Walasmulla

We have been asked many times to visit Walasmulla by Ruwan. His home town is Walasmulla so we made a day to visit him (30th of March, 2019). We used highway to Matara and then to Walasmulla by normal road. Due to dry season most of the water falls, water pockets were dry..

We stopped at Bisso Ella Waterfall (at Warapitiya), walked in to forest where water fall located. We were disappointed due to lack of water. We could only hear small streams but we enjoyed the sound of verity of birds.

Bisso Ella Waterfall at Warapitiya

Fist thing we went and purchase dry food items as he promised to take us to an isolated Aramaya (a place where monastery monks practice meditation) located in the high mountain in isolated area, away from the village and it's located in a forest reserved area. It is Rammala Aranya Senasanaya (in Google maps, it is Rammalekanda Monastery)

Rammala Monastery

Pathway to Monastery through forest

Shrine

By the time we reached the monastery it was 11:30, where the monks getting ready for their main meal lunch (daanaya) when we enter the aramaya, a sermon was given by one of the priest to the village family who bought the lunch and young Samanera priest asked us to visit the main shrine till they finish the sermon.

Later high priest came and spoke to us. We donated the dry rations and blessed by the priest who asked us to look around in the forest. Great place to meditate. However The laymen like us not able to be in a isolated place for a long time..?

We could hear lots of bird sounds there.. We recorded it and here you can listen..

In to the forest...

Entrance to Rammala Monastery - on the way back to vehicle park

After that, we continued to Ruwan's village. First thing we went for a swim. Kanishka and Lakmal enjoyed the swim as it was free clear water. Ruwan's friend joined with us  for a swim, on our way back we could see many birds excited to see some stranger in their land.

From left: Nihal (Me), Kanishka and Ruwan

An island in Muruthawela Tank

His mother made a delicious lunch thereafter we took a walk towards lake, took few pictures and we thought to take the boat (Oruwa) kayak. Ruwan is an expert in controlling the Kayak.

Nihal (me) and Ruwan

Ruwan

From left: Lakmal, Nihal and Kanishka

We visited the island it was late evening though we plan to stay in the island we changed our plan due to late arrangement as villagers made a rule by using kayak timings. After 18:30 no one is allowed to use kayak. Therefor we had to change our plan.

View from the island...

Birds in island...

The view was superb when we return it was almost dark . In front of the house we had a great time outside till 10 pm in the night in open sky. Many stars, satellites could visible in the clear night sky. We had pasta for dinner. No disturbance in the night.

Morning we had Kiribath (Milkrice) as requested by Lakmal. Then our adventure began when Ruwan took us his friend's Kayak around the Muruthawela Lake.  He showed us entire island fishing nets water birds, and scenic view of entire area. It was a great experience.

In the morning...

We returned to his house and packed our bags and thanked Ruwan's mother who made our stay very comfortable.

Ruwan with his mother..

Ruwan and his pet..

We departed from his area and came to see the water outlet station where they supply water to the village.

Ruwan

Kanishka's car.. This road heads to water supply station.

Then Ruwan took us to the canal where the lake water is delivered to other areas. The pressure of water is very powerful, it looks as a waterfall in high speed.

I thanked to people who put their energy and time to build this lake where all farmers & villages and all creatures depend on this lake and its waters hence we all enjoyed our adventure and swim with the nature... We all proud of our ancestors who made a great water civilization...

"Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake" (by Wallace Stevens)

Yapahuwa

Yapahuwa was one time the capital of Sri Lanka during the King Buwanekabahu the first in 13th century. The existing ruins give great details of rich culture. Specially how Royal Residence and Temple of Tooth Relic was taken care. In ancient time, the Tooth Relic was part of ruling symbols. Who ever possess Buddha's Tooth Relic, taken as the ruler of Lanka.

The Stone carving has highlighted how important was this Tooth Relic and given the best cultural significant to its carving.

Before you enter in to the premises there is a small temple among the cave where nowadays worshipers visited the premises. Today the temple  has only one monk who take care of the place.

Stone stairway has three sections, from ground to stone wall thereafter long 60 degree stairways the longest steps then third section entrance to Shrine.

Entrance stone carving has two lions, Pillars and Guard stone, dancer & drummers carved in stones  elephant head, dragon head given more weight to the carving.

One who reaches the shrine area could imagine the structure of the temple. From the temple window one could see the scenic view of the green landscape.

There was a pathway to climb up where you could see small cave type places monks could meditate. Just before top there is a pond which collects rainwater. On top of the rock small Sthupa and small shrine for worship.. three hundred degree view. Also breath taking.

Similar to Sigiriya there was a canal surrounded by the initial fortress. Due to drought we could not see water beside the patches of small water holes where monkeys plays in the water and pluck small lotus buds for their meal.

Near the car park there are few shops and the museum, the shopkeepers are from village nearby, try to sell few fruits, lemons which grown in those dry area. One shopkeeper said due to political struggle between temple and the cultural triangle, the development has stopped. Their income is subject to visitors specially school children who visits the place for education purpose, and the tourists who come do not have purpose to buy anything beside the entrance ticket which the income goes to cultural triangle.

Car Park & Shops

Museum

We are proud of our culture at the same time we create an income from tourism where local people can not benefit from that. It's pity how ruins ruin local income structure.