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When the Portuguese invaded Kandy in 1603, the Sacred Tooth Relic was carried to a hiding place called Meda Mahanuwara in Dumbara, not far from Hunnasgiriya. Meda Mahanuwara served as a royal residence, too, whenever Kandy was threatened by the European invaders who were in control of the island’s coastal regions. When the British captured Kandy in 1815, Medamahanuwara was also the refuge of Sri Lanka’s King, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. It was here that they finally found and arrested him, before he was sent to exile in India.
Ironically, this small remote place is called “Maha”, meaning “Grand”. “Nuwara” is the Sinhala name for city in general and for Kandy in particular. Thus, “Mahanuwara” literally means “Greater Kandy”. However, this is very common in Sri Lanka, that suburbs or villages outside towns carry the same name as the town with the prefix “Maha”. For example, “Maha Galgamuwa” is a very small and secluded village, whereas Galgamuwa is much larger. And remember, the literal meaning of “Mahanuwara” would be “major city” or “metropolis” - a proud name for such a small historical site. Read more about Medamahanuwara here...
The archaeological site of Manikdena, situated near Dambulla at the northern foothills of Sri Lanka’s higlands, is better known under the spelling Menikdena. “Manik”, pronounced like “Maenik”, is the Sinhala word for gems. Actually, the plains close to Sri Lanka’s mountains are the main deposits of the island’s famous gemstones. However, the term refers to a legend. The ashes of Sri Lanka’s “last enlightened being”, the Arhat Maliyadewa, are said to have been buried in Manikdena is a casket decorated with jewels, hence the modern name of the place. The anient name “Butgama” simply means “Buddha Village” or “Buddhist settlement”. Though not far away from popular destinations of the Cultural Triangle such as Golden Temple, Lion Rock, Matale Spice Gardens, the small heritage site of Manikdena is still off the beaten path. To be honest, it’s not a must-see for first-time travellers in Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, Manikdena may be of some interest for those interested in the ancient Sinhalese civilisation, as the archaeological reserve of Manikdena represents a very common type of monastic architecture from the early Middle Ages better than any other excavation site in Sri Lanka, namely the so-called “Pabbata Vihara”. This archeological name translates to “mountain monastery” and seems to indicate something spectacular. But actually it only refers to one characteristic feature of this kind of monasteries: The major edifices were erected on a shared platform, on a slightly higher level than the surrounding residential area of the monk. The elevated ceremonial area of a Pabbata Vihara typically carried four or five buildings in a square or quincunx order, namely one or two assembly halls of the monks (at least an Uposathagara) and shrines for image-worship (Patimagara), tree-worship (Bodhigara) and relic-worship (Chaitiyagara or stupa terrace). Though this type of regular layout was quite common in the outskirts of Anuradhapura and near villages in the provinces, there are only few places, where today’s visitor can easily identify all four or five characteristic buildings. Manikdena is definitely the best place, to study the Pabbata Vihara style, which was the predominant form of monastic architecture in the late Anuradhapura period. Manikdena is managed the Archaeological Department in cooperation with one of Sri Lanka’s most famous private schools, the Trinity College in Kandy, since it has been transformed in an arboretum representing the typical vegetation of Sri Lanka’s intermediate zone. Karagahagedera, also spelt Karagahagedara, is a remote place in Kurunegala District. The rare visitor can see a perfect example of a wooden Ambalama, which is a traditional open hut where farmers and pilgrims can rest.
Puttalam is a predominantly Muslim town in the at Sri Lanka’s northwestern town. Puttalam is not a major tourist destination and not worth a longer stay when you are a first time traveller and like to see as many beautiful places within your holidays as possible. Better cut the inconspicuous Puttalam from the shortlist in this case. Kalpitiya Peninsula at the other side of the Puttalam Lagoon is more inviting with its long sandy beaches or kitesfurfing activities or dolphin watching tour. Nochchiyagama to the northeast of Puttalam is a better starting point for safaris in Wilpattu National Park than Puttalam. Puttalam in itself is interesting only for ethnologists or others wholike to meet people most of all. Thhe town and its hinterland are inhabited by variuous ethnic minorities.
More about Puttalam... Where is Sri Lanka’s largest hemispherical stupa building? Surprisingly, it’s neither in Anuradhapura nor in any other heritage site but in the town center of Kalutara, capital of the district of the same name in the Western Province. The dome is modern and in contrast to historical stupas, it’s hollow. Stupas in Sri Lanka were massive brick constructions sheltering very small relic chambers. Kalutara’s Gangatilaka Viharaya, built in the 1960s in thin-concrete technology, is the roof of a large hemispherical hall, which is open to the public. To learn more about the modern stupa and Kalutara town, please click here...
Bundala is one of the four national parks accumulated in the southeast of Sri Lanka, where the much larger and more famous Yala (Ruhuna National Park) is surrounded by Kumana in the east, Lunugamvehera in the northwest and, last not least, Bundala in the southwest. Bundala National Park, situated along the coastline between Kirinda and Hambantota, is a former bird sanctuary harbouring 197 bird species, aquatic birds in particular. Together with the adjacent Wilmanna Sanctuary, it covers an area of 6,200 hectares. Due to its five brackish lagoons and freshwater lakes Bundala National Park is an important wintering ground for water birds from central Asia and Sibiria. Bundala has been famous for large migrating colonies of Greater Flamingos. Regrettably, the numbers of flamingoes have dropped significantly in recent years. 324 species of vertebrates occur in Bundala National Park, including 5 mammal species categorized threatened. Besides Yala and Kumana, Bundala is Sri Lanka's only national park where both species of crocodiles inhabitating the island can be obeserved. Saltwater crocodiles (Estuarine crocodiles) live in the lagoons and the estuary of River Kirindi Oya, while the freshwater crocodiles (mugger crocodiles) occur in the heartland freshwater lakes.
A safari in Bundala is an alternative for those who already know Yala or hope to experience a national park without large crowds of tourists. Be aware, despite its small population of elephants and leopards and numerous spotted deers and sambars, Bundala is a highlight for birdwatchers in the first place. All aquatic bird species of Sri Lanka are said to occur in Bundala. With good luck, the rare Black-necked stork can be spotted here. Bundala is not large enough for real camping safaris. A morning or late afternoon excursion is enough to collect impressions of the setting and wildlife. Bird watchers staying in Hambantota or Tissamaharama will come several times, particularly during the northern hemisphere winter months, when the hugest flocks of migrating birds in Sri Lanka can be observed in Bundala. In case you want to spend a longer period in the Yala area, don’t miss Bundala. It may be not as spectacular as Yala block 1. But it’s a supplement that makes sense for nature lovers, a litte bit a contrast to Yala, more tranquil and really pretty charming. Learn more about Bundala National Park here... |
AuthorNuwan Chinthaka Gajanayaka, Categories
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