 meters.

Trail map

Start

Started

Lovers Lake

Around the lake

in to the jungle

Upper Hunnasfalls

Milky flow

At distance.

The path to Shaheen mountain starts few meters before the waterfall.

Enjoying the surroundings

Beauty

Seasonal falls

Seasonal falls

Seasonal falls

on the way…

Just better…

.

This is bigger…

on…

Hunnasgiriya mountain range

lower part

Close to peak

Here we are..

Its not Ella Rock!!!

The Peak

the drop…

Waterfall…

Summit-ting….

Achievement

views from top

Wooden Board at summit

other members

The hotel

The hotel and Lower Hunnas falls

Summit

Waterfall zoomed

Best view

Clouds in…

Drone on Clouds..

Views

reminds me ella rock

just.. WOW..

Road zoomed

totally covered

look down

Ready for retrun

Lets go

the other side

back

still good

perfect weather

.	nice footpath

Houses above trees

.

.

reached..

Behind the scenes

Behind the scenes

We reached the hotel by 8 pm and after a wonderful morning hike.

Drone Shot

Drone Shot

Thanks for reading….

We start our journey from Mawanella around 8.00 a.m. Our aim was visit important places as much we can during the day. Because now we came to last part of our journey. We have to finish our journey early because of little one’s pending school home work. Our little one strongly refuse to go back to home , he needs more days to go on trip. We have to take extra effort to change his mind & promised we took him another trip in December month . First we visit to “Wattarama Viharaya” & when we at there we were able to watch “Dawal Pererahera” of nearby Dewalaya also. Next we went to “Bissowela Viharaya”at near Galigamuwa town.After that we went to “Beligala Viharaya” . On that way we saw Archeological department notice board for “Beligala Mountain & Ruins”. After visiting “Beligala Viharaya” we went to climb that mountain. It was little difficult path to top of the mountain. Last part of the trail we have to use wooden ladder to reach to top. Ruins of some buildings in top of the mountain. Now some restore work started in there. Next we went to see “Dedigama Kota Vehera” & museum. After that we went to see “Isthreepura Gal Len Viharaya” at Galapitamada road. The name board broken at turning point & we faced difficulties to find it. Around 4.00 p.m we leave from there & came to one of our relatives home in Gampaha. We spent night at there & from morning we went to “Koskandawala Viharaya”. After visiting there we start our return journey back to home. On that way we went few relative houses also. After competing all we came back to home after 14 days of time. We competed our journey with lots of new experiences & happy memories.

Many thanks for reading our series of 14 days Trip Reports. Will meet with another one in future.

Thanks for reading.

Sanjeewa

Day 13 – 14 ( 25.08.18 – 26.08.18 )

35.Wattarama Viharaya

36.Bissowela Viharaya

37.Wijayasundarama Viharaya ( Beligala Viharaya )

38.Beligala Mountain

39.Isthreepura Gal Len Viharaya

40.Dedigama Kota Vehera

41.Koskandawala Viharaya

35.Wattarama Viharaya

Kegalle – Kurunegala Road

.

Entrance

“Pothgula”

Vihara Geya

.

.

Old Vihara Geya

.

.

Stupaya

.	Ruins of buildings

.

.

.	Nice pathway through rubber land

.

.

Old Stupaya

Old Stupaya

.

Dawala Perehera passing temple

.

36.Bissowela Viharaya

Near Galigamuwa town

.

Entrance

.	Inside the lena

.	Small stupaya

.

.

37.Wijayasundarama Viharaya ( Beligala Viharaya )

Yattogoda Juntion – Beligala Road

.

Details

.

.

Details

.

.	Inside little “Vihara Geya”

Main “Vihara Geya” under renovation

.

Ancient “Sandakadapahana”

38.Beligala Mountain

Before Beligala Viharaya

Name board at starting point

.

Less water level

.

Pathway start from here

Lot more to go

Climbing

Top of the mountain

View from top

Ruins of buildings

.

.

Coming back

39.Isthreepura Gal Len Viharaya

Dedigama – Galapitamada Road

.

Entrance

.	Vihara Geya in this large cave

.	Small Stupaya

Inside views

Tunnel inside the cave

..

.

.

.

Large pond in the cave

Ancient well near the cave

.

.

40.Dedigama Kota Vehera

Nelumdeniya – Galapitamada Road

“Kota Vehera”

Firstly built small Stupaya

.

41.Koskandawala Viharaya

Yakkala – Wathuragama Road

.	Vihara Geya

Stupaya

.

වලාකුළුවලටත් උඩින් ඉන්න නාරංගල කන්ද නගින්න

මාතලේ, මහනුවර සහ නුවරඑළිය දිස්්ත්‍රික්කවල පිහිටි රටේ උස් කඳුකර භූමිය දකුණින් ඌව පළාතින් අවසන් වේ. එය වචනයේ අර්ථයෙන්ම දැක බලා ගත හැකි කදිම ඉසව්ව වනුයේ බෙලිහුල්ඔය සිට හපුතලේට යන විට මාර්ගයේ දකුණු පස පිහිටි විශාල​ හෙල ඔස්සේ විහිදුණු පහත් බිම්ය. බෙරගලින් එහාට බදුල්ල දක්වා දිවෙන ඌව පළාත් මායිම ආසන්නයේ සුන්දර ඉසව් රාශියක් පිහිටා ඇත. විශේෂයෙන් මෙම පළාතේ තිබෙන කඳු මතට පහත් බිම් හරහා ගමන් කරන වලාකුළු හා මීදුම හරි අපූරුවට දැක ගත හැකිය. ඌව පළාතේ පවතින කඳු අතරින් උසින් සය වෙනි තැන ගන්නා නාරංගල කන්ද ද එවැනි කදිම ඉසව්වකි.

පිළිවෙළින් ඌව පළාතේ උසම කඳු වන උඩවේරිය I කන්ද (මීටර 2060), නමුණුකුළ (මීටර 2036), උඩවේරිය II කන්ද (මීටර 2016), ඉදල්ගස්ගින්න කන්ද (මීටර 1890), බෙරගල කන්ද (මීටර 1780) හා නාරංගල කන්ද (මීටර 1527) යනු හල්දුම්මුල්ල සිට ඔහිය හා හපුතලේ අතර සීමාවේ පවතින දැවැන්ත කඳු කිහිපයකි. ඉන් නමුණුකුළ සහ නාරංගල හාලි ඇළ නගරය ආශ්‍රිතව පිහිටා ඇති බැවින් බදුල්ලට ආභරණයක් ලෙස දක්නට ලැබේ. නාරංගල යනු ඉතාමත් වෙනස් හැඩයකින් යුත් අපූරු කන්දක් වන අතර නමුණුකුළ යනු පැහැදිලිව දැකගත හැකි කදු මුදුන් 9ක් පමණ සහිත කඳු යුගළයක් වේ. මෙම උසැති කඳු සියල්ලෙම මුදුනට ගිය විට නැගෙනහිර හා දකුණු වෙරළ තෙක් පුළුල් පරිසරයක් දැක ගත හැකිය. මන්ද දකුණට විහිදෙන පහත් බිම නිසාවෙනි.

ලංකාවේ කඳු නගින්නන් අතර තරමක් ප්‍රචලිත කඳු රාශියක්ම බෙලිහුල් ඔය සිට බදුල්ල දක්වා ඇති අතර බොහෝ විට ළඟාවීමේ පහසුව සහ සිත් පිනා යන දර්ශන පථයක් තිබීම ඊට හේතුව විය හැක. නමුත් මෙම ප්‍රදේශය මධ්‍යම කඳුකරයේ බෑවුම නිසාවෙන් බොහෝ විට වියළි කාලගුණයක් උසුලයි. එම නිසාම වසරකට වතාවක් මෙම කඳු ස්වභාවික ලෙස ගිනි ගැනීම හෙවත් ලැව්ගිනි ඇති වීම සිදුවේ.

විශේෂයෙන්ම හාවාගල, පරවියන්ගල, වංගෙඩිගල කඳු පන්තිය, බෙරගල, උඩදියලුම, ඇල්ල කන්ද, ලුනුබිස්ස, නාරංගල, උඩවේරිය සහ අවශේෂ කුඩා කඳුවල පවතින අධික මාන පඳුරු නිසාවෙන් බොහෝ කාලයක් මුළුල්ලේ පායන විටදී තද අව් රශ්මියට ස්වභාවිකවම ගිනි ගැනීමක් ඇති වේ. මීට දෙමසකට පෙර අපි වංගෙඩිගල ආශ්‍රිත කඳු පන්තිය ගිනිගන්නා ආකාරය දුටු අතර ඊටත් පෙර ගිනිගත් උඩ දියලුම, පරවියන්ගල වැනි කඳු දැක ඇත්තෙමු. තවද කලාතුරකින් විය හැකි තවත් සිද්ධියක් නම් මිත්‍යා විශ්වාස වල එල්බ සිටින ගම්මුන් වර්ෂාව අපේක්‍ෂාවෙන් මෙලෙස ලඳු කැලෑ ගිනිබත් කිරීමය.

නාරංගල යනු අප අවස්ථා දෙකකදී තරණය කළ කන්දකි. මීට දෙවසරකටත් එපිට සංචාරකයින්ගේ නෙතින් වසංව තිබූ නාරංගල කඳුවැටියේ සැබෑ සුන්දරත්වය අපගේ මුහුණුපොත ‘‘සොබාසිරි’’ පිටුව හරහා හෙළි කළ අතර ඉන්පසු ගත වූ කාලය තුළ නාරංගල සුන්දරත්වය නැරඹීමට බොහෝ පිරිස් ගියහ. නාරංගල කඳු මුදුනත යනු නෙත් වශීකරන සහ සිත් පැහැර ගන්නා තරම් සුන්දරත්වයකින් යුතු කන්දකි. මන්ද කඳු මුදුනටත් තෘණ සහ මානා පිහිටීමේ අපූර්වත්වයයි.

නමුත් බොහෝ අයට රාත්‍රී කඳවුරු බැඳීම මගහැරුණද ඇතැමුන් කඳවුරු බැන්දද ඔවුනට පවා මහහැරී ගිය සුන්දර දසුන් කිහිපයක් පසුගිය වරෙක නාරංගල චාරිකාවේ යෙදුණු මිත්‍ර ශශී ගයාශාන් හට විඳගැනීමට ලැබුණි. ගුවන් යානයක යන විට අඩි දහස් ගණනකට උඩදී කවුලුවෙන් පිටත බලන විට පහළින් වලාකුළු රොද පෙනෙනා දර්ශනයම අපට නාරංගල කඳු මුදුනේ දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි.

කොළඹ සිට බදුල්ල පාරේ රත්නපුර, බලංගොඩ පසුකොට බෙරගල හරහා හපුතලේට දිවෙන මාර්ගයේ සුන්දරත්වය ප්‍රකාශ කිරීමට වදන් ගැළපෙන්නේ නැති තරම්ය. මන්ද පසෙකින් දැවැන්ත ගල් බිත්තියත් අනෙක් පසින් මහා ප්‍රපාතයන් ඒ තුළ ක්ෂිතිජ ඉමට දිවයන පහත් බිම් කඩත් දුටුවෝ සිත නිතැතින්ම මාර්ගය අසල රථවාහන නතර කොට එම සුන්දරත්වය විඳීමට ප්‍රිය කරති. එ් නිසාම ස්ථාන කිහිපයක ආරක්‍ෂාකාරී නැරඹුමේ ස්ථාන කිහිපයක් වර්තමානය වන විට මාර්ගය අසල ඉදිකොට ඇත.

දකුණු දෙසින් සමනල වැව, උඩවලව හරහා පැහැදිලි දිනක දකුණු වෙරළ තීරය දක්වා වුව දැකගැනීමට හැකි බව නොරහසකි. හපුතලේ නගරය පිහිටියේ මධ්‍යම කඳුකරයේ බෑවුමත් පහත් බිමේ ප්‍රපාතයට ඉහළිනුත් නිසාවෙන් හපුතලේ නගරය බොහෝ විට මීදුමෙන් හා සුළඟින් වෙලී යන නගරයකි. හපුතලේ සිට බොරලන්ද, මාර්ගය හරහා හෝර්ටන් තැන්නටත්, තවත් පසෙකින් බොරලන්ද, වැලිමඩ හරහා නුවරඑළියටත් අනෙක් පසින් බදුල්ලටත් යා හැකි වේ. හපුතලේ පසුකොට හරිත යායෙන් වෙළාගත් තේ වතු අතරින් වංගු ගැසී යන මාර්ගයේ දියතලාව පසුකොට බණ්ඩාරවෙලට සේන්දු වේ.

බණ්ඩාරවෙලින් ඔබට දඹේතැන්නට යන මාර්ගයේ ගොස් ලංකාවේ දිස්ත්‍රික්ක රාශියක් එක් ස්ථානයක දැකිය හැකි ලිප්ටන් සීට් වෙත යා හැකිය. තවද බණ්ඩාරවෙල පසුකොට යන විට හමුවන කුඹල්වෙල මංසන්ධියෙන් දකුණට හරවා පිටරැටියනගේ දේශීය ගම වන ඇල්ල නගරයට ගොස් එහි ඇති සොබා නිර්මාණ සේම දෙමෝදර අරුක්කු නවයේ පාලම වැනි විශ්චිත මිනිස් නිර්මාණ පවා බලා ගත හැක.

ඉන්පසු කුඹල්වෙල හන්දියේ සිට අපි හාලිඇළ දක්වා පැමිණ කන්දෙගෙදරට යන මාර්ගයට හැර විය. පසුව දුෂ්කර මග දිගේ අවට පරිසරයේ සුන්දරත්වයත් ගමනාන්ත ඉසව්වත් දුරතියාම බලාගෙන කීනකැලේ වෙත පැමිණියෙමු. කීනකැලේ කුඩා ගම්මානක් වන අතර තේ වතු ආශ්‍රිතව දිවි ගෙවන තංගමලේ වත්තේ අහිංසක වතු කම්කරුවන් ජීවත් වේ. මග තොට අසාගෙනම අප ඊළඟට පිවිසියේ ගමන් නිශ්චිතව පා ගමනින් ආරම්භ කළ යුතු ස්ථානය වෙතය.

කුඩා​ කෝවිලක් පිහිටි ස්ථානයට නුදුරින් ගමන ඇරඹිය යුතු අතර ප්‍රථමයෙන් තේ වතු යාය අනුව ගමන් කළ යුතුය. ක්‍රමවත් අඩිපාරක් ඇති හෙයින් මග සොයා ගැනීම අපහසු නොවේ. කෙසේ හෝ එම මග දිගේ ඉදිරියටම යන විට නාරංගල කඳුවැටිය දිස්වන අතර තේ දලු සමඟ හැපෙන ජීවිත බොහෝමයක් දැකගත හැකිය. තේ වතු යාය පසුකළ පසු ලඳු කැලයකට අවතීර්ණ වන අතර මෙම ගමන යාමේදී ප්‍රමාණවත් ජලය රැගෙන යාමට අමතක නොකරන්න. ලඳු කැලය පයිනස් ගස් කිහිපයකින්ද මාන පඳුරු යායකින්ද සමන්විතය. වැසි සමයේදී මෙම ප්‍රදේශය දැඩි තෙත් බවකින් හා මීදුමකින් ගහණව පවතින අතර එම දිනවලදී මෙම මාර්ග සියල්ලේම කූඩැල්ලන් බහුලව දක්න්ට ලැබේ. එහෙයින් සාමාන්‍ය වර්ෂාවකට පසු හොඳින් පායන වකවානුවේ නාරංගල තරණය කිරීම වඩාත් පහසු වේ.

තවත් මීටර කිහිපයක් ගිය පසු අපි දළ නැග්මකින් අනතුරුව නාරංගල කන්දේ එක් කෙළවරක පිහිටි බෑවුම ඉහළට පැමිණියෙමු. සුන්දර ක්‍රීඩාපිටියක් ලෙස ඉතාමත් දිගින් සහ පුළුල්ව කඳුවැටිය දක්නට ලැබුණු අතර වටපිටාවේ සුන්දරත්වය දැකීමට හැකි වුණි. මෙතැන් සිට සම්පූර්ණ අඩිපාරම ඇත්තේ ගුවනට විවෘත අවකාශය තුළ මාන පඳුරු යාය අතරිනි. අසළ වූ වෙනත් කඳුවැටියක ලඳු කැලය හැරුණු විට සමස්ත කන්දම එකම හරිත පැහැයකින් දක්නට ලැබුණි.

දැඩි හිරු රශ්මිය පවතින දිනක මෙම කන්ද තරණය ඔබට වෙහෙසකර විය හැකි වන්නේ කඳුමුදුන මුළුමනින්ම විවෘත වූ නිසාවෙනි. එසේම ජලයේ වටිනාකමද එහිදී නො අඩුව දැනෙනු ඇත. කාලය හොඳ හැටි වූයෙන් අපි පරිසරයේ සුන්දරත්වය වඩ වඩාත් දකිමින් අඩි පාර දිගේ ඉදිරියටම ගමන් ක​ෙළමු. ඒ අසල පිහිටි විශාල ගල් කුට්ටියක් මත හිඳගනිමින් අවට සුන්දරත්වය තවත් විඳගත්තෙමු. මෙලෙස ගමන් කළ පසු අපි කඳු මුදුනට ආසන්නතම ස්ථානයට පැමිණියෙමු. එහිදී විශාල කළු ගල් බිත්ති පිරුණු මාන යායක්ද දක්නට ලැබුණු අතර ඉන් තරමක් ඉහළට නැගගත් පසු අප ළඟා වූයේ නාරංගල කඳු මුදුනටයි.

මුහුදු මට්ටමේ සිට මීටර 1527ක් පමණ ඉහළින් පිහිටි නාරංගල කඳු මුදුනට නකල්ස්, යහන්ගල, නමුණුකුළ, පිදුරුතලාගල, ඇල්ල, මොණරාගල දක්වා ප්‍රදේශ දැකගැනීමට ලැබුණි. කන්ද මුදුනේ කුඩා චෛත්‍යයක් ඇති අතර එය වර්තමානය වන විට ගම්මුන් ප්‍රයෝජනය ගන්නාවගක් නම් දැකගත නොහැක. මන්ද එහි ටකරං ගැලවී අබලන් මට්ටමේ ඇති හෙයිනි. කෙසේ හෝ ඒ ආශ්‍රිතව ඕනෑම තරම් කුඩාරම් ඇටවීමට ඉඩ පවතින නමුත් අපි මාන පඳුරු ගහණය අවට ස්ථානයක් සොයා ඒවා මට්ටම් කොට කූඩාරම් තැබිය හැකි ලෙස රැදෙව්​ෙවමු.

අතිශය වියළි කාලගුණය නිසාවෙන් කිසිදු ලෙස රාත්‍රී ගිනිමැලයක් නොගැසීමට තීරණය කළෙමු. මන්ද යත් පවතින සුළං ප්‍රවාහය මත ගිනි අඟුරු කැබලි පවා විසි වී ගොස් වේළුණු ගස් උඩට වැටී මහා ගින්නක් සාදනු ලැබීමට ඉඩකඩ තිබූ හෙයිනි. එම නිසා වියළි කාලයේ ගිනිමැල පත්තු කිරීමෙන් කන්දේ මාන පඳුරු දැවී ගොස් මුළු කන්දම කළු පැහැ ගැන්වෙනු ඇත. මන්ද මීට දෙසතියකට පෙර හටගත් ගින්නකින් නාරංගල කඳුමුදුන පිච්චි ගිය එකම කළු පැහැති ප්‍රදේශයක් විය.

