Kanneliya Forest in the Galle District

Kanneliya Forest

Kanneliya Forest Reserve is a nice place to visit in Galle District. It is a part of the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Biosphere Reserve. This covers almost 5306 ha in the southern province. The Kanneliya forest reserve is also regarded as one of South Asia’s most valuable forest resources. KDN was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2004. It is also the last remaining rainforest area after the famous Sinharaja Forest. Kanneliya is a catchment area for both the Gin Ganga River and the Nilwala Ganga River. Those are two major rivers in southern Sri Lanka.

 

Location:

Galle City is situated 35km away from Kanneliya Forest. The distance from Colombo is 150km. If you are starting from Colombo, then you can choose the southern highway and should exit at Pinnaduwa. Then you need to follow the Udugama road to reach the place, and overall, it takes around 3 hours.

If you are starting from Galle, then you can travel along the Udugama road from there to reach Kanneliya. It is around 35km away and will take 1 hour to get there. To enter the forest, you need to buy a ticket. The ticket counter is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Flora and Fauna

Kanneliya Forest is home to many flora and fauna. A large percent of them is endemic to Sri Lanka. 17% of lowland endemic floral species can be found here. There are over 220 known species of fauna. It includes 86 mammal species, 36 snake species, and 26 bird species. 20 bird species are endemic only to the Kanneliya. There are also 23 lizard species found here.

 

Attractions

There are many sightseeing places in Kanneliya Rain Forest. We need at least 2 days to explore all of those attractions. When you receive tickets at the entrance, the guide will help you explore those places. Here are some of the major attractions in Kanneliya:

  • Waterfall Anagimale Ella
  • Cave Trail
  • Elephant Creeper
  • A Giant Navel Tree
  • Malamura Waterfall
  • Kabbale Mount Trail.

 

Other facts about Kanneliya

  • There are over 10,000 people living in 78 villages around the KDN biosphere area.
  • Anagimale Waterfall is a fantastic looking waterfall to visit. It is very water heavy in the December–February season.
  • Narangas Ella is another tiny waterfall which is located inside the deep forest.
  • The March to September period is the ideal time for hikes in Kanneliya Forest.
  • This is a superb place to enjoy a day with your family. There is a nice spot to bathe near the entrance.

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery that is situated in the Kirinda area of southern Sri Lanka. It is a historically important place in Sri Lankan history. There are numerous ancient ruins and historical evidence that have helped to establish the surrounding areas of this monastery. Sithulpawwa is a place that belongs to Block 1 of the Yala National Park. Therefore, anybody can visit this place during their tour to the Yala Nationa Park.

 

Location

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya is located 294km away from the capital, Colombo. The distance from Galle city is 165km and from Ella tourist city is 103km. You can reach this place by travelling 18km along the Yodakandiya-Tissmaharama route from the Kataragama Pilgrimage City. The notice boards will easily direct you to the place. You will also see many wild animals along the route because it belongs to the Yala National Park. There is a nice park available to stop your vehicle.

 

History of the Sithulpawwa Temple

It is believed this monastery was built in the 2nd century BC by King Kavanthissa. At that time, this was named “Chiththala Pabbatha”, which means “The Hill of the Quiet Mind.” This history says that this was a place for Buddhist education for the Buddhist monks. It was also available for worship by the devotees. Today, many ancient cave temples, paintings, inscriptions, Buddha Stratues, and other Stratues can be found in the surrounding area.Most of the paintings have been destroyed, and those historians believe that those paintings belong to the Anuradhapura Kingdom era.

 

Other facts about Sithulpawwa

On the public holidays, Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya is a busy place. Therefore, it’s better if you can go there on a weekday. The large stupa on the large rock can be found from a long distance. The view from that rock is absolutely beautiful, and it is fantastic to take some beautiful photos. This is a nice place to visit if you are a person who loves to explore Sri Lankan culture and history.

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(Sithulpawwa Temple Background Image source: VISIT 2 SRI LANKA from Twitter) 

 

Lipton’s Seat in Haputale

Lipton's Seat

Lipton’s Seat is a popular high observation point in Sri Lanka among local and foreign travelers. It is situated at the top of the Poonagala Hills at an elevation of 1970m. This is also a viewpoint from which you can observe five major provinces in Sri Lanka. The route to Lipton’s seat is absolutely beautiful with greenish tea estates. We can suggest that it is another must-visit place near the Ella tourism city.

 

Location

Lipton’s seat is situated in the Badulla district of Uva Province. Haputale and Poonagala are the closest town to the area. Distance to here from Haputale is 16km and from Ella is 27km. There are two major routes to reach the place.

  • Bandarawela, Poonagala and through Nayabedda Estate
  • Hapuatale and through dambethenna tea estate

 

Those two routes are very scenic with lush and greenish tea plantations. It’s no matter whether you select one from them,

If you are starting from Ella, then the Poonagala – Nayabedda route is ideal for you. The surround is amazing to watch. Tuk Tuk is the most suitable vehicle for this route and it takes around 1 ½ hours to reach there. If you come from Colombo or from the Upcountry railway, then the Haputale-Dambethenna route should be your selection. The public transport busses are available on that route. But Tuk Tuk or a scooter are the most ideal vehicle for too this route. It also takes one hour to reach the destination.

However, you should buy a ticket to enter the Lipton’s seat. After the entrance, you have to walk around 1.5km to reach the actual viewpoint.

 

Amazing View

As we mentioned earlier, you can observe five major provinces in Sri Lanka from here. Those five provinces are; Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, Southern and Central. As well as you can clearly identify some of the key places. In a clear day you can identify Chandrika Lake, Udawlawa Lake, Handapanagala Lake, Hambanthota Harbour, Wedasitikanda Mountain, Devinuwara Lighthouse, South Coast and Tricomalee Lighthouse.

Early morning is the best time to visit Lipton’s Seat. On that time you can observe the beauty of the sunrise from the distance. It is actually a fantastic picture and you don’t forget to capture it with your camera. Sometimes, the mist will cover the place and it will destroy your stunning view. In such a time, you can see the clouds under you. If you are lucky person then you will see clear picture of the surrounding. If not you will be unhappy with the mist.

 

History

Lipton’s Seat and the surrounded Dambethenna tea estate was established by the Scottish tea planter Sir Thomas Lipton around 1890s. He was also contributed in development of the tea industry in Sri Lanka. He managed all the surrounded tea estates and lived on there. After his duties, he came to this view point and sited on their leisurely by observing the scenic view. Sir Thomas Lipton also started the Dambethenna Tea Factory for the manufacturing of tea. On those time this was the estate produced the best Black Tea in the country.

 

Other Facts about Lipton’s Seat

  • Catherine Seat is another nice view point near the Lipton’s seat. It is few kilometers away and which is situated in the Nayabedda estate. This view point also generate a scenic picture and you can clearly identify the places like Bandarawela, Diyathalawa, Uva Valley and Namunukula Range.
  • Lemathota Waterfall is a nice waterfall that you will meet it in the Dambethenna estate. But it is not popular among most of the travelers. However, it is another nice place to wait for few minutes.
  • Lipton’s seat is a place with cool climate. You should be ready for that before go there. As well as you can expect sudden changing weather.
  • There is a nice statue of the Sir Thomas Lipton near the viewpoint. You can sit neat it and enjoy the beauty of the atmosphere.
  • The place is open from 6am to 5pm. Anyhow, Morning is the ideal time to go there.
  • You can visit Dambethenna Tea Factory and further can analyze the tea manufacturing procedure.

 

(Cover Image Source & Credit: Lanka Classy Tours Twitter) 

Diyaluma Falls Waterfall in Koslanda

Diyaluma Falls Waterfall

Diyaluma Ella – Second Highest Waterfall in the Country

Diyaluma Falls is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a height of 220m (720ft). It is considered the 361st highest waterfall on the globe. This is such a beautiful looking waterfall, and it is a must-visit place for any traveler.

Location

There are two major ways to reach Diyaluma Falls. The first and major route through Beragala You can reach Beragala town via the Kandy to Colombo main road. From there, you can reach the destination by driving 24km. It is 6km away from Koslanda. The other route is via Bandarawela and Poonagala. You can use this route if you are starting your journey from Ella. The place is 35km away from Ella, a major tourist city. Normally, the tuk tuks take around 2 hours for the journey. However, you can see a scenic view of the surroundings on the Poonagala Route.

The view of the Diyaluma Falls is very nice when you observe it from the bottom. But the most famous place is its upper part.

Upper Diyaluma Waterfall

Upper Diyaluma

There is another small waterfall on the upper side, which is called “Upper Diyaluma’. Most travelers come to the Upper Diyaluma to observe an amazing view of the surroundings. There are a few small pools available for bathing on the upper side of the Diyaluma Falls. If you can run a drone from the Upper Diyaluma, that will generate a heaven-looking picture for sure. Anyhow, you should be careful when bathing on the upper diyaluma.

From the Poonagala route, you can easily reach the upper Diyaluma, but if you are coming from the bottom side of the waterfall, then you have to go on a difficult route to reach the upper area. However, there are a few nice pools available at the bottom to bathe safely. There is a nice viewpoint to observe the beauty of the Diyaluma Falls.

Diyaluma Falls is formed by Poonagala Oya, which is a branch of Kirindi Oya. There are some myths and folklore about this waterfall too. Sometimes your guide will tell you about those stories.

Conclusion

As Mahaweli Tours & Holidays, we suggest that you definitely visit this place if you are exploring places around the Ella area. It is a fantastic place to get relaxed and to wonder about Sri Lanka.

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(Featured Image Source: Travelgram from Facebook) 

Bahirawakanda Temple in Kandy

Bahirawakanda Temple in Kandy

Bahirawakanda Temple, or “Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya”, is a Theravada Buddhist temple in the Kandy city of Sri Lanka. It is a famous tourist attraction in the city. Most tour operators include this location in their Kandy city tour.The giant Buddha statue is the specialty of this temple. You can observe it from anywhere in the city.

The height of the Buddhist statue is around 25m, which is considered as one of the tallest statues in Sri Lanka. It represents the nirvana pose of the Lord Buddha. as well as the position associated with his first enlightenment. Somebody called that position “Dyana Mudra’ or “Nirvana Pose” as well.

Bahirawakanda Mountain and its surroundings have some popular folklore and beliefs. The ‘Bahirawakanda Mountain’ means’ Gnome Mountain’. Those locals believe it has derived its name from those hills. This is not an ancient Buddhist temple with a long history. The initial development of the temple began in 1972 and was contributed by Ven. Ampitiya Dharmarama Thero. Laterally, the temple was opened for worship in January 1993.

Guests are allowed to worship at the Bahirawakanda temple. You can light the oil lamps with offerings of flowers. But you need to remove hats and shoes when entering the temple. After the worship, you find the stairs behind the white statue to climb higher. This will allow you to get a marvelous picture of the surroundings.

Most of them believe the view of the Bahirawakanda Temple is more fantastic in the evening or night. Anyhow, you can clearly observe the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Udawattakale Sanctuary, Playgrounds and some streets of the city. If you can bring a camera, that will give you some memorable photographs in this location.

It is not difficult to reach to the Bahirawakanda Temple and its largest statue. Distance from the Temple of the Tooth Relic is around 2km. You can easily find the location by browsing the google maps. Finally, we have to say that is, you should definitely add this place to your list of best places to visit in Kandy.     

 

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(Featured Image Credit: Fineway from Pinterest)          

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets Booking with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets

You can easily book Kandy to Ella train tickets with us. We are Mahaweli Tours & Holidays, a leading tour agency in Sri Lanka. For booking and other details, call +94777 11153 or info@mahaweli.lk.

In this post, we have brought you all the essential information about the Kandy to Ella train journey and how to book the tickets. So, we request that you read this guide if you are planning to take this journey ahead.

An Introduction to the Kandy to Ella train journey

The Kandy to Ella train ride is considered one of the best train rides in the world. This train ride actually started in Colombo and ended up in Badulla. But the Kandy to Ella portion is considered the most popular and scenic. So, a large number of locals and international tourists express their high demand for this amazing train ride. This journey takes approximately seven hours to reach its final destination. Anyhow, this is a must-do thing for a tourist who loves sightseeing in Sri Lanka.

The History of the Up-Country Railway

The Sri Lankan railway started in the mid-19th century. During that period, the country was ruled by the British government. They started the Colombo to Badulla railway to transport coffee and tea from the up-country. Those crops were only planted in the hilly areas of the country and there was no better transport option to send them to Colombo without a train.

In the early days, this railway was used mainly for transporting goods. People were gradually able to use it as a better transport option after the 1960’s. Therefore, the train ride became popular. Nowadays, the Kandy-to-Ella train ride is mostly fully crowded and busiest at the weekends.

Colombo - Badulla Train Time Table

Every day, six trains start their journey from Badulla and finish off in Colombo. Again, six trains started from Colombo fort and finished up at the Badulla railway station. But Mahaweli Tours and Holidays only books tickets for four trains. Two trains start their journey from Badulla and the other two start from the Colombo Fort. Therefore, you should definitely note this before reserving Kandy to Ella train tickets with us.

Here is the Kandy to Ella Train Time Table.

Kandy to Ella Train Time Table

We book tickets for trains 1016 and 1006, and those trains start their journey from the Badulla Railway Station.

The No. 1016 train starts around 5.45am and reaches Ella around 7am. It reaches Nanu Oya around 9.15 and comes to Kandy around 1.15pm. It finished its journey after reaching Colombo at around 4 pm. The No. 1006 train begins its ride at around 8.30 am from Badulla. Then it gets to Ella around 9.45 a.m. and Nanuoya around 11.55 a.m. It then reaches Kandy around 3.55am and finally reaches Colombo around 7pm.

Again, we book tickets for trains 1005 and 1015, and those trains start their journey from the Colombo Fort.

The No 1005 train starts at 5.50am from the Colombo Fort Railway station. It reached Kandy around 8.45am. Then it reaches Nanu Oya around 12.40pm and finally reaches Ella around 3pm. The No 1015 train departs from the Colombo Fort at around 8.30 a.m.It reached Kandy around 11 a.m. Then it reaches Nanu Oya around 2.40pm and finally reaches Ella around 4.45pm.

We suggest that those four trains are the ideal ones to pick and enjoy the best journey. Anyhow, it doesn’t matter whether you are looking for Ella to Kandy or Kandy to Ella train tickets, we can reserve them for you.

Highlights of the Kandy to Ella Train Ride

Kandy to Nawalapitiya

Starting from Kandy, the train will first come to the Sarasavi Uyana railway station in Peradeniya. Until there, your train comes through Kandy city. Then the speed of the train will get much higher. You will pass many roads, towns, and bridges until the train comes to the Gampola Railway Station. From here, the urban environment is getting hidden, and you will see villages and the rural environment from here. Actually, from now on, you are going to be able to see the actual beauty of the upcountry railway. From here, you can observe beautiful mountains and tea plantations. Your train will cross the river Mahaweli a few times. Your train will come to the Nawalapitiya railway station after Gampola.

Nawalapitiya to Nanu Oya.

The train will come to the Galboda Railway Station after Nawalapitiya. Before arriving there, the train will pass through a few tunnels. From now on, you will be going through less populated areas, and suddenly you will enter a dense forest area with high forest cover. The elevation is now rising, and you will feel that the environment is also getting cooler. Then your train will come to the Watawala area. It is the area that receives the highest rainfall in Sri Lanka. Therefore, don’t wonder if you suddenly encounter rain in the Watawala area. After Rozella, the train will enter an area with large tea estates. It seems very scenic due to the well-maintained tea bushes. Until you reach the Nanu Oya, you can observe the beauty of those tea estates. In the Talawakale area, you can see two waterfalls called Saint-Clair waterfall and Devon Falls. Those two waterfalls are very attractive and nice to watch, and they add value to the trip.

Nanu Oya to Ella

Nanu Oya is another beautiful railway station where you should drop out if you go to Nuwara Eliya City. It’s not far to Nuwara Eliya from there. The elevation is still getting higher and you will now enter an area with a lot of forest and a lot of grassland. The Ambewela area is very popular for milk production in the country. Then you will enter the Pattipola Railway Station, which is considered the highest railway station in the country. The elevation of that point is 1881m above sea level. You will now feel much cooler than in other parts of the ride. After the Pattipola, you will come to the Idalgashinna by passing Ohiya Railway Station. You will pass many forest covered bridges before Idalgashinna. It feels like you are adventurous. Eljin Ella Waterfall is another beautiful waterfall that you can observe in these areas. The Nanu Oya to Idalgshinna part is comprised of a lot of forest and grassland. It is also another sparsely populated area.

Idalhashinna is another beautiful railway station with lovely surroundings. After that, you will enter the Haputale Railway Station. You can mostly see the mist in the Haputale area. Your train will cross pine tree forests in the Diyathalawa area. Then you will come to the Bandarawela railway station, and it’s not far to end your journey. After around 7 hours of the train journey, you will arrive at the final destination of Ella.

The main railway stations between Kandy and Ella

  • Sarasavi Uyana Railway Station (Peradeniya)
  • Gampola Railway Station.
  • Nawalapitiya Railway Station.
  • The Galboda Railway Station
  • Watawala Railway Station.
  • Hatton Railway Station
  • Talawakale Railway Station
  • Nanu Oya Railway Station
  • Ambewela Railway Station
  • Pattipola Railway Station.
  • Ohiya Railway Station
  • Idalgashinna Railway Station
  • Haputale Railway Station.
  • Bandarwela Railway Station

Places to Visit in Ella and the surrounding areas

  • Little Adam’s Peak
  • Nine Arch Bridge,
  • Ella Rock
  • Diyaluma Falls
  • Ravana Falls
  • Liptons Seat

Things to Consider Before Reserving Kandy to Ella Train Tickets

  • The train ride normally takes around 7 hours. But most of the time, it is delayed more than the expected time. Don’t worry if it takes about 9 hours. You should know that it can happen.
  • Kandy to Ella train tickets are selling fast. It is really difficult to book a ticket on the same travel day. Therefore, it is better to make the reservation online or pick a tour agency like us to book a ticket for you.
  • Normally, first class tickets are considered the best option to enjoy a train ride. But in the Kandy to Ella train ride, this happens on the opposite side. Second class or third class is the best option for enjoying the ride. You can open your windows and smell the fresh air. If you choose a first-class ticket, then you will miss this opportunity.
  • It is better if you can bring water and essential foods. But you can buy the essentials from the local vendors.
  • You can do the same train ride from Colombo. But it is tough and you will have to wait on the train for at least 10 hours. Therefore, choosing the Kandy to Ella part is the better option.
  • Try to pick a train that starts early. That will give you a 100% worthwhile experience for your journey. If the dark is covering your journey, then you will miss a lot of enjoyment.
  • Most of them will believe the right-hand side is the best option until you reach the Nanu Oya. From there, the left-hand side gives you better pictures until you reach Ella City.
  • Be careful when putting your hands, legs, and head out the windows or doors. Always think about your safety first.

 

Kandy to Ella Train Ticket Booking with Mahaweli Tours and Holidays.

As we mentioned earlier, you can easily book your Kandy to Ella train tickets with us by contacting our team with the above-mentioned mobile number. If it is troublesome to use it further, then we suggest you fill out the form and just send it to us. We will contact you in a very short period of time and help you with ticket reservations.

    Final Words

    A Kandy to Ella Train Ride is a must-do thing in Sri Lanka. So, we strongly believe this guide will give you all the essential details about this scenic train ride. If it is so, don’t forget to share this article among your friends who are waiting to take this journey or looking for Kandy to Ella Train Tickets.

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    Best Time to Visit Ella-Sri Lanka

    Best Time To Visit Ella

    In this post, we are going to bring you the information to choose the best time to visit Ella, Sri Lanka. Before we move into the topic, let us give you some brief information about Ella.

     

    About Ella

    Ella is a small town in the Uva province of Sri Lanka. It is situated 216km (kilometers) away from Colombo. The distance between Kandy and Ella is 136km. You can either visit this beautiful city by train or by any kind of vehicle. Ella is a mountainous city with an elevation of 1041m.

    Ella City Tour

    The Kandy to Ella train trip is considered one of the best railway journeys in the world. It takes around seven hours and crosses greenish tea plantations, mountains, rivers, forests, and bridges. The view is absolutely amazing and you will never forget that memory. Ella is a tourist-based city where you can do many activities. You can do hiking, trekking, adventure activities, and waterfall watching in Ella. There are so many accommodation and other facilities available for visitors too.

    Places to visit in the Ella area:

     

    Climate of the Ella;

    Climate is an important factor that you should consider before going on any kind of trip or tour. If you are thinking about the best time to visit Ella, the given climate information will be important.

    The average annual rainfall of the Ella area is around 1750mm. The July to November time period is considered the rainy period for the area, while October is the wettest month. March is considered the driest month. But you can expect fewer rainy days in the January and February months.

    The average annual temperature of Ella is between 18 and 22 Celsius. January is the coldest month, while April is the warmest. Anyhow, Ella is a place where you can always expect a friendly temperature. The wind speed is much higher in the June, July, and August months. As well as that, March is the month with the highest sunshine hours.

     

    What is the best time to visit Ella?

    After considering the above climate information, we can suggest that January to March is the best time to visit Ella. However, climate is not a big issue when selecting the best time. But you can visit Ella throughout the year.

    If you have already decided on your best time to visit Ella, then you can plan your Ella City Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays. Call 077 711 1553 or email info@mahaweli.lk for more information.

     

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    (Please visit our Mahaweli Pinterest Page for more pictures about Ella City)

    The Best Beaches in Negombo

    Best Beaches in Negombo

    Introduction to Best Beaches in Negombo

    In this article, we are going to show you the best beaches in Negombo, Sri Lanka. Let us give you a quick overview of Sri Lanka and its beaches.

     

    Sri Lankan beaches

    Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean with an area of 65,610 sq. km. The surrounding ocean has created many beautiful beaches all around the country. Most of those beaches are located in the southern and eastern parts of the island. But there are a few nice and beautiful beaches on the western and northern sides too. Arugambay, Unawatuna, Mirissa, Weligama, Bentota, Tangalle, and Nilaveli are a few of the popular beaches in Sri Lanka. You can choose one of those beaches according to your requirements for swimming, diving, surfing, kite surfing, camping, or any other activity. We recommend that you read the blog posts listed below in addition to this one.
    Beautiful Beaches in Sri Lanka
    The Best Places for Surfing in Sri Lanka

    About Negombo

    Negombo is a well-known and economically important city in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is a coastal city which is situated 38km away from Colombo City. The city is 8 km away from the Katunayaka Airport. So, many tourists visit Negombo as their first destination in Sri Lanka.
    Negombo is a city with a population of over 100,000. The majority of the people are Sinhala Christians. But you can see some Tamils and Muslims out there. Negombo is a historical city with over 500 years of history. The area is very famous for fishing, though most of the people do it as their occupation. But the area is so full of beautiful places, with a few nice beaches. Here we are going to tell you about the best beaches in the Negombo area.

    Negombo Best Beaches

    Browns Beach

    This is the most popular beach in Negombo. It is an unspoiled, private beach with golden sands. You can observe an amazing view of both the sunset and sunrise. The turquoise blue water and palm tree line add to the beauty of Browns Beach. The place is very famous among locals and foreigners alike. It is superb for kitesurfing, sailing, swimming, and windsurfing. Here, you can do mid-night swimming too.
    It is 4 km away from the Negombo bus stand, which is open 24 hours a day. You can see fishing boats in the sea, which brings another beautiful view to the visitors. There are also some shops and restaurants available for visitors.

    Negombo Beach

    This beach is situated just close to the Browns beach. It is a cluster of a few beaches. This has a very long stretch where you can do a long walk. The golden sands with fairly fast winds always bring you nice feelings. Furthermore, this is usually not much more crowded than other beaches in Negombo. The palm tree lines generate a nice picture for a photographer. It is not suitable for swimming. But you can wait there and enjoy the sunbath while reading a book.
    Most of the locals come to this beach for kite surfing. Furthermore, it is suitable for beach volleyball and football. You can see many fishing boats on the beach. The front sea area is busy with many fishing boats. There are many luxury hotels and guest houses available near the beach.

    Morawala Beach

    This is another best beach in Negombo with less popularity. But it is very popular among locals. It is situated in Pitiapana Village, 3km away from the Negombo bus stand. It’s an excellent location for swimming and relaxing. Evening is the perfect time to visit Morawala Beach. You can capture a nice picture of the sunset.
    Normally, this is less crowded. There is a large reef which reduces the speed of the waves. Therefore, anyone can bathe safely here. But you should remember to note that you shouldn’t cross the reef. You can also observe the Negombo Lagoon during this visit. We should say that Morawala is a must-visit and the best beach in Negombo.

    Negombo’s weather

    Negombo is a coastal city with hot and humid weather. The annual temperature is around 27 °C. The temperature is getting lower when the sea breeze comes. Average annual rainfall is between 2000 and 2500mm. You can experience rain in all 12 months, while May, June, and July are the wet months. But January and February are the driest months.

    Final Word on Best Beaches in Negombo

    Negombo is a popular city among local and international tourists. There are so many beautiful places to visit. Anyhow, the area is superb for beach vacations for anyone. There are a few beaches in the surrounding area. But we listed Browns Beach, Negombo Beach, and Morawala Beach as the best beaches in Negombo.

