SERA ELLA

This beautiful Sera Ella fall, the subject of several poems, is situated in the Dumbara Jungle that is split into two sections, both 10m in height. Kitul Canal, from the Kaudagammana Mountain, and the Hunumadala River, from the Gonamada and Deyuthu Gammmaduwa mountains, flow in unison to form the Puwakpitiya River. 

This later joins Thelegam River, at which point the fall is created as the water tumbles down a protruding rock face, visible from Dumbara Jungle.

The fall flows all year around and  is at its fullest during the monsoon season, between November and March. The name of the fall derives from the ‘Sera’ species of fish that inhabits the water.

 

The fall is located in the village of Pothatawela, near Laggala in Matale District’s Laggala PSD. From Matale or Lagalla, travel to Illukumbura.

One of the interesting features of this fall is the cave behind the fall. Steps has been cut to reach this cave and can be safely reached even when the fall is at full flow.

From the cave behind the Sera Ella Falls

Path to the Sera Ella Falls

                                                          

RIDI VIHARAYA

Ridi Viharaya or the Silver Temple was built at the place where Silver ore was found, that was made used to build Ruwanweli Dageba at Anuradhapura by King Dutugemunu during his rein.

To reach the Ridi Vihara, proceed along Kandy- Kurunegala highway turn off at Mallawapitiya and proceed to Ridigama for about 13 kM. Then proceed about 2 kM to find Ridi Vihara which is built under a rock outcrop which stands about 200 feet high from the surrounding area.

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Ridi Vihara is an important Raja Maha Vihara belonging to the Cultural Triangle. Historical Data on this Monastery complex is found in some Caves written in Brahmin Inscriptions. They dates back to the 2nd and 3rd Centuries BC. During the time of Arahath Mahinda, many Arahaths are believed to be resided in these caves which numbers around twenty five in the surrounding area of Ridi Vihara and Rambadagalla area. The caves had been prepared by cutting into the rock and donated by chieftains of the area to the Sangha. 

Pancha Nari Gataya 

The Ridi Vihara temple was built later by King Dutugemunu and the details about the construction is mainly being known by the historical chronicle Mahavamsa and by other sources like Ridi Vihara Asna and also by legend.

How this Ridi Vihara temple came in to being is of great interest with many incidents attached .

At the time King Dutugemunu was ruling Sri Lanka [161-137 BC ] from Anuradhapura, there was a route running to Hill Country [ Malaya Rata] near this area. The name Ridigama was used to this area only after the temple was built. At that time a merchant was traveling through this area with oxen carrying his merchandise. While resting in this area he came across a Sweet Jackfruit and offered it to an Arahath Thero residing in this area. 

The Thero after consuming the fruit for his meal, has shown the direction to the merchant to proceed along. While passing a cave nearby, the merchant has come across a Silver Ore which was inside a cave. 

Having taken a piece of Silver, he went to Anuradhapura and related the tale of how he came across the silver to the King. The King sent his Ministers to that place and had brought the Silver to the kingdom. He made use of the silver to construct the Ruwanweli Maha Stupa which was under construction at the time. In gratitude the king built a temple at the cave silver was found which was called as Rajatha Lena or the Silver Cave. The village where the temple was situated, was called as Ridigama and the temple as Ridi Vihara or the Silver Temple.

LOVER'S LEAP ,NUWARAELIYA

Lover's Leap waterfall is at Nuwaraeliya district and it's only waterfall which is closest to Nuwaraeliya town. Lover's leap is not a large waterfall but it's very beautiful. In April month lovers' leap falls is very famous in local and foreign visitors. Main access road of this waterfalls is from Magastota place and lake side way. Gregory lake side place is good view point of this waterfall. There are less than 2km from Nuwaraeliya town to this waterfalls. www.tripadvisor.com › ... › Lover's Leap FallsTripAdvisor

This beautiful 30m fall is incipient of the streams and brooks of Sri Lanka's highest mountain, the Piduruthalagala (2524m). It flows over hard granite ledges and the water is collected in a tank and used for

drinking. In dry spells, the flow is languid The fall is said to derive its name from the tragic tale of a prince, who while hunting in the jungle, lost his way. He was rescued by a beautiful damsel, and the two became inseparable lovers. But the match was not to the liking of the prince's subjects, so the two decided to immortalise their love by leaping from the top of the fall to their death.

Superstitious villagers avoid the fall at night. The fall is situated in Hava Eliya, 1.5km from Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya District. Many hotels and guest-houses can be found in Nuwara Eliya.

Don't missing to visit Lovers' leap waterfall when you come to Nuwaraeliya in next time.  

RITIGALA MOUNTAIN RANGE

Ritigala mountain range

Ritigala mountain range consists of four peaks of which the main and the highest peak at the south of the range is named Ritigala Kanda. Ritigala mountain range, a 3776-acre (1582 ha) Strict Nature Reserve, one of the well inventoried bio diversity hot spots in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka is managed by Department of Wildlife of Sri Lanka together with Forest Department of Sri Lanka.

Location

Ritigala couldn’t be better located: it is right between the two ancient cities of Anuradhapaura and Polonnaruwa in the north central plains of Sri Lanka. Anurdhapura is 43 kms to the north-west while Polonnaruwa is 49 kms to the south east of Ritigala. Located midway of Habrana-Maradankadawala (A11) road, it can be seen from afar even in Dambulla- Anuradhapura (A9) main road: north east of Kekirawa and south east of Maradankadawala.

                                                      

Walk way to Ritigala Site

The Approach to Ritigala

The most convenient transportation hub and accommodation option for the visiting tourists at Ritigala is Habarana (21 kms). Ritigala can be reached by a minor road, a jungle track off Habarana-Maradankadawela-Anuradhapura road. The regular entry point to the ruins of the monastery caves and forest is reached by a dirt road running from 9 kms from Galapitagala, meaning rock upon rock in Sinhala, a hamlet a little to the north-east of 8 m mile-post (12km) on Habarana-Anuradhapura road. Ritigala is also accessible from the village of Ganewelpola.

Serene Atmosphere & cool air at Ritigala

The consummate combination of serene atmosphere & cool air at Ritigala makes it easier for you to appreciate why the Buddhist monks had chosen this place for their contemplative perambulations. Next to the ruins of the palace of King Pandukabhaya are the ruins of the entrance to the tunnel that led to Anuradhapura.

Way to Balum Gala

Ritigala Archeological Site

Climb to Ritigala