කූඩාරම් ගසා සඳ ඇති රැයක නාරංගල මුදුනේ ඉන්නට ඇත්නම් එය කෙතරම් සුන්දරත්වයක් විය හැකි දැයි අපට සිතුණි. කුඩාරම් ගැසුවද මාන පඳුරු නොමැති කුඩා ඉඩක ප්‍රවේශමෙන් ආහාර අවශ්‍යතා සඳහා ගිනිමැලයක් ගැසුවද ඊට අවශ්‍ය දර සොයා ගැනීම බෙහෙවින් දුෂ්කර විය. කෙසේ හෝ රාත්‍රිය පහන් වී අලුයම උදා වූ විට දක්නට ලැබුණේ ඇස් අදහාගත නොහැකි දසුනකි. බදුල්ල, මොණරාගල, බිබිල සිට දකුණු හා නැගෙනහිර පළාත් දක්වා වලාකුළුවලින් වැසී තිබුණි. නාරංගල මුදුනේ අප සිටි කඳු ගැටය හැර අනෙක් සියලුම ප්‍රදේශ ඝන වලාකුළු රොදවලින් පිරි තිබුණි. එය ඉතාමත් සුන්දර දසුනක් වූ අතර අප සිටි කන්දට අනෙක් පසින් යුත් කන්ද ද මේ අතර කපොල්ලද මීදුමෙන් වෙළී තිබුණි.

එක යායට වලාකුළු පිරී තිබුණු ප්‍රදේශය උඩින් සිටින විට හැඟෙන්නේ ගුවන් යානයක සිට පහළ බලන අවස්ථාවයි. සංචාරකයෙකුට තම වාසනාව ඇති පරිදි බොහෝ විට මෙවැනි සුන්දර දර්ශන අත්විඳිය හැක. ඌව පළාතේ සිව්වැනියා මත සිටින විට ඈත ක්ෂිතිජ ඉම දක්වා නොපෙනෙන තරම් අහස් කුස හා යාවුණු වලාකුළු සමූහය වැඩි වෙලා එලෙස නොරැඳුණේ නැගෙනහිරින් මෝදු වන සූර්යයාගේ කිරණ හිමි හිමිහිට එබෙන්නට වූ නිසාවෙනි. රක්ත පැහැපත් හිරු සහ ඒ අවට වෛවර්ණයෙන් බබලන අහස් කුස තුළ ගැබ්ව තිබුණේ ඉතාමත් ප්‍රෞඪ බවකි.

ඔබමොබ දුවන මීදුම් සහ වලාකුළු රෑන හිමි හිමිහිට අපටත් නොදන්වා ඈත් වන්නට විය. ක්‍රමයෙන් රක්ත බෝලයක් වැනි හිරු නැගෙනහිර අහසින් ඉහළට ඇදුණු අතර අප වටා තිබූ වලාකුළුද ක්‍රමයෙන් ඈත්ව යන්නට විය. හිමිදිරියක කුඩාරමක් මතින් එළියට පැමිණි විට කන්දක් උඩ රැඳෙමින් මෙවැනි සුන්දර දසුන් දැකීම සැබවින්ම වාසනාවකි. හුදෙක් සංචාරය විනෝදයක් නොකර අත්විඳීමක් ලෙස දක්නට මෙම දසුන් කදිම නිදසුනක් වේ.  අප ගෙන ආ දිරාගිය කොටන්වලින් තවමත් හීනියට දුමක් දමමින් පැවතුණු අතර ළා හිරු රැස් වැටෙන මීදුම් සළු ගත හැපෙන හිමිදිරි උදයේ නැවුම් කෝපි කෝප්පයක රස බැලීමට අප සූදානම් වූයේ රාත්‍රියේ සුව නින්දක් අත්විඳි හෙයිනි. මීදුම් සළු ඈත්ව ගිය පසු ඈතින් හා පහළින් පෙනෙන නගර හා ප්‍රදේශ අපට දැකගැනීමට ලැබුණි. පිදුරුතලාගල සහ නකල්ස් දක්වා විශාල දුරක් දැකගත හැකි වීම සත්‍ය වශයෙන්ම පුදුම සහගත විය. අව් රශ්මිය වැටී නාරංගල නැවතත් ආලෝකවත් විය.

කන්ද මුදුනේ සිට අප පැමිණි කඳුවැටිය දෙස බලන විට තණ පිට්ටනියක් ලෙස පෙනෙන අතර එහි සුන්දරත්වය දෙස ඇසිපිය නොහෙළා වුව බලා සිටීමට හැකිය. පරිසරය යථා තත්ත්වයට පත් වූ අතර සුපුරුදු සුළඟ ගත දැවටෙන කණිසමේ අප නැවතත් නාරංගල බැසීමට තීරණය කරන ලදී. ආපසු යන ගමන තරමක් පහසු වූ අතර හරිත පැහැගත් තණ පිට්ටනියක් වැනි නාරංගල කන්දට සමුදුන්නේ නැවත දිනක එහි පැමිණෙතැයි සිතමිනි.

කන්ද බැසගත් අපි කීනකැලේ ප්‍රදේශයට පැමිණියෙමු. නැවතත් ආ මගේම අප ගමන අරඹා තවත් ඉසව්වක් බලා යාමට තීරණය කළේ අද දවසේ තවත් කාලය අපට ඉතිරිව තිබූ හෙයිනි. එහෙයින් හාලි ඇළ සිට බණ්ඩාරවෙලට පැමිණි අපි හපුතලේ බලා යන අතරමග පරිසරයේ සුන්දරත්වය විඳීමට අමතක නොකළෙමු.

ක්‍රමයෙන් හපුතලේ හරහා පෙර දින පැමිණි දුර්ගය බැසීමට පටන්ගත්තේ බෙරගල තෙක් පිහිටි එම කොටසේ සුන්දරත්වය නැවතත් නරඹමිනි. පසුව අප හල්දුම්මුල්ල පසුකොට කළුපහන හන්දියෙන් ලංකාවේ උසම දිය ඇල්ල ​ෙවත ගමන් කරන මාර්ගයට හරවන ලදී. මෙම මාර්ගය ‘යක්ෂයාගේ පඩිපෙළ’ ලෙස හඳුන්වන බෙලිහුල් ඔය සිට ඔහිය හරහා හෝර්ටන්තැන්නට යා හැකි ළඟම මාර්ගය වේ. නමුත් මෙම මගේ දුෂ්කරතාව ඉතා වැඩිය.

මිට බොහෝ කලකට පෙර අපි යතුරුපැදි මගින් ගල් බොරලු, ගල්කැබලි, විශාල වළවල් සහ තිරිවාන ගල් කැබලි පිරුණු දැඩි අබලන් මාර්ගයේ ගමන් කළෙමු. වංගෙඩිගල සිට බළකඩුව හරහා ගොම්මෝලි කන්ද පැහැදිලිව දැක ගත් අතර තවත් පසෙකින් අපි ගලපිටගල කන්ද දැක ගත්තෙමු. හීන් සීරුවට කිසිදු හදිසියකින් තොරව කඩා වැටෙන බඹරකන්ද දියඇලි කොමළිය දුටු අතර යතුරුපැදි නවතා ටිකට් පතක් ගෙන අපි ඇල්ල පාමුල පිහිටි වේදිකාව අසලට ගියෙමු.

හොඳහැටි ගත දොවාගෙන බඹරකන්දට ඉහළින් වනය තුළ පිහිටි ලංකා ඇල්ලද නරඹමින් අපි ගමන නිමා කරන්නට සිතුවේ රාත්‍රියට පෙර නිවෙස්වලට යා යුතුව තිබූ හෙයිනි. මුහුණුපොතේ Travel in Srilanka-Sobasiri පිටුව හා සම්බන්ධ වී ඔබටත් මෙවැනි සුන්දර ස්ථාන ගැන දැනගත හැකි අතර මෙම මස එළිදක්වන ලද ක්‍රියාදාම චාරිකා දෙවන කොටස හරහාද ඔබට සම්බන්ධ විය හැක.

On the way to Narangala

Narangala seen from the road

Reaching to the edge of the mountain

Target is there

Time for a capture

Beautiful Morning

All over the Mountains

At another edge of the Mountain

More peaks to identify

Last part of the peak

At the peak of Narangala

Another side seen at the top

Again we captured this beautiful

The path we come

Sun rising over the hills

Above the clouds by Shashi

Peak of Narangala by Shashi

Feel it, its like an aeroplane ride by Shashi

Nearby Mountains coverd byu mist by Shashi

Still it fresh and simply wow

Another day spent at a Mountain

Online Article – http://www.lankadeepa.lk/sunday/rasawitha/වලාකුළුවලටත්–උඩින්-ඉන්න–නාරංගල-කන්ද-නගින්න/57-537392

Thanks for reading!

Sobasiri Team © 2018

Kalubowitiyana is a mountain situated between Kalubowitiyana and Dewalegama Villages. When I and my friend travel around Neluwa area we saw this mountain on the way and it was looks like SripadayaSoon after I saw a photo of this mountain in a FB group. After few weeks we planned this hike since friend of my friend is in Dellawa and he was able to have a well-known guide for this mountain.

We came to the village by our bicycles and parked them at the guide’s home and we started the hike by carrying enough water and some snacks. From Dellawa, this mountain could be seen as an Elephant and that was remind my visit to Kobonilagala at Knuckels. From another side, this mountain is like Lakegala/ Sripadaya peak. There is a small foot path up to a place called “Puja Gallena” which was having the ruins of an “Aramaya’. After that we have to enter to the thick jungle and walk towards the hill. Since there is no any footpath, we had to always listen to the guide’s views and from a side I was keep my eyes on offline google maps where I was mapped the peak earlier. However guide was able to take us from safe paths and he taught us about the trees and the old stories about this area.

As he said it is very rare to see hikers on this mountain except the nearby people. However within 2 hours we were able to come to the 1st peak which is like the head of the elephant. And then we climbed further to the next peak which was having the highest point of this mountain. Finally within 4-5 hike we came to the highest point of the mountain and we were lucky to confirm that point as per a survey department mark was on a rock surface.

Few meters from this place there is a view point where we could see the nearby areas and mountains. But unfortunately we didn’t see much due to the dark and misty clouds over the sky. There is not a big space on that point and we had our meals and rested for few minutes.

After that we got down to the village from another path which was much doubtful. Since there is no any phone signals, people might be lost at the forest if they go without a guide to GPS support. When our water finished guide uncle shows us a survival method. He cut one “Weniwelgeta” roots and we collected that herbal drink to a small cup. That was a brilliant solution on a forest hike but hope not to promote this method because useless people might cut roots for hobby.

Finally we came to the village after having 7 hours hike and out of that 7 we were totally wet for 3 hours and donate blood for the blood suckers as well.

After that we wanted to have a good bath and we went to the Dellawa Duwili Fall which was not popular among the travelers. That is about a 20 feet mini waterfall having a large pool and we walked along the stream and reached to another small fall.

Mountain seen as an elephant

Journey started

At the primary level of the hike

More to go

A small flat area

Reaching to a rocky wall

Like a small cave

Asking for helps

Giant rock wall

Reaching to the top

When we look back in our future

At an edge

We almost at the Top

Surrounding beauty

Malith shows the next direction

Beautiful nature

Achieved the summit

Suddenly we saw something familiar

Its-the-land-mark-of-Surveys-visit

Other mountains situated Mr

Creatures

Nearby Beauty

Under the heavy mist

A waterfall near Dellawa fall

Nearby beautiful creation

Dellawa Waterfall (1)

Dellawa Waterfall (2)

Had a small bath

Thanks for reading!
Sobasiri Team © 2018

Sri Craft Village is a private resort which is owned by a young entrepreneur named Sameera. I saw a picture of this cave on their Facebook page and soon after I called to Sameera and asked about the cave as I’m cave explorer. As he said he leased this property for 30 years from the Kandy Dewalaya. This property belongs to Kandy Dewalaya but currently owned by Sri Craft Village under the leased agreement.

However as a Travel Journalist I was able to have a special permission to visit this cave only. Hence I arranged a Saturday and visited the places as it was mapped in google maps. Sameera arranged me 2 boys with ropes and water bottles and we ready to start the hike after the breakfast. There are two main paths to the cave. First path is about 4km hike through a forest and Algama waterfall. It is much difficult than 2nd route.

Second route is very easy but there is no much experience about the forest and sceneries. One of guide told us about some other small caves and water spring at the route one and we decided to have the experience with first route.

Hike started from the back of the resort and we climbed the nearby small mountain through the rubber estate and reached to a summit and we could see up to the Colombo harbor over there. After that we walked along the rocky plain and met the mentioned water spring. It was covered by bricks and pipe lines attached to the nearby villages. After that we got down to another side and walked about 1 km through the dry forest. Again we reached to a rubber estate and met the stream which creates Algama waterfall. We walked 200 along the stream and stopped at Algama waterfall for a while.Again we walked to the left side rubber estate and reached to a Banana planting estate where the last house of this situated in Nilvalagala Mountain. Nilvalagala Mountain is about 150m height Mountain and we reached to the summit with in minutes. After that guide took us to the ridge of the mountain and we got down to the rocks by sitting on the rocky plain. And we reached to an open cave and walked 10m towards the opposite side where the dead end located.

Then we arranged our ropes and one of our guide got down to the cave in 1 minute. Because there are only 4 steps to get down to the large cave from the dead end. But the risk is that 4 steps are situated in 90 degree slope of the rock face. Hence we need a rope to avoid any life risks on the way to get down to the cave. Finally we entered to the cave and the surface of the cave is too big. There can be accommodate for 30 people easily. When we go to the inner corner of the cave we could see the beautiful view of the cave as an “Eye”.

That is why we called it is the “Eye of the mother Nature”. The mountain we can see from the front is the mountain where we saw the water spring. Apart from that we could see few small mountains over there which are named as Gerandigala, Bambaragala, Panihela.Resort was located in Egodagama and Sameera’s home is at Puwaththawala where the second route was located. Ground area of the Nilvalagala Mountain is called “Elipallama” and we could reached “Kella watichcha wala” on that area. As per folk fares King Walagamba used this cave to build his army and him hideout here for some time.

Actually there is a path inside to the rock but we cannot go towards that area due to the entrance is too small.After few hours we left to reach the resort from the other side and it took just 1 hour to reach to the resort. Caving and camping at the top of Nilvalagala Mountain is offered by the resort as they are planning to introduce cave hunting with safety equipment in near future.

Sri Craft village hotel under construction

Hike started from the back of the hotel

A small cave on the way to the first mountain

Natural Spring source

This water still use by the villages

Reaching to the first mountain

Surrounding beauty

Nilvalagala seen from the first mountain. Cave marked

Algama waterfall side

Entering to the Ruber estate

Reaching to the Algama stream

Crossing of the stream

Hike to the top of Nilvalagala from its base

At the top of Nilvalagala

Getting down to the cave along the rocky wall

Risky journey

Another small cave before the original one

This part we should get down through a rope

Our guide reached to the cave

At the dead end of thecave

Two of our guides

We at the Nilvalagala Cave

More exploring of the cave

Eye of mother nature

The cave is continued more

Its an eye

Nirosh at a risky climb

This is how we reached to the cave

Thanks for reading!

Sobasiri Team © 2018

Sandamadala is a mountain situated at the northern border of knuckles massiff. We planned this hike during a dry day. We travelled to Naula via Kandy and Matale and then we turned to Elahera road and again turned to Opalgala road at Ambana junction.

We were lucky to see the Amban gaga with misty environment and for a while we thought that the whole river is like a volcano. We were there about 30 minutes and continue our journey to Opalgala. As I called to the Grama Niladhari before he warmly welcomed us and gave the instructions and other useful tips for the hike. However as we got to know we walked along the footpath which is goes parellaly to the stream and reached to the remote village called “Kotagala”. Kotagala is the base of Sandamadala but erronously a villager showed a path to a mountain which we reached mistakenly.

That mountain is Galbada Mountain and then we saw that the Sandamadala is infront of our view. However when we go back to the village suddenly we missed our path and then I called to Niroshan to know the path.And then he told us about the Kotagala village and some important landmarks overthere. After that we again came to Kotagala and met a farmer overthere. He was very innocent and he guided us to the base of the Sandamadala. After that we hiked through a mana busy land and sometimes we were falled due to the bushes. Within 45 minutes we came to the top of Sandamadala and had a rest. We identified Karagahathanna Mountain and some other familiar mountains in Matale side. Further we saw Moragahakanda and Galbada village and another hidden waterfall which is far away from Sandamadala.We spend our day and had two mountain experience and returned back to our vehicles around 4pm. Then we had a bath over the stream and had a chat with some villagers. After that we continue that road to Rattota and reached to Matale.

Misty Amban gaga (1)

Misty Amban gaga (2)

Morning view of Amban Gaga (1)

Morning view of Amban Gaga (2)

On the way to Kotagala village

Footpath was along to the stream

Water level was bit low

Foot path to the Village

Sandamadala Seen

Foot path (1)

Foot path (2)

Foot path (3)

Entering to Kotagala village

Morning Refreshed

Heading to Galbada Mountain

At the top of Galbada Mountain

Real view of Sandamadala

Karagasthanna Towers

Sandamadala and Karagasthanna area

Driend water spring at Galbada Mountain

Getting the right path to Sandamadala

Sandamadala is in right side

He showed the correct path

Top of Sandamadala seen

Climbing more with surrounding view of Matale mountains

Arangala seen

View towards Mathale

Mana bushes

Difficult path

We fully covered by Mana bushes

The mountain infront of Sandamadala

Mountains through Kumaragala

At the top of Sandamadala

Where we were

Back view of Sandamadala

Mountains

Mountains through Karagasthanna MWE

Nature creations

Giants

Collegue enjoying the view

We explored more

We at the top of mountains

Beautiful nature

Getting down to the village

Crossing mana bushes

Came to the village

The path we entered to the from the village

The landmark, Kovil

Cross the stream and walk few meters to the botique

Moragahakanda seen from Sandamadala peak

Thanks for reading!

Sobasiri Team © 2018

ගලපිටගල අද්භූත මානව රූපය කෙටුවේ කවුද ?

ගල් නොහොත් පාෂාණ ලෙස හඳුන්වන වස්තුව සමස්ත පෘථිවිය පමණක් නොව විශ්වයේ ග්‍රහ​ෙලා්කවල පවා තිබෙන දෙයක් බව අද වන විට සියල්ලෝම දනිති. ඕනෑම තැනක, විශේෂයෙන් කඳුකර ප්‍රදේශවල ගල්කැබලි, ගල්කුට්ටි හෝ ගල් පර්වත ඕනෑ තරම් දැකිය හැකිවීම සුලභ දෙයකි. පුරාතනයේ සිට මානවයා නැතහොත් මිනිසා විකාශනය වීමේ සිට ඔහුගේ දෛනික ජීවිතයට ගල් සම්බන්ධ වී තිබුණි.

ගල් ආයුධ, ගල් ගුහා සහ පසුකාලීනව මූර්ති ඇඹීම සඳහා පවතින ගලම භාවිතයට ගැනීම ඔවුන්ගේ විකාශනයේ විවිධ අවධි කියාපායි. එවන් ගලක කෙටීමට සැරසුණු නමුත් අතර මග නැවතු මිනිස් රුවක් පිළිබඳ වඩාත් ප්‍රචලිත ලංකාවේ ඉසව්ව නම් ගලපිටගල නම් ස්ථානයයි.

