This was an unforgettable trip had by the three of us. This took 3 days and covered 4 provinces as we have started our journey from Kadiyanlena falls and end up with Duwili Falls at Neluwa. This is one of our favorite trips as we were able to cover many waterfalls and places. Especially apart from this tour I couldn’t able to roam around Rakwana or Deniyaya areas.

We had a plan to visit waterfalls and we followed the route map by our motorcycles and were able to cover all the targeted places without any issue. Since I had only a compact camera Sony, WSC series one we were unable to take some photographs of roadside waterfalls due to the battery level and rainy situation.

This report will show the areas that we have covered during the 3rd day after waking up at the Guest House – Rakwana. Our first target was the Morning side and we followed a difficult route to the morning side.

• Handapan Fall
• Galdola Fall
• Sooriyakanda Bends
• Morning Side
• Hathmale Fall
• Duwili Fall

Handapan Falls/ Plains and Galdola Falls

This is the first time that I saw these beautiful Handapan falls and the plain since it was not a rainy day the water level is a bit low. However, we went up to a bungalow which is the nearest view of the falls and turned back to the Rakwana town. And then we had to find a place to spend the night and we were able to see the Galdola falls too.

Handapan Plains and the forest area

Mountain range

Clear Sky

Handapan Ella

Handapan Falls

The plain

Beautiful Bungalow

Another view

At a stream

Malith was there

The valley

Galdola Falls

Tourism board Bungalow

When we searching for a good place to spend the night found this beautiful location and were able to arrange one room for three of us. Food and rooms are quality and there were only us hence we spent some time in the night discussing about the journey and tomorrow plan.

Entrance of the Guesthouse

The guest house

The view

Akila with our machines

Malith is posing

Guesthouse

Dining area

It is a calm place

Menu card

The view

Sooriyakanda 10 bends

This is also my first time being at Sooriyakanda 10 bends, unfortunately, I didn’t have any idea to capture many photos of this amazing road though we have enjoyed the views and the other attractions and the silent forest. Also, we heard some stories about this road which happened in the past and that may be a reason for us not to stop the bicycles during the ride. However, we stopped our bike at a area and took some photos with the help of my tripod and camera.

Roads to follow

We three at Sooriyakanda bends

Another pose

Missing my tripod and the camera

Morning Side

We didn’t have any plan to follow this route or the other route. However, since we met this entrance first we thought to use this route to the Morning side. Though we thought this can be reached by bicycles we had to park our vehicles near the tea estate and informed tea pluckers and walked about 6-7km to the Morning side. Morning side is a beautiful area and we were able to find a doggy for guiding us and we had faced many obstacles such as venous snakes, plenty of leeches on our naked legs, mist with the darkness, lack of drinking water, massive hunger.

Entrance of the Morning side

Name boards

The road with bends

Riding and riding

No more bikes, have to walk

Mountains

Akila is in action

More mountains

Time for my picture, Sooriyakanda towers behind

Beautiful road under the shadows

More to go

Our guide

Sinharajaya forest and Handapan Plains at right

Entering the heaven

Love to walk

Fantastic view

Another pose

Return journey

Mountains all around

The walking path

More to go

Ta estates

Time to leave

Hathmale Falls

After having lunch we were able to reach the Hathmale waterfall which was not difficult to find. There were enough name boards and as usual, we contact several people to get the directions. It was a beautiful fall and there were only three of us at that time hence we had enough freedom to feel the waterfall and the stream. We didn’t have a bath but crossed the stream to the other side and climbed up the waterfall.

First view

The waterfall

Hathmale waterfall

The view

Malith in action

Another view

Akila is in action

My time

Side view of the fall

Another view

How it flows

I’m in the middle

Jumping

The fall

Sky	Hathmale Fall

Top part

The path

Time to leave

Neluwa Duwili Falls

Finally, we headed to Duwili falls located at Neluwa. That is the last attraction of our journey and the day as well. We planned to visit it and go back to Moratuwa via Mathugama. We reached Duwili falls around 5.30 pm and parked our vehicles and got some information from the people around there and followed the staircase to the waterfall. It is actually a collection of 2-3 small falls and we reached the top side of the route around 6.15 pm and it was in the darkness. However, we left from Duwili falls around 6.45 pm.

Low part of the chain

With flash

Side views

Staircase

The Fall

Another view

Darkness came

Surrounding

Milky

My friends

Time to leave

Darkness

Thank you for reading!

Sobasiri Team ©

On the 23rd of July, Poya day suddenly I thought to have a visit in few archaeological sites in Gampaha district which are not yet to be covered by my selfy. Hence I talked to Achintha and he agreed to meet at 3.00 pm at Yakkala junction. So, I had a route plan and we met at Yakkala and one by one visited the below places. There was a little shower at 5.00 pm when we were at Pettagamgala Kanda and able to stay few minutes over there and continue our pilgrimage tour after the rain.

1. Ewariyawala Ambalama
2. Koskandawila Purana Viharaya
3. Pettagam Kanda Thapowanaya
4. Ambagaspitiya Ambalama
5. Pilikuttuwa Purana Viharaya and the Mountain

Ewariyawala Ambalama (ඇවරියවල , හවරියවල අම්බලම)

Ambalama is way side rests in Sri Lanka built during ancient times by kings, the wealthy or some times by the villagers on main routes between towns. When the primary mode of transportation was on foot, wearied travelers spent nights these Ambalamas.  Sometimes these Ambalama’s were used as meeting place of the village where important decisions were discussed and made.

Awariyawala Ambalama lies in the Gampaha District and is believed to be built by king Wattagamini Abaya aka king Walagamba (89-77 BC). The ambalama lies in a picturesque landscape on a flat rock adjoining a small pond. It is believed that this pond and the building was used by a wife of the king Walagamba for bathing.

It is said that the wife lost her Hawariya ( artificial hair extension) at the pond and the pond came to be known as Hawariya Wala which later became Awariyawala.

Alternate Spellings : Avariyawala Ambalama, Averiyawala Ambalama, Aweriyawala Ambalama

Article by – Amazing Lanka

ඇවරියවල අම්බලම හෝ හවරියවල අම්බලම යනු ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ දැකගත හැකි, ඉපැරණි අම්බලම් අතුරින් එකකි. එය ගම්පහ දිස්ත‍්‍රික්කයේ, යක්කල වීරගුල ආසන්න හැවනිවල ග්‍රාමයේ පිහිටා ඇත. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ පුරාවිද්‍යා ආරක්‍ෂිත ස්මාරකයක් ලෙස වර්තමානයේදී මෙම අම්බලම, රජය විසින් නම් කොට තිබෙන අතර නාමකරණය 2002 වර්ෂයේ නොවැම්බර් 22වන දිනදී රජයේ ගැසට් අංක 1264 යටතේ සිදුකොට තිබේ.

වළගම්බා රාජ්‍ය සමයෙහි වාරණ, අත්තනගල්ල, මාළිගාතැන්න හා කැළණිය වැනි විහාර වෙත යාම ඒම පිණිස මට්ටාගොඩ, කොස්කඳවල හා අඹගස්පිටිය වැනි ගම්මාන හරහා මංමාවත් වැටී තිබූ බැව් ඉතිහාසයේ සඳහන් වේ. එම මාර්ගයන්හී ගමන්ගත් ජනයාගේ විඩාව සංසිදුවා ගැනීම සඳහා එම මංමාවත් අසබඩ පොදු පරිහරණය පිණිස අම්බලම් සහ පිංතාලි විවෘතව තැබිණි. වත්මන් හැවනිවල ප්‍රදේශයේ පවතින ඇවරියවල අම්බලම, වළගම්බා රජ (ක්‍රි.පූ. 89 – 77) දවස ඉදිකරන ලද්දක් සේ විශ්වාස කෙරේ

මෙම ස්ථානය වළගම්බා රජු සහ බිසවුන් ජලස්නානය සඳහා පැමිනි ස්ථානයක් ලෙස සැලකේ. එසේ පැමිණි අවස්තාවක වරක් බිසවගේ හවරිය මෙහි අමතක වී යාම හේතුවෙන් මෙම අම්බලම, එතැන් සිට හවරියවල අම්බලම නමින් හැදින්වීමට පටන්ගත් බැව් විශ්වාස කෙරේ. කෙසේනමුදු හවරියවල යන්න බිදීගොස් වර්තමානයේදී එම ප්‍රදේශය හැවනිවල නමින් හදුන්වයි.

Source – Wikipedia

Here is it

Full Area

It’s their property

Closer look

Paddy fields

Ewariyawala Ambalama

Interior of the Ambalama

Interior of the Ambalama

Interior of the Ambalama

Interior of the Ambalama

The view

Do not bath here, it’s deepest about 15-20 feet

Small Buddha statue near the Ambalama

View from the statue

The road

Surrounding

What a place to spend a day

The Foundation

Closer view

Interior of the Ambalama

Inside of it

Archaeological sign

Front view

Combined view

They are well experienced

The view

This place is too deep

Lovely

Pano more than 180 degree

Koskandawila Ancient Temple කොස්කඳවල ශ්‍රී සුනන්දාරාම පිරිවෙන් රජ මහා විහාරය

Koskandawala Sri Sunandarama Piriven Raja Maha Vihara (Sinhalaː කොස්කඳවල ශ්‍රී සුනන්දාරාම පිරිවෙන් රජ මහා විහාරය) is an old Buddhist temple in Koskandawala, Sri Lanka. The temple is located on Yakkala – Radawana road approximately 2.66 km (1.66 mi) away from Yakkala town. The temple has been formally recognized by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka.

Koskandawala Raja Maha Vihara The temple is located on Yakkala – Radawana road, approximately 2.66 km (1.66 mi) away from Yakkala town. the Koskandawala Raja Maha Viharaya is also known as Koskandawala Sri Sunandarama Piriven Viharaya The temple is from the period of Anuradhapura Kingdom (377 8.0. 1017 AD).

The image house is situated in the main rock cave. Both the image house and the Dharmasala is now protected buildings as per The Department of Archaeology. These monuments were declared by the government Gazette notifications published on 1 November 1996 and 7 July 2016.

The entrance

Archaeological sign

Rock walls

The place

The giant rock in the back

Rocky wall

The area

More to see

How is it?

Lovely place to Rock Climbing

More to go

Small viewpoint at the back of the Boo tree

Here is the giant

It’s calm

See the size

Inside

Paintings

Inside paintings

The place to remember

It’s very clean

At the entrance

Time to leave

Pettagam Kanda Isisara Thapowanaya

Once A King who was dethroned by the invading armies sought its’ sanctuary. Its’ caves and tunnels were hideouts to to the escaping king Walagamba and his entourage in the first century BC ; today it shelters meditating monks who whispers sutra to the morning breeze.

Pettagam Kanda is a stony mountain with a unique shape and a history. Shaped as a pettagam or a huge box it gives the onlooker an impression of fragile positioning despite having stood its ground since eternity. The single Buddha statue which rests in a cave under the huge box shape stone reflects the tranquil atmosphere while the top of the mountain unfolds great vistas of Varana, Pilikuttuwa and Maligatanna, three historical cave temples of Sri Lanka.

A left side turn from the Dikkanda junction on the Yakkala- Kirindhiwella Road and a steep climb leads to ‘Isiwara Thapowanaya’  a monastic meditation centre which has spread over the ‘Pettagam Gala’ mountain and its surrounding forest . The rock is visible almost just after the turn and presides majestically over the road leading to monastery and mountain.

A newly built white washed stupa on the rock heralds the temple and demands silence and composed behaviour befitted to a monastery. Yet the sounds of monkeys breaks the silence often while the surrounding forest also reside fox, wild bore and fishing cat.

The rock caves are distributed under and around the ‘Box’ shaped rock with a yet to be explored tunnel complex. A steep path down the rock  leads to caves with tunnel, which starts as an uninteresting small, crawl-able opening to the rock yet 10 meters inside the tunnel it enlarges into a seven feet high tunnel which leads to other tunnels creating a labyrinth.

The caves and the tunnels were believed to have been used bu King Walagamba but are homes to pack of foxes and  horde of bats, who shrieks out at the first sound of humans. The other end of the main tunnel opens to the opposite side of the ‘Pettagam  Gala’ which gives a fine view of ‘Dikkanda walauwa’, an old mansion once owned by a Sri Lankan aristocrat.

Article by Here

Little shower at the entrance

Here is it

View of Dikkanda Mansion and it’s factory

Wet rocky plain

Darkness

Beautiful view

Amazing structure

Lovely

Another view

Closer view

From another side

Clear view

The factory at the back of Dikkanda Mansion

The pagoda

View of small mountains

Surrounding

Natural

Shades

Another view

Surrounding villages

The dead-end

Time to sunset

Seen on the way

The road to the top

Small one at the entrance

This is the bottom of the Pettagamkanda

It’s was now closed but a lake during the rainy season

View from the road

Ambagaspitiya Ambalama

Ambagaspitiya Ambalama is a 18th century wayside rest built on granite pillars in Mahara Divisional Secretariat. The ambalama is situated on the Yakkala-Radawana road, 4.7 km from Yakkala. The ambalama is built with 12 granite pillars  with a design similar to the Gallindawatta Ambalama few kilometers away.

A half height brick and mortar wall goes around the ambalama with a entrance on the northern side. The granite pillars are decorated with various carvings. The stone pillars have peculiar carvings depicting the scenes of Ramayana such as the Hanuman with the chunk of earth with medicinal plants, which are all rare themes in Sri Lanka. The pillar top (pekada) is made of wood and is exquisitely carved. The roof is the typical kandyan style (doubled pitched hipped roof) and tiled with semi cylindrical barrel clay tiles (sinhala ulu).

Article by – Amazing Lanka

අඹගස්පිටිය අම්බලම

The Ambalama

Ambagaspitiya Ambalama

At the entrance

Entrance to the Ambalama

An elephant

Another picture

The roof structure

The notice

By Archaeology

Nice roof design

It’s so strong

Another special mark

Some more

More

There are few like this

Inside of the Ambalama

View from the road

The Ambalama

Achintha was there

Side view

View from the back

Roof

Pilikuttuwa Rajamaha Viharaya

Pilikuththuwa, if you have heard of that name before is full of pleasant surprises. Quite apart from being a virtual paradise for the nature lover, with dramatic rock formations and a wilderness filled with nature’s finest art, its origins can be traced back to pre historic times.

Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Viharaya  , set in idyllic surroundings, is the best place to begin an adventurous day . We were there at 5.30pm. When we parked our vehicle under some coconut trees, the unsullied morning environs were filled with soft sweet bird calls.

It is believed that the Pilikuththuwa cave complex includes some 99 caves spread over an area of about 200 acres. The caves are cut with distinct drip ledges to prevent rain water from falling into the interior, which, to some extent, is proof of their one time habitation, 77 of these have been identified and their numbers are marked on each cave.

As indicated by archaeological excavations carried out in this area, there is evidence that Pilikuththuwa was inhabited during pre historic times.

Three rock inscriptions have also been found cut on the drip ledges of three of these caves and have been dated to the pre-Christian era. The letters have been recognized as Brahmi characters

At the entrance of the temple we were greeted by an ancient square pond which was bereft of water. Here we met Sunil who was sweeping the temple garden and who gladly agreed to show us around. Later he was joined by Anura and Kaluhami the dog. Passing this we could see a Bodhiya and the Vihara Lena which housed the image house and the Chaithiya Lena under which stood a small dagoba.

A fascinating rock placing made a striking setting for the Vihara Lena and the adjoining dagoba. Some large precipitous rocks rose high and leaned precariously in sheer drama while a tangle of foliage and creepers made an amazing backdrop.

According to scholars it is possible that the Vihara Lena was originally used by meditating monks and was later converted into an image house during the Kandy period and further improved in the Kotte period.

Anura opened the door of the image house for us.

A unique painting of two Portuguese soldiers some 4 feet tall, appeared to guard the entrance to the shrine room, replacing the traditional doratupala figures. This was just one example found here indicating that though the original paintings belonged to the Kandy period the complex had from time to time been influenced by the subsequent periods, even the Portuguese and the Dutch.

Various incidents pertaining to the Dharmapala, Mahakappa and Vessanthara Jataka stories, Arahats, sun and moon’ and illustrations of ‘Hell’ are shown in the temple murals.

It is said that the Pilikuththuwa Temple paintings reveal the quiet changes that the artists of the Kandyan period were undergoing. Even in the painting of a tree that is traditionally done in a geometric and a stylized manner, the Pilikuththuwa artist attempts to introduce the aspect of realism by painting the jak, mango, breadfruit and plantain fruit in easily recognisable artistic forms.

Another striking and spectacular part of the paintings are found on the ceiling of the rock cave. The canopy is decorated with lotus flowers in full bloom and their tendrils winding around. The 12 lagnas of the astrological chart along with their symbols are also featured in the artists own individual style. The colour combinations and designs are pleasing to the eye.

The image house includes an image of a reclining Buddha and the images of gods Vishnu and Natha.

Another smaller image house, the Devala Lena, situated on a higher ground, includes paintings and a Buddha image of recent origin. The temple’s Avasa geya, Dana sala and even a well for bathing are situated inside caves.

An interesting artifact is an ancient wooden bridge across a small stream between two caves. Having its origins in the Dutch period, the wooden arch, the wooden pillars, the wooden trellis, the wood plank flooring and the tiled roof combine and contrast with the looming rocks to form a quaint picture in a surprising manner. The stream that runs under its planked floor cannot be seen but the sound of its gurgling, rushing waters can be heard if you listen carefully. A little beyond, this subterranean waterway joins the picturesque Pilikuththuwa wewa.

While the history of Pilikuththuwa cave complex dates back to pre historic times, there is an abundance of folklore regarding its original use.

It is said that this cave complex, like the Mihintale cave complex, was dedicated to the Sangha by King Devanampiyatissa during that same period. It is also attributed to King Valagamba, who is said to have used these precincts as a sanctuary when he was fleeing the Cholan marauders.

It is also believed that the latter used this hideout when rounding up his army. Yet another story refers to the distressing reign of King Rajasinghe 1 of Sithawaka when Buddhist monks were persecuted .

The origin of the name Pilikuththuwa is also very much debated. It is believed that it originated from the word Pili Kotuwa Some believe that in ancient times this village had supplied clothes/ apparel to King Valagamba and hence came to be named Pilikuththuwa, as ‘pili’ in Sinhala means clothes. Others say that the royal clothes worn by his queen had been removed and kept at a cave here, and this was the reason for the name.

It will surprise you even further if I tell you that this natural haven lies less than 30 miles from Colombo, on the Wathurugama road which branches off the A1 at Miriswatte junction.

99 caves and still counting

“There are about 99 caves.” said Sunil. “To explore all 99 caves is not possible”, averred our new acquaintances Sunil and Anura, while Kalu hami the dog looked on. “Some of these caves are in private land and others are difficult to access”. “And it will take the whole day”, they insisted. So we decided to see as many as possible This was nowhere else but Pilikuththuwa, the little village rich in history and legend, less than 30 miles from Colombo. Here was found archaeological evidence dating to prehistoric times, and rock inscriptions identified as belonging to the pre Christian period. While legends that surround its rocky terrain are as many as its numerous drip ledge cut caves.

It is believed that the Pilikuththuwa cave complex includes some 99 caves spread over an area of about 200 acres. The caves are equipped with distinct drip ledges to prevent rain water from falling into the interior which, to some extent, is proof of their one time habitation. 77 of these have been identified and the numbers given them are marked on each cave.

The Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Vihara itself is housed in some of these caves. The Vihara Lena , the Devala lena, the Chaiththiya lena, the Avasa geya and the Dana Salas are some of the buildings that are still using the caves. These caves are easy of access and are situated in and around the temple itself.

But to see some of the other caves you have to climb and walk endless miles into the wilderness. And that is just what we did – with no regrets !

Sunil and Anura led us through a maze of caves, rocks and wilderness. Occasionally stopping to point out some rare tree, creeper or bush or relate a local legend associated with the area.

At times we climbed uphill and at times we walked downhill, at times on rocky plains at others on dank earth; sometimes our path was shaded by a canopy of tropical growth and sometimes we stood and looked down over their sea of endless crowns. And I completely lost my bearings. From time to time we emerged on to a cliff or summit and the distant hills gave us some idea of our position but it would have been far more interesting if we had brought a compass.

We walked, climbed, jumped, hung and crawled — from rock to rock and from mountain to valley. At one point we could get from one giant rock to the next only by way clinging on to its sheer surface with the aid of a typical Tarzan creeper.

