Giriulla - first rocks on the way to Kurunegala
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Giriulla is a small town of around 5000 inhabitants in the Kurunegala District of the Northwestern Province, just at the border of the Western Province, with the river of Maha Oya forming the border. Giriulla has an important bridge for traffic in this region.
From a touristic perspective, the main attraction is Dambadeniya 6 km further northwest, where the temple is of historical significance and the rock with ruins of a former palace is worth visiting, too. Travelers from Negombo to Dambulla or Sigiriya (not using the highway) usually cross Giriulla, which is located halfway between Negombo and Kurunegala. Also the shortest route from Negombo to Anuradhapura runs along Giriulla.
From a touristic perspective, the main attraction is Dambadeniya 6 km further northwest, where the temple is of historical significance and the rock with ruins of a former palace is worth visiting, too. Travelers from Negombo to Dambulla or Sigiriya (not using the highway) usually cross Giriulla, which is located halfway between Negombo and Kurunegala. Also the shortest route from Negombo to Anuradhapura runs along Giriulla.
Giriulla is situated between two hills and the river. The surroundings of Kurunegala are crowded with isolated rocky hills. When arriving from the western coastal plains, the hills of Giriulla are the first of this kind that come in sight, though not yet as impressive as those near Dambadeniya. Actually, the hills are namgiving for the town, as "Giri" means "hill" oe "mountain" in Sinhala and also in many other Indian languages.
The western hill is mostly forested, the viewpoints at the top can be reached via a dirt road. The eastern hill, lower in height, is a 1 km long, almost bare outcrop, forested only at the northwestern end, where a large Buddha statue is situate. This modern statue belongs to the Buddhist temple of Uyanwatta Sri Meadankaraaramaya.
The gneiss rock was used as a quarry. Though not high, it's dangerous to climb up along the rock surface, because the rock is very brittle. Locals usually do not climb this rock, which is locally known as Kalugala.
The western hill is mostly forested, the viewpoints at the top can be reached via a dirt road. The eastern hill, lower in height, is a 1 km long, almost bare outcrop, forested only at the northwestern end, where a large Buddha statue is situate. This modern statue belongs to the Buddhist temple of Uyanwatta Sri Meadankaraaramaya.
The gneiss rock was used as a quarry. Though not high, it's dangerous to climb up along the rock surface, because the rock is very brittle. Locals usually do not climb this rock, which is locally known as Kalugala.