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    (Cover Image Credit: Ceylon Roamer)

    Udawattakele Sanctuary in Kandy City

    Udawattakele Sanctuary

    Udawattakele Sanctuary, or Royal Forest Park, is a wildlife sanctuary in Kandy city. You can observe this sanctuary behind the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It covers almost 104 ha (257 acres). Udawattakele was declared as a forest reserve in 1856 by the British government. Then it became a sanctuary in 1938. Today, travelers can enter this forest park, which can be described further as ‘ a nice place to trek in the Kandy area’.

    Udawattakele Royal Forest has a long history. It runs when the Kandyan Kingdom starts torment. It runs when the Kandyan Kingdom starts in the 14th century. In those days, this was a large forest area, which was considered a rainforest. Later, this was called the “Udawasala Watta’ during the Kandyan era. The British captured the Kandyan kingdom in 1815, and the forest area became destroyed because of the cutting of trees. However, today it is a conservation area that is a habitat for many wild plants and animals.

    You can see the canopy, sub-canopy, and underground forest covered here. The dense forest cover doesn’t allow sunlight to penetrate to the floor. Therefore, you can experience a very cool climate. As we mentioned earlier, you can observe many types of plants. Sources say that Udawattakele Sanctuary is home to 405 plant species, and almost 100 of them are endemic to Sri Lanka. Apart from that, it is home to 81 bird species and 21 snakes. The forest area is also a water source and it supplies essential water to the Kandy Lake.

    You need to buy a ticket to enter to the forest and it is open between 8am to 5pm.But you are not allowed to take plastics and polythene.  This is certainly a fabulous place to do a relaxing walk with fresh air. You can further experience a stunning view of the Kandy City from here. Giant Pus Wela is key attraction of the Udawattakele Sanctuary. Waterpond, Kodimale, Senkada Cave and Garrison Symmetry are the other major attraction of this forest.

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    (Udawatta Kele Image Source: I Love Kandy facebook page)

    Kandy Procession in Sri Lanka

    Kandy Procession

    Kandy Procession is one of the best-celebrated events in Sri Lanka. The event takes place in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Kandy, by default, is one of the most beautiful cities in Sri Lanka and also one of the top-notch spots for tourists. Most of the tourists who visit Sri Lanka make sure Kandy is on their itinerary. There is so much natural beauty in Kandy, and this procession adds more beauty and value. This tiny island is always full of celebrations and festivities. We love a good break from our monotonous work life. Therefore, come and see this majestic event in Kandy!

    full of color and entertainment.

    The entire event is full of lights, decorations, music, and dancing. The Kandy Procession, being a cultural and religious event, gets a lot of importance from its devotees and countrymen. This procession comprises a lot of dancing and whip cracking and is a sight to see as one set of dancers is followed by the next. They are full of color, entertainment, and cheer. Traditional dances are a must in the procession because Sri Lankans generally have a set of traditional dancers and traditional drummers for every auspicious occasion. The Kandy Procession lasts for more than two weeks as it has many sub-processions that take place.

    The order of the pageant in the Kandy procession

    The entire event of the Kandy procession goes on for weeks, starting from planting a jackfruit tree, wishing blessings upon the country, to a ‘water cutting’ ceremony in the longest river in Sri Lanka, Mahaweli. The whole process is full of dancing, music, drumming, whipping, swaying of flags, and carrying of the sacred casket by the anointed tusker, who is decorated in beautiful attire. The reason behind it is to pay respect to the relic of Buddha and is one of the most devotional celebrations of the culture. The whole two weeks are crowded with devotees, spectators, and tourists. 

    Come, it is a wonderful sight to behold!

    This pageant is a world-famous event that takes place once a year, and people from all around the world come to see its beauty. A lot of preparation and dedication go towards the procession. For those of you who love seeing different cultures and experiencing diversity, the Kandy Procession will give you a thrill and surpass your expectations.

    There are many kinds of tourists: those who love nature; those who love adventure; those who love food; those who love the ocean; and those that enjoy culture. Sri Lanka is a place for every kind of tourist because we have them all! A lot of travelers who come in the months of July and August make sure to participate in the event because it is such a wondrous occasion. If you visit Sri Lanka during these months, make sure to head to Kandy to see the most celebrated event in the city. The Kandy procession is a must-see when you come to Sri Lanka. You will see them in their best costumes, dancing to their best tunes, and whipping their way through, cheerfully yet devotedly. You will be given an experience to cherish all your life.

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    Read more;

    Temple of the Tooth Relic

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    (Kandy Esala Perahera Image Source: PRABHATH WIMALASIRI from Twitter)

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