එය ස්වභාවික පිහිටීමක් නොවන බවටත් මිනිස් රුවක් කෙටීමට උත්සාහ කළ බවත් සලකුණු සොයාගෙන ඇත. එම දුර්ගය තුළ අදටත් නොඉඳුල් ස්ථාන පවතින අතර ගලපිට ගල පිළිබඳ අබිරහස සොයා අප බෙලිහුල්ඔයට ගියෙමු. චිලී රාජ්‍යයට අයත් පැසිපික් මුහුදේ පිහිටි අරුම පුදුම දූපතක් ඊස්ටර් දූපත (Easter Island) ලෙස හඳුන්වන අතර එය 1995 වසරේ යුනෙස්කෝ ලෝක උරුමයක් බවට පත් කළ ස්ථානයකි. එම දූපත වඩාත් ප්‍රසිද්ධ වන්නේ ස්වභාවික ගලේ මිනිස් මුහුණු 887ක් නෙළා තිබීම නිසාය. දූපතින් විවිධ ස්ථානවල මෙම අද්භූත ගල් රූප ඇති අතර මේවා මෝයි (Moai) වරු ලෙස හඳුන්වන අතීතයේ විසූ රපා නුයි (Rapa Nui) ග්‍රෝත්‍රිකයන් බව කියැවේ.

මෙම ගල් කුට්ටි මත විවිධ ආකාරයේ මුහුණේ ඉරියව් දිස්වෙන මානව රූප සමූහයකි. මේවා අතීතයේ විසූ ග්‍රෝත්‍රිකයන් නිර්මාණය කළේ කෙසේද යන්න ගැටලුවක් වන්නේ මෙම කැටයම් නෙළීමට භාවිත කළ උපකරණ පිළිබඳව සොයා බැලීමෙන් සහ තාක්‍ෂණය විමසා බැලීමෙනි. මන්ද දැවැන්ත ගල් කුට්ටි මිනිස් ඔළුවක් ලෙස නිවැරදිව කපා ඇස්, කට, නහය සියුම් ලෙස ඉරියව් ගත කිරීමට තරම් සුමට උපකරණ මීට වසර දහස් ගණනකට පෙර පැවතුණේද නැත්නම් මෙම ග්‍රෝත්‍රිකයන් හට මේවා නෙළීමට වෙනත් ග්‍රහලෝවාසීන්ගේ සහය ලැබුණේද යන්න විස්මය ජනකය. තවද මෙම මුහුණු තුළින් ඔවුන් කීමට උත්සාහ කළේ කුමක්ද? මෙලෙස නිර්මාණය කළ හේතුව තවමත් අබිරහසකි.

මෙවැනිම ආකාරයේ ගල් කුට්ටියක මානව මුහුණක් නෙළීමට ගත් ලාංකේය උත්සාහය මීට වසර ගණනකට පෙර දිවයයි. ගල්පිටියාය පුද්ගලික වතු සමාගමේ උඩවේරිය දෙසට එනම් උතුරු – ඊසාන මායිමේ පිහිටි ගලපිටිගල නම් ගල් කුට්ටිය වන සංරක්‍ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට අයත් වස්තුවකි. දේශීය විදේශීය සංචාරකයන්ගේ අවධානය තවමත් යොමුව නැති මෙම ස්ථානය පුරාවිද්‍යාත්මක බවින් වැදගත් ස්ථානයක් ලෙස ගවේෂණය කළේ ආචාර්ය රාජ් සෝමදේව මහතා විසිනි.

බෙලිහුල්ඔය පසුකොට කළුපහන හන්දිය වෙත ළඟා වූ පසු එතැන පිහිටි නාම පුවරු මගින් ඔබට දැකගත හැක්කේ ලංකාවේ උසම දියඇල්ල වෙත ගමන් කළ යුතු මාර්ගයයි. ප්‍රධාන මාර්ගයේ සිට බඹරකන්දට යන මාර්ගය ඉන් පසු යක්‍ෂයාගේ පඩි පෙළ ඔස්සේ උඩවේරිය හා වෙස්ට් හපුතලේ වතුකර හරහා හෝර්ටන් තැන්න මාර්ගය පිවිසුම අසලට වැටේ. ලංකාවේ සංචාරයට රුසි සැමගේ අභියෝගාත්මක ඉසව්වක් ලෙස මෙම යක්‍ෂයාගේ පඩිපෙළ හැඳින්විය හැක.

තවද සිතියම් අධ්‍යයනයේදී අප දුටුවේ කි.මී. 12ක් පමණ ගෙවා දුෂ්කර මාර්ගයේ ගමන් කළ යුතු උඩවේරියවත්තට ගලපිටියාය වත්තේ සිට මහ වනය මැදින් ගමන් කළ හැකි බවයි. කෙසේ නමුත් අප අද දවසේ තරණය කළ යුතු ගලපිටගලට යාමට නම් කළුපහන හන්දියේ සිට බඹරකන්දට යන විට හමුවන ප්‍රථම මංසන්ධියෙන් දකුණට හැරී ගලපිටියාය වත්තට ගමන් කළ යුතුය. පටු වංගු සහිත මාර්ගයේ ඉහළට ගමන් කරන විට පසෙකින් ඔබට ලංකාවේ සිටින තවත් දැවැන්තයින් පිරිසක් දැක ගත හැකිය.

එනම් වංගෙඩිගල, බළතුඩුව සහ ගොම්මෝලිය කන්දයි. මීට වසර කිහිපයකට පෙර එම කඳු සියල්ල හීන්සීරුවට තරණය කළ අයුරු අපට සිහි වූ අතර ඈතින් අපට පරවියන්ගල කඳු මුදුනක් පවා දැකගත හැකි වූයේ අප කඳු නැගීමට ලක් වූ හෙයිනි. ක්‍රම ක්‍රමයෙන් හිරු මෝරාගෙන අහස්කුස එළිය දෙන විට ළා හිරු රැස් අතු පතර යටින් මාර්ගයට බැස ඔය මොබ සලිත වන බව අප දුටුවේ ගුවෙන් රැඳී මීදුම් සළු පහව යන විටය.

කෙසේ හෝ ගලපිටයාය වත්තට හැරෙන මාර්ගය අසලට අපි පැමිණි පසු එම වතුයායට ඇතුළු වූයේ පූර්ව අවසර ලබා තිබූ හෙයිනි. තේ කර්මාන්තය ප්‍රධාන ආදායම කොටගත් වතුයායේ පසෙක සංචාරක බංගලා සහ නිවාස පිහිටා තිබුණි. නාරංගොල්ල ඔය සමීපයේ ඒවා ස්ථාන ගත වූ හෙයින් කඳු මිටියාවත පාමුල සුන්දර දියඇලි පිරුණු නිස්කලංක පරිසරයක් එහි තිබූ බව අපි දුටුවෙමු.

නියමිත ඇතුළුවීමේ ගාස්තු ගෙවූ පසු අප තරණය කළ යුතු කන්ද පාමුලට පැමිණියෙමු. පසෙකින් උඩවේරිය කන්දත් යකාගේ පඩිපෙළ ‘‘වී’’ කැපුම පිහිටි කන්දත් වංගෙඩිගල කඳුවැටියත් නෙතු මානයේ දර්ශනය වූයේ නිලට නිලේ දිලෙන වාසි රහිත සොඳුරු කාලගුණ තත්ත්වයක් යටතේය. තේ වත්ත මැදින් ගමන් ඇරඹූ අප ක්‍රමයෙන් සිග්සැග් ක්‍රමයට කන්ද නගිමින් මානා පඳුරු යායට පිවිසුණෙමු.

වියළි කාලගුණය නිසා පෙරදින සරුවට වැඩුණු මානා ගස්වල උස අඩි 4ක් පමණ විය. මාන යායට පැමිණිය ද අපට ගලපිටගල දැකිය නොහැකි විය. එය ඈතින් පෙනෙන ගල් වැටියට සඟව ඇති බවත් ආසන්නයට යන තෙක්ම අපට දැකිය නොහැකි වනු බවත් කල්තියාම අප දැන සිටියෙමු. චණ්ඩ හිරු රැසට නිරාවරණය වූ අප ලිස්සනසුලු පසට අඩිය තබමින් මානා කැලය මැදින් වැටුණු කුඩා අඩි මාර්ගය දිගේ ඉහළටම ඇදුණෙමු.

ක්‍රම ක්‍රමයෙන් කන්ද නගිමින් ඉහළට ඇදෙන විට එක යායට දෘශ්‍යමාන වූ කඳුවැටි රාශියක් දකුණු ප්‍රදේශයෙන් අපට දැකගත හැකි විය. එහිදී කුරගල පිහිටි කඳුවැටිය පහසුවෙන් හඳුනාගත හැකි වූ අතර සමනල වැව් හා කල්තොට සිට නමුණුකුළ තෙක් අපට පුළුල් වපසරියක් දැකගත හැකි විය.

හෝරා දෙකක ගමනකින් පසුව අප ගලපිටගල ගල් පර්වතය අසලට පැමිණියෙමු. පින්තූරයට දකිනවාට වඩා එම ගල් පර්වතය විශාලය. තනි විශාල කළු ගල තවත් කුඩා සම්බන්ධයක් පිහිටි ගල වෙත දරා ඇත. ගලපිටගල අඩි 30ක් පමණ උසවන අතර වට ප්‍රමාණය අඩි 10ක් පමණ වේ. මෙම ගලේ මුහුණ ලෙස ඇඹීමට උත්සාහ කළ බව. පෙනෙන්නේ කන්ද දෙසටමය. එය ගලපිටියාය වතු ප්‍රදේශය එනම් දකුණු දෙසට නොපෙනේ. එම මුහුණුවර බලා සිටින්නේ උතුරු ඊසාන දස දිශාව බව මාලිමාව මගින් අපි නිශ්චිත කර ගත්තෙමු. මුහුණුවර වඩාත් හොඳින් බැලීමට නම් තවත් මීටර 20ක් පමණ කන්දේ ඉහළට නැග ගත යුතුය.

