18 Bend Road (18 Wanguwa) Kandy - Mahiyanganaya

The renovated Colonial Era 18 Bend Road is highly attracted by tