| Year and Month | March, 2013 (28th to 30th) |
| Number of Days | Three Day Trip |
| Crew | 8 (between 20-65 years of age) |
| Accommodation |
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| Transport | Van |
| Activities | Visiting historic places |
| Weather | Sunny, very hot |
| Route |
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| Related Resources | |
| Author | Anjale |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
Day 1
We started the journey on 28th early morning at around 3.00 am. We reached Mahiyanganaya at around 11.00 am. Next, we visited was Maha Oya hot water springs where we had a bath.
 Mahiyangana Stupa |
 Senanayake Samudra |
We reached Ampara around 1.00 pm. We had to pick our two friends from Dayata Kirula exhibition stall. Therefore, we spent 1 or 2 hours visiting the exhibition. Next, 8 of us went to the friend’s place where we were spending the night. It was extremely very difficult to book a hotel or a government circuit bungalow as it was the Dayata Kirula exhibition period.
While on the way to the friend’s house, we stopped for a while near Senanayake Samudra. It was around 5.00 pm when we reached the house. Since, everyone was tired due to long journey and the hot weather, we decided to have a rest even though we had ample time to travel more.
Day 2
We started our journey for the day around 6.00 am and we prepared and took the breakfast with us. The first place we were planning to visit was Deegawapee stupa.
We reached there around 7.00 am.
There were interesting paintings in the shrine rooms which describes the history of the Deedawapee Stupa.
 Deedawapee Stupa |
 Shrine room |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 A picture which describes how a monk fallen from the stupa while the stupa is being constructed, was saved due to the power of Dhajagga Soothra – Click Image to Enlarge |
On our way to Deegawapeeya, we saw crocodiles having sun bath on a tiny island on a small lake. As we stopped our vehicle to get some photographs of them, they slowly slipped away into the water.
Next, we visited Deegawapee Pariwara Stupa. You have to travel in the same road towards Ampara a small distance and turn to another road to reach this place. This stupa is located on a small rock.
 Deegawapee Pariwara Stupa |
 Deegawapee Pariwara Stupa |
 Deegawapee Pariwara Stupa |
 View from the summit of the rock |
 View from the summit of the rock |
3 different stages of Sugar cane cultivation
After having our breakfast, we set off to Buduruwagala. Again, it was a temple on a small rock. Since, these days the climate was very sunny and very hot, it’s difficult to walk with bare feet even it was just around 9.00 am. So, we felt that if we could reached there little earlier, it would have being better.
 Buduruwagala rock |
 Tortise in the pond |
 Eagle trying to attack fish in the little pond on the rock |
 Skeleton of a tusker |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
After that, we set off to Monaragala.
It was around 2.00 pm when reached Monaragala. Lunch was ready at the circuit bungalow and we were so tired as the weather is very, very hot. We gobbled the food in no time.
After having a small break, at around 4.00 pm we decided to visit Maligawila and Dematamal Viharaya.
First we visited Maligawila. There are two important places at Maligawila, Lord Budda Statue and Statue of Avalokeswara Boddhi Sathva.
 Maligavila bear archaeological sites – Click Image to Enlarge |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 Lord Budda Statue |
 Statue of Avalokeswara Boddhi Sathva |
 Dambegoda Pillar Inscrption |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
Next, we visited Dematamal Viharaya. The name Dematamal Viharaya derives from ‘Dutu Mal Viharaya’. The legend says, after a small battle with King Dutugamunu, his youger brother Prince Tissa has seek protection from Sanga by arriving this temple. The chief Sanga, has asked the prince to hide under the bed.
 Dematamal Viharaya |
King Dutugamunu has suspected that his brother is in temple and has come to meet Sanga. When he inquired the monk about his brother, the monk has replied, Tissa Adehi Natha- Tissa is not on the bed.
The king has understood that this means, even though brother is not on bed, he might be under the bed. While worshipping the monk, he has bend, looked at under the bed and verified that he is there.
The king then ordered his men to guard outside the temple premises. The chief monk understanding that, Tissa won’t be ever able to leave temple premises in this condition, requested four monks to carry Tissa, pretending to carry an expired body of a monk.
King understanding it is Tissa, not a dead body of a monk, said ‘Tissa, Sangun Pita Noyaw”. Anyway, later the dispute between the two brothers was resolved by the guidance from Sanga.
Day 3
The last day of the trip, we left the circuit sharp at 6.00 am. First place we wanted to visit was Yudaganawa.
 Yuduganawa Stupa |
 Chulangani Stupa |
Yudaganawa is another place related with King Dutugamunu.
It is said that, Prince Gamunu went to hide in Digamadulla after a dispute with his father, King Kavanthissa. The dispute was the old king’s reluctance to fight with King Elara. After several years, King Kavanthissa expired and Prince Tissa came to throne.
Prince Gamunu received this news and requested his brother to give him the tusker Kandula and Mother Queen which are essential to be the inheritance of the throne. Since, Prince Tissa rejected the request; Prince Gamunu has no other option but to fight with his brother.
In earlier battles Tissa won against Gamunu as he was powerful due to his large royal army. Therefore, Gamunu had to be tricky to win the fight. In a battle at Yudaganawa, Prince Gamunu on his horse-back jumped across Tusker Kandula. The tusker feeling ashamed of the person who is handling him, threw Tissa down. Thus, Prince Gamunu came to throne.
It is also said that King Dutugamunu started the war against Elara from this place.
 Buduruwagala |
 A hole in the rock with a shape of a flame |
 Ruins in Buduruwagala area |
After that, we set off to Buduruwagala. The way to budurugawala was very beautiful. The path set across a beautiful village, along paddy fields and next a small jungle with lakes blossomed with red lilies.
It’s a really beautiful sight and we as travelers need to keep in mind not to harm its beauty.
 Way to Buduruwagala Ruins |
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 Way to Buduruwagala Ruins |
On the way, we saw Udawalawe tank and I could capture few photos.
We reached Ratnapura at around 12.00 pm. We decided to have lunch near Saman Deewalaya.
Udawalawe Tank and we can see a waterfall in a very far mountain range
 Saman Dewalaya |
 Sankapala Vihalaya |
On the way someone suggested us to visit another temple, Sankapala Vihalaya where one of King Dutugamunu’s giant men was later meditated as a monk.
 A ape family – son, mum and dad @ the temple |
We reached Colombo around 3.00 pm. I forget to mention, on 28th night, one of crew who was at Ampara, had seen this moon ring (220 moon halo) which is called ‘Chadra Mandala’ in Sinhala. This a very rare occasion as I know, since full moon and humidity of atmosphere is required for this phenomenon to occur
moon ring – ‘chandra Mandalaya’