හල්දුම්මුල්ල ප්‍රදේශය ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ඓතිහාසික යුගවල ජීවත් වූ මානවයා පිළිබඳ සමහර සාක්‍ෂි හමුවූ ප්‍රදේශයක වාඑළිය නම් ප්‍රදේශයේ පිහිටි හුණුගල් තලා, ගුහාවක තිබී සොයාගත් පුරාවස්තු වසර 5000ක් තරම් අතීතයට යන බව අනාවරණය විය. තවද එම ගුහාව අතීතයේ ස්ත්‍රීන් සඳහා යාතුකර්ම සිදුකළ ස්ථානයක් බවටත් එහි හමුවූ මූර්තියක් ගලපිටගල පිහිටි මිනිස් මුහුණට සමාන ලක්‍ෂණ පෙන්නුම් කරන බවත් එය ගවේෂණය කළ මහාචාර්ය සෝමදේව මහතා නිගමනය කරන ලදී.

ගලපිටගල පර්වතයේ මුහුණේ ඉරියව් අංග ඉස්මතු කිරීමට උත්සාහ කළ බවත් කාලාන්තරයක් මුළුල්ලේ වූ ස්වභාවික හේතුන් මත අද වන විට යම් යම් පතුරු ගැලවීම් ඛාදනයවීම් නිසා මුහුණේ සම්පූර්ණ පෙනුම විනාශවී ඇති බවත් පර්වතයේ මුඛය හා කම්මුල් ඉස්මතු කිරීමට ගත් උත්සාහය මැනවින් දැකිය හැකි බවත් ඔහු පැවසීය.

මූර්තියේ නළල මත යමක් තැබීමට උත්සාහ කළ බවත් එහි එවැනි ලකුණක් දැකිය හැකි බවත් නිගමනය විය. උතුරු කඳුකරය දෙස බලා සිටින මේ අත්භූත මිනිසා මෙලෙස ඉතා උස් කඳු මුදුනක කෙටීමට හේතු පාදක වූයේ කුමක්දැයි නිශ්චිත කළ නොහැක. විටෙක පහළ ගම්මාන හා ප්‍රදේශවල ජීවත් වූ මානවයා ඉහළ කඳුකරය හෝ ගුවන්තලය දෙසින් වන සතුරු උවදුරු හෝ ස්වභාවික උවදුරුවලට ආරක්‍ෂාව පතා මෙම මූර්තිය නෙළීමට ඇත්ද නැතහොත් සක්වළ සම්බන්ධතාවලට පිටුවහලක් වීමට හෝ භයානක සතුන් පලවා හැරීමට මෙම මූර්තිය නෙළීමට ඇත්දැයි අපට සිතාගත නොහැක.

පුරාවිද්‍යාත්මක පැත්තෙන් මෙලෙස විශ්ලේෂණ ගවේෂණයේදී ගලපිටගල හා එම ප්‍රදේශය පිළිබඳ අපූරු වෙනස් කථාවක් අපට දැනගැනීමට ලැබුණේ ගලපිටයාය වතු කළමනාකාර හසිත මහතාගෙනි. ඔහු පවසන ලෙස මීට වසර කිහිපයකට පෙර ඔහු​ ගලපිටගල ආශ්‍රිත වත්තේ සංචාරය කරන විට ඔහුට වෙනස් ආකාරයේ ගල් කැබලි කිහිපයක් හමුවී ඇත. පසුව ඔහු අන්තර්ජාලය හරහා සිදුකරන ලද සෙවුම්වලදී එම ගල් උල්කාපාත කැබලි බව ඔහුට පෙනුණි. වත්තේ එක්තරා ස්ථානයකදී ඔහුට මෙම උල්කාපාත කැබලි හමුවී තිබුණි. එහි සිට ගලපිටගල පර්වතයට වැඩිදුරක් නොතිබුණු බව ඔහු පැවසීය.

කෙසේ හෝ ඔහු මෙම උල්කාපාත කැබලි රජයේ නියමිත ආයතනවලට භාර දුන්නේ වැඩිදුර ගවේෂණ සඳහාය. අැතැමුන් ගලපිටගල පිටසක්වළ ජීවීන් සමඟ මුතුන් මිත්තන් සබඳතා පැවති ස්ථානයක් බවට සිතන අතර ලෝකාන්ත හෝටලය දෙස සිට බලන කල ගලපිටගල මුහුණ පිහිටි ගල් පර්වතයට පහළින් සම්බන්ධිත ගල් කුට්ටි කුඩා ඇඟ කොටසක් ලෙස දැකිය හැක. එනම් කුරුමිටි මිනිසෙකු ලෙසය. ඔළුව ඉතා විශාල නමුත් ඇඟ ඊට වඩා සාපේක්‍ෂව කුඩා ජීවි කොට්ඨාසයක පෙනුමක් එහිදී දැකගත හැක. ගලපිටගල සහ හෝර්ටන් තැන්නේ බෑවුම් වන මෙම ප්‍රදේශය තුළ රාත්‍රී කාලවලදී වෙනත් ප්‍රදේශවල දැකිය නොහැකි අතිශය අලංකාරවත් අහසක් දැක ගත හැකිය මේ බව අප මෙම ප්‍රදේශවල රැය ගෙවූ අවස්ථා 4ක සේම අද දිනයේ රාත්‍රියේද දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි.

එය නම් අධික තරු පිරි අහසක් පැවතීමය. තරු රටා කිහිපයක්ද හඳුනා ගත හැකි අතර මෙම ස්ථානයට ඉහළ අහස මුළුමනින්ම පාහේ නිල් තරු කැට මිලියන ගණනකින් වැසී තිබුණි. රාත්‍රී අහසේ කළු වර්ණය වෙනුවට මෙම ස්ථානයට ඉහළ අහස අධික නිල් ගතියෙන් යුක්ත විය. එය අප සිවු වරක් දුටු ප්‍රායෝගික තත්ත්වයක් විය.

කෙසේ හෝ ගලපිටගල විවිධ ඉරියව්වලින් ඡායාරූප ගත් අප පසුව එම කන්ද ඉහළට ගමන් කළෙමු. ගලපිටගල කන්ද ඉහළම ස්ථාන මීටර 1356ක උසින් යුක්ත විය. ගලපිටගල පර්වතයේ සිට කන්ද මුදුනට නැගීම දුෂ්කර සේම අවදානම් ගමනකි. ගල් කුළු ගල් කුට්ටි අතරින් හීන් සීරුවට අඩි තබමින් ඉහළට යාමට සිදුවන අතර සුළු අත්වැරැද්දක් ප්‍රපාතයේ පාමුල ඔබගේ මළ සිරුර රැඳවීමට තරම් ප්‍රමාණවත් බව මතක තබා ගත යුතුය.

එසේ ඉහළ නගින විට අපට කුඩා ගුහාවක් හමු විය. එය ස්ථාන කිහිපයකින් විවර වී තිබූ අතර ගල් කැබලි රාශියක් එහි ඉහළ සිරාවට රැඳී තිබුණි. ඉහළම ස්ථානයට නැග ගත් විට කැඩී ගිය​​ ජෝගුවක් ආකාරයෙන් යුත් ගල් පර්වතයක් විය. එහි සුමට ලෙස වක්‍ර වූ කොටසක් විය. බුමර ඇල්ලේ සිට ගලපිටගල කන්දට අප නගින වි ඒ අසල වූ ගල් පර්වතයක විශාල අත්ලක සලකුණක් වැනි කෙටූ ස්ථානයක් අපට දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි. ගලපිටගල කන්ද මුදුනට නැගගත් පසු ගලපිටගල සිට පහළ වතුයාය දක්වාද සමස්ත පරිසරයේ අංශක 240ක පමණ විවෘත අවකාශය පැහැදිලිව දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුණි.

කන්ද මුදුනට නැගගත් පසු ලෝකාන්ත හෝටලය (Worlds End Lodge) යන අඩිපාර තිබූ අතර අපි දවසේ ඉදිරි කටයුත්ත පිණිස උඩවේරිය කන්ද දෙසට ගමන් කරන්නට සැරසුණෙමු. කටු පඳුරු පීරගෙන ගල් වැටි ගල් කුට්ටි මතින් පනිමින් කිලෝමීටරයකට වැඩි දුරක් ගමන් කළෙමු. අප ගමන් කළේ හෙළට සමාන්තරවය. එසේ ගමන් කිරීමේදී නාරංගොල්ල ඔය නිර්මාණය කරන තවමත් මෙරට කිසිවෙකුගේ නෙත නොගැටුණු කුලුඳුල් දිය ඇළි 20ක් පමණ අපට දැකගත හැකිවිය. සෘජුවම මීටර් 500ක පමණ දැවැන්ත හෙළක් වූ එම දුර්ගයට යාම අතිශය දුෂ්කර හා කාලය ගත වන්නක් බවට අපට පසක් විය. මන්ද උඩවේරිය කරා යන ගමනේදී මෙම කන්ද මත නිම්න හත අටක් පමණ අපට පසු කිරීමට සිදුවිය.

දුරට එම ස්ථානවල මීටර 100ක පමණ අංශක 90 බෑවුම සහිත නිම්න තිබෙන බව පෙනෙන්නට නැතිමුත් එ්වා අපට දැක ගැනීමට ලැබුනේ කුලුදුලේම මිනිස් පය නොතැබුණු ස්ථාන මතින් අසීරුවෙන් යන්නට වූ නිසාවෙනි. කෙසේ හෝ රාත්‍රිය උදාවන විට ගමන හමාර කරමින් අප නැවතත් කළුපහනට පැමිණියේ දවසේ අලුත් අත්දැකීම් රාශියක් සමගිනි.

ඊස්ටර් අයිලන්ඩ් සංකල්පය ලෙස ගොඩනැඟුණු ලංකාවේ අබිරහස් මානව රූප වන ගලපිටගල අත් දෙකෙන් සෙලවිය නොහැකි නමුත් ඇඟිල්ලෙන් සෙලවිය හැකි බවට පහළ ගම්වාසීන් අතර මතයක් තිබුණ ද ගල පිහිටි ගලට ගාව තිබූ බැවින් එවැන්නක් සිදු නොවිය හැකි බව අපට ද පසක් විය. උතුරු කඳුකරය දෙස බලා සිටින මේ මිනිසා හෙළ ශිෂ්ටාචාරය ආදී මිනිසාගේ මුහුණුවරද? නැත්නම් වානර මුහුණක්ද? නැත්නම් යම් කිසි පුද පූජාවකට නෙළීමට කළ මූර්තියක්ද? නැත්නම් ශරීරය කුඩා හිස විශාල පිටසක්වළ ජීවියෙකුගේ රුවක්ද යන්න තවමත් අබිරහසකි. නළල මැද කෙටූ ස්ථානයේ කුමක් තැබීමට ඔවුන් උත්සාහ කළේද? එහි යමක් තිබූ නමුත් පසුකාලීනව ඒවා සොරුන්ගේ ග්‍රහණයට ලක් වුණාද යන්න තවමත් අබිරහසකි.

මෙවැනි අබිරහස් රාශියක් පිහිටි ගලපිටගල අබිරහස් කලාපයට අප සමුදුන්නේ හිතේ වූ ප්‍රශ්න රාශියක් සමගිනි. ඒ ගලපිටගල අසාමාන්‍ය පිහිටීමයි. තවද කුලුඳුලේම දැයට දායාද  වූ නාරංගොල්ලේ දිය ඇළි 20 තවමත් මිනිසාගේ ඇසට හසු නොවී තිබීමත් ඒ ආශ්‍රිත දැකිය හැකි හෝ සොයා ගත හැකි තවත් ගල්ගුහාවක් වේනම් ස්වභාවික නිර්මාණ මතු දිනක ක්‍රියාදාම චාරිකාවකින් ගවේෂණය කිරීමට හිතැතිව අපි ගමන අවසන් කළෙමු.

Walking from Galapitiyaya Estate

Wangedigala, Balathuduwa and Gommoli range

Getting closr to Galapitagala

This is how Sri Lankan treats to the history

Close view of the Galapitagala

Galapitagala

The Alien face

Heading to the top of the mountain

Near the rock

Facing obstacles

Top pf the mountain was there

Facing obstacles (1)

Facing obstacles (2)

Facing obstacles (3)

Another rock arts

Closer to the mountain top

Galapitagala was far away

Final steps of the mountain

At the top of the mountain

Rocky mountain adjoining to the Bumara falls

Zoom view of Galapitagala

Galapitiyaya Estate office and Galapitagala

Surrounding environment

Galapitagala viewed as an alien from Worlds End Lodge side

View up to Kuragala and Kalthota

Pano 1

Pano 2

Pano 3

Online Article – http://www.lankadeepa.lk/sunday/rasawitha/ගලපිටගල–අද්භූත–මානව-රූපය–කෙටුවේ-කවුද—/57-525296

Thanks for reading!

Sobasiri Team © 2018

Map around Alakole ella

Map around Agunakole ella

Last May when we did Duwili ella trail from Etanwala we met few of our friends who decided to get down from Ranamure side and they sent me the Kmz for my future references. Going through the Kmz I noted that the trail goes parallel to Ranamuru oya for about 4Km’s and there were few waterfalls to be seen on google imagery. The early inter-monsoons was the next trigger factor  which tempted us to go ahead and explore these cascades. 3 of us left at 3am from Chilaw on a Sunday to reach Ranamure around 8am and after inquiring from locals they guided us with proper directions towards these cascades and they even gave names for 3 significant waterfalls.

Moragahakanda reservoir

reverston , Pathangala, Karagastenna & Inguruwaththa kanda

yakkunge hela, gombaniya, kirigalpoththa

reverston and pathangala

Ambokka

Keselpathdoruwa, wamarapugala, alugal lena kanda, thunhisgala, Knuckles

Lakegala

Yakkunge hela & Gombaniya

Since the late afternoon showers was an issue we hurried uphill along the clear trail to Duwili ella hoping to explore most of the waterfalls as possible. On the way the path runs very close to Bambarungahana ella and after passing it there is a small ascent. After that Ascent we came to a junction where the left path leads to Agunukole waterfall. We headed along the main path(right) and reached the gal poththa with a stream and we crossed the stream and headed towards Aswedduma abandoned paddyfield. There was a faintly marked foot path which we followed and reached the most significant waterfall of Ranamure oya which is Alakola ella. Since it was at full flow the beauty of the cascade was inexplicable. From here we tried to climb up and after moving few hundred meters towards the right we climbed along few creepers to reach the upper canopy and we tracked back towards the stream to view two other beautiful cascades above Alakola ella. We had a tough time getting to these cascades and the pouring showers made things worse. If you are attempting to reach these upper falls be careful because climbing up and getting down could make you loose your path.

on the way

path

exit from the village

Ranamure oya

.	right path to Aswedduma and Duwili ella, left path to

Gal poththa ella

Alakole upper part and a seasonal fall seen from gal poththa

entering Aswedduma kumbura

ruins close to aswedduma kumbura

Upper Alak0la falls 1

.

Upper Alak0la falls 2

Alakole

Elusive Alokla falls

.

crab	misty path

We hurried back to the Gal poththa where these upper cascades could be seen and took the right hand descending trail to Ranamure (the left path will take you to Duwili ella). We reached the junction which I mentioned in the previous paragraph and took the path towards Agunukole waterfall. Few hundred meters along that path we reached the main Agunukole waterfall which was the 2nd significant beauty with a deep base pool. 50m downstream there was another waterfall which we named as lower Agunukola fall.

elephant dung

Agunukola fall

Agunakole

base

.	top of Agunukola fall lower

Agunukola lower fall

.

After visiting these beauties we descended back along the Ranamure trail and on the way payed a visit to Bambarun gahana ella. With the aid of satellite maps we headed back along the normal trail and at one point again we headed towards the stream and continued along the stream until the very last waterfall close to the village was reached. This part of the journey was tiresome because we had to go along the stream. After reaching the village we had a nice bath at Ranamure oya before leaving this lovely village with a satisfied memories.

Dimbulagala seen

work of the elephant

on the way back

Bambarun gahana ella

7°29’34.78″N 80°49’2.99″E

7th fall

clearing Maussa

top of 8th fall

kudagala punchi sigiriya seen

.

.	7°29’59.81″N 80°49’21.56″E

8th	top of 9th

.	9th – 7°30’1.73″N 80°49’26.48″E

tackling rocks

10th

11th	12th – 7.502161, 80.828438

The map

Google map

A Gloomy period but I wanted to get away and Keshan also wanted to go somewhere. I suggested a rocky mountain which is clearly seen to the A10 road close to Weuda area which I have noted on many instances. Though we could have climbed up from Waraddana side we thought of climbing up from an easier side. We then headed towards Bokkawala – Udahena village because there was a quarry at the base of the mountain. But after reaching the quarry we were not granted permission to enter the site by the security guard. So we had to think about other options. Both of us decided to first climb Gommunawa and then descend to the valley in between the two mountains and and climb up Thalavgala.

Thalavgala as seen from A10 at Weuda

the summit as seen from the road

We started climbing up from a location close to the quarry gate and after about 10 minutes of climbing we came across a Mana patch which we were not prepared to tackle. With a difficult climb we reached the top of Gommunawa where it was a grassy garden which someone ones lived and there was a Bo tree which was planted by villages to approve our assumptions. I must say its a lovely place to leisurely camp. There were few view points but unfortunately the gloomy weather obscured it.

on the way to Gommunnawa peak

peak of Gommunnawa

peak	Thalavgala seen from Gommunnawa

.

.

.

pera

From Gommunawa we started descending to the valley and on our way we had to hike close to the rock quarry. After reaching the marshy land of the valley we entered a small tea patch and started climbing up through an abandoned Coffee / Cocoa estate. Within 30m minutes we reached the ridge of the mountain with a lovely view and from there we walked towards the summit with mana.

getting down

gommunnawa seen after the descent

climbing up to Thalavgala

.

.	summit of Thalavgala seen

wow

beauty

The view from the Thalavgala summit was splendid and the paddy fields at the base of it provided some stunning scenery though it was a gloomy day. We noted Weuda kanda, A10, Handurukanda, Parape, Alagalla, Athugala, Ibbagala, Yakdessagala, Dolukanda and after moving along the range towards Kurunegala side we also saw Bisogala twin peaks.

After enjoying the windy summit we returned back to the valley and reached the quarry site which was not functioning because it was a public holiday. After exiting the quarry site we had a nice wash from a home made tank before departing back with lot of scratch marks on our palms.

green

.

A10

.

.	Alagalla covered

Parape range

Handurukanda range

summit

Weuda kanda

Gommunnawa seen

landscapes

paddy

.

Yakdessagala

Athugala, Ibbagala & Andagala

Handurukanda

.

.

.

Dolukanda seen

Bisogala

camping spot

framed

.

Cocoa

Kithulgala is a popular travel destination situated at Colombo-Hatton road. It is famous among genera public as people come here for a bath at rapid Kelani River. And it is the only place in Sri Lanka where white water rafting is practiced.
Apart from all these Kithulgala has another value due to some waterfalls situated around. This is my attempt to cover waterfalls and some common travel destinations around Kithulgala.
Tourists attractions at Kithulgala are situated either river side of the road (A7) or opposite to the river. This is an easy clarification.

Places on river side

1. Theligama Suspension Bridge / තැලිගම සoගිලි පාලම (6.996965, 80.359676)
Theligama is the junction situated before Kithulgala. There is a suspension bridge still using by the villagers to cross the river. You can get a nice view of suspension bridge from the new bridge.

Theligama suspension bridge over Kelani River

Theligama suspension bridge

Early morning view of Kelani River

Kelani River

Crossing the river

Theligama suspension bridge

Theligama suspension bridge

Theligama new bridge

2. Makandawa forest reserve and it’s waterfalls

Makandawa forest reserve is a rain forest situated closer to Kelani River at Kithulgala area. Therefore the river to be crossed to reach the forest reserve. The famous bathing place of Kithulgala (Oruthota) is situated behind old rest house and it’s the place where people cross the river by “Paru”. Once you cross the river there is another 500m walk to enter the forest reserve.
If you need to reach the entrance of forest reserve by vehicle, river to be crossed by newly built bridge situated about 2km towards Hatton side from Kithulgala town.

Kelani River at Kithulgala

Kelani River at Kithulgala

It is the transport method of people at Parawalathenna

Follow the path at Parawalathenna village to reach Makandawa rain forest

Makandawa rain forest

Makandawa rain forest has set paths to visit few interesting places. It is bordered by small water streams draining to Kelani River. Makulu Ella and Lenthiri Falls are two waterfalls situated at Makandawa rain forest. There is a site map at the entrance to guide you but you can get a paid guide as well.

The path to Makulu Ella is straight forward. If you follow the foot path starting at entrance without any turns, it ends at Makulu Ela. Just before few meters to Makulu Ela, there is a foot path on right hand side to reach the base of Makulu Ella.
Seems Makulu Ella divides into two part, but vertically. Foot path ends at this first part where you may think it as Makulu Ella. But the roaring sound of proper Makulu Ella will call you as it sits next to this part.

Enter to Makandawa rain forest

Site map. Just get a snap and save it in phone. It will guide you.

The office

Set paths

Makandawa Rain Forest

Set paths at Makandawa Rain Forest

Set paths at Makandawa Rain Forest

Set paths at Makandawa Rain Forest

The place of old bridge between Kithulgala and Pallebage

Makulu Ela to form Makulu Ella

Directions to Makulu Ella: White arrow shows the direction to Makulu Ela. Sanjeewa is showing the foot path to base of Makulu Ella.

Summer hut near Makulu Ella.

Reaching Makulu Ella

Makulu Ella/මකුලු ඇල්ල
This 8m tall waterfall is situated in Makandawa rain forest belongs to Kegalle District. Makulu Ela (මකුලු ඇල) forms this waterfalls before it joins with Kelani River. There was a bridge about 100m above Makulu Ella, which connects Pallebage and Kithulgala. (Now it can’t be seen). Because of presence of different spider species (Makulu-මකුලු) around the fall, it is called Makulu Ella. It flows as a cascade.

Makulu Ella-1st part. Proper Makulu Ella is situated lateral to this.

Top of Makulu Falls

Makulu Ella-1st part

Proper Makulu Ella

Makulu Ella

Lower part of Makulu Ella

At Makulu Ella

Makulu Ella

Makulu Ella

Makulu Ella

Our next target was Lenthiri /Lenkiri Falls situated at Makandawa forest. When you come along the path starting from office, there is a left side turn to Lenthiri Falls. If you follow this road it will bring you to the top of Lenthiri Falls, but it’s not worth. We got direction to base of this beauty.
We crossed a small water stream first where you can see a cultivation done for demonstration purpose. It is a nice place with small paddy field and a small house made in wattle and dub. We went further along the path and crossed next water stream-Maha Ela (මහ ඇල). Soon you cross this stream, you may come across well paved path in left which brings you to top of Lenthiri falls. Fainted foot path in right side is to base of the fall. With ascends and descends along this path you will end up at base of Lenthiri Falls.

Back to foot pathway

Cultivation at forest reserve for demonstration

පාලම	Path to Lenthiri Falls

Crossing Maha Ela. Here you have left side path to top and right side path to base of Lenthiri Falls.

කුඹුර

Close up…

Hike to Lenthiri Falls

Lenthiri Falls / Lenkiri Falls / ලේන්තිරි ඇල්ල / ලේන්කිරි ඇල්ල
This waterfall flows as a cascade and lower part is 20m in height. It flows as three steps

This is the beauty we came across

Lenthiri Ella / Lenkiri Ella

Lenthiri Ella / Lenkiri Ella

Lenthiri Ella /Lenkiri Ella

Lenthiri Ella /Lenkiri Ella

Lenthiri Ella /Lenkiri Ella

Side waterfall at Lenthiri Ella

Top of Lenthiri Falls

At Lenthiri Ella

I am at Lenthiri falls

If you can crawl along the side of the fall, can reach the top. But we didn’t attempt this as rock was slippery following last night rain. We came back to same junction and followed well paved road. About 100m before the end, another foot path in right side to the top of the fall. Here you can view top parts of Lenthiri Falls.

Top of Lenthiri Falls

Upper part of Lenthiri Falls

Upper part of Lenthiri Falls

Upper part of Lenthiri Falls

You will end up on top of the stream if you continue along the path without getting the turn to top of the fall. Here the water stream flows on long slab rock where you can have a nice bath.

Top of the stream

Top of the stream

This is a good bathing place

Having a bath…

We followed the same path back and got right side turn to Ahaslen Kanda (අහස් ලෙන් කන්ද). The path was clear up to second water stream and then we couldn’t follow the foot path. Most probably nobody has been there for a long time.

Back to foot path

Clipper / Parthenos Sylvia

Rest place

Turn to Ahaslen Kanda

We couldn’t find the path beyond this water stream

Mush room

Mush room

We have noticed a camp site within the forest reserve closer to a water stream. It would be a nice experience to camp here. Basically we covered main attractions of Makandawa rain forest. Then we followed the same path up to the entrance and left Makandawa rain forest.
Our last target of the day was the “bridge of River Kwai”.

“The Bridge on the River Kwai”
The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 British-American epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the novel Le Pont de la Riviere Kwai (1952) by Pierre Boulle. The film uses the historical setting of the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942-1943.

This film was made in Sri Lanka and bridge was built over Kelani River near Kithulgala. The filming of the bridge explosion was done on 10th March 1957, in the presence of S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike, the prime minister of Sri Lanka.

This place has nothing to see except some iron staples embedded in the rock at middle of the River.
You have to drive another 1.5km along Hatton road from Kithulgala town and small foot path can be seen in right side mentioning Bridge of River Kwai. This foot path brings you to the bank of the River. A large construction is going on here to build a new bridge (connecting Kithulgala and Parawalathenna) and a power house.
Kelani River is dammed at Polpitiya and water is tunneled here to operate a power house. This would affect the beauty of Kithulgala and white water rafting.

Where you get the turn to see bridge of River Kuwai

This is the only remains of the bridge. Iron staples embedded in the rock (circled)

New bridge and power plant

They are building a tunnel by screwing the rock.

Places on opposite side of the river

1. Kithulgala Beli Lena / කිතුල්ගල බෙලි ලෙන (7.002222, 80.435778)

Kithulgala Beli Lena is a cave where pre historical human has lived. After passing Kithulgala town about 800m towards Hatton, Mahabage road (මහබාගේ පාර) is seen in left hand side. You have to get the direction to Beli Lena from locals. (We followed a different road to reach Beli Lena cave). Last part of this road has been severely damaged with rain. On our way to Beli Lena we could see Wewithalawa (වෑවිතලාව) with it’s towers. This mountain can be seen most of the time at Kithulgala.

Wewithalawa is seen

Zoomed view of Wewithalawa. ITN towers.

?? Ahas Len Kanda at Makandawa forest reserve

Road side beauty

Road side beauty

Road is severely damaged

Beli Lena Falls / බෙලි ලෙන ඇල්ල

Beli Lena is situated at edge of Ingoya Mountain (ඉoඔය කන්ද) about 2000feet above sea level. It is believed prehistoric human-Homo sapiens balangodensis (බලoගොඩ මානවයා) has lived here 32000 years ago. They have found a skeleton of about 16000years old, some pre historic tools, salt and beads of pre historic humans at this cave. These humans have eaten snails (ගොළු බෙලි) and it’s evidenced by shells of snails (බෙලි) found in this cave. That’s why it is called Beli Lena.
Later this cave has become a Buddhist temple and some constructions can be seen. You can see three caves here and one water stream flows in front of second cave forming slim waterfall-Beli Lena falls-බෙලි ලෙන ඇල්ල

Steps to Beli Lena

Entrance to Beli Lena cave

It is situated at Ingoya Mountain

Constructions of a Buddhist temple

Foot path

Cave-1

In between cave-1 and cave-2

In between cave-1 and cave-2

Cave-2. Excavation has been done here.

The places of excavation is bordered here. Actually pre historical men lived in a deep cave than this.

Some later construction

Some later construction

Dropping from the edge of the cave

Beli Lena Falls

Beli Lena Falls

Drops…

View of Wewithalawa from Beli Lena

Cave-3. No excavation done here. This cave has some branches.

Beli Lena cave-3.

How Beli Lena is situated at Ingoya Mountain. Area of Beli Lena is circled…..Beli Lena falls is shown by arrow.

View of Beli Lena falls

Our next place of visiting was Handun Ell. There was a terrible road to the top of Handun Ella from Beli Lena. We got directions from locals and passed Athulauda primary school. At the end we parked our bike at a rubber estate and followed the foot path. This foot path meets a gravel road and walking few hundred meters along this road could hear the sound of the fall. There was a foot path to the top of the fall from gravel road. Handun Ella is a famous place for waterfall abseiling.

Handun Ella is seen to the road

Terrible road to Handun Ella from Beli Lena

Followed the foot path

Crossed a water stream

මීවන

We have reached the gravel road. Anupama is showing the foot path to top of the fall. This gravel road is connected to a main road from other side.

Foot path connected to top as well as base of Handun Ella

Reached top of Handun Ella

The base of Handun fall from top

Garbage collection at top of the fall

We continued down along the same foot path to reach the water stream formed by Handun Falls. In this journey we have missed the side path to the base of Handun falls. As we reached the water stream somewhere down, we had to go up stream to come to the actual base of the fall. It was the opportunity to watch few cascades situated below Handun Falls.

Handun Ella lower cascade-1

Handun Ella lower cascade-1

Handun Ella Lower cascade-2

Handun Ella Lower cascade-2

Handun Ella Lower cascade-3

Handun Ella Lower cascade-3

Patterns made by water

Patterns made by water