At another point there was an option — thank God! — between swinging along on overhanging creepers and crawling through a bat infested cave. I chose the latter. Now, when I think of it, I can’t believe I did it.

An interesting cave we came across was locally dubbed Thoppigala lena. The rock formation was such that it formed a large, airy and ideal habitation. But what was unique was the almost circular hole, that was found at one end of the roof at the height of approximately 7 ½ feet from the floor.

The cave itself is said to be situated in a highly secure position overlooking a wide area. And this is basis for the local legend associating it with King Valagamba who is said to have used these precincts as a sanctuary when he was fleeing the Cholan marauders. It is of further interest to note that archaeological excavations carried out here in 1995 have revealed some coloured beads and pottery dating to the early periods and coins belonging to the Polonnaruwa and Dambadeniya periods.

Another cave with tough access revealed a rock pool . We climbed down the side of a huge boulder, beating back the thick scrub and even some thorny bushes. Apart from getting scratched, scraped and bitten all over by some insect, it was worth the while for the cave housed a rock pool with a smooth roof curving over and protecting it in a delightful manner.

And yet another cave could be accessed only by climbing up to it along the creepers that hung downwards from its roof. This was attempted only by the men in out party. And thankfully it was not on the way to the next cave. So I could easily ignore it. In fact every cave we passed through had its own awesome positioning and rugged beauty. The rock formations that aided the creation of the caves were incredible works of Mother Nature. It was like walking through chamber after chamber of granite marvels. While the granite alone caused wonderment, the variety of the tropical tangle that sheathed every possible nook and corner added to it, creating a perfect wilderness picture of an environment formed over aeons. And this is what I love so much and what makes places like this unique to our little island.

This Pilikuththuwa puswela is spread through a huge area and is said to be second only to the one at Sinharaja. It is also believed to be at least 500 years old. We looked for its roots and found them with some difficulty. It was a rare sight — from the deep crevices of sheer rock its thick root twisted and raised itself up, out of a great abyss towards the freedom of the wilderness. We climbed the surrounding rocks through dark and narrow crevices to get a better view. To take a good picture of this gnarled and knotted titan was almost impossible as its tangled branches twisted and crept in all directions in a mighty jumble. We emerged from its clutches and stood on the edge of a cliff with a whole lot of scenery below us.

Also not far from the Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Vihara is the Dig gala or the Dig Thalawa – a rocky plain, consisting of about 1 mile of rock mass with a height of about 750 feet above sea level. This is also called the Balun gala or the look out post. .

From here is visible the spectacular Gal mala. (coral) Out of a dense carpet of tangled green it soared upwards in an extraordinary arrangement. The vertical drain like depressions making waves in a down ward pattern. It is indeed an unusual sight.

On the far horizon Gampaha town can be seen. While closer up, and from another side, is seen the Valagamba Raja Maha Vihara and, from yet another side, the Maligathenna Vihara.

In quite another direction, and again by walking along a rocky plain, we made our way to the Valagamba Raja Maha Viharaya. On route we were introduced to the Kalantha bokka. A sheer abyss between two rocks, which is not for the faint hearted. At one point the distant horizon revealed the city of Colombo or so I was told.

But to me what was thrilling was the tropical scenery which spread like a green-gold carpet around the bottom of the rock. The paddy fields in the valleys were lit with luminous green. The coconut plantations leaning over in delightful grace, a variety of fruit trees in absolute abundance…. It seemed that here was everything !!

Article by – Amazing Lanka

At the entrance

Covered by a cave

It’s beautiful

Things to see

Like a small pond

View from there

Inside

Paintings

Paintings

Paintings

Through the darkness

The journey started from the Jungle path

We two only

More to go

Many caves to see

Achintha head the track

Another cave

We have to go there, see the darkness

More to go

Another cave

Wet rocks due to the rain

At the top and a few more to go

At the top

The top rocky plain

There were some people

It’s about 6.15 pm

Selfie at the end of the day

The back of the rocky plain

I mapped the correct top of the mountain over there since there were enough signals. Yellow is the wrong destination and the blue star is the Pilikuttuwa

Thank you for reading!

Sobasiri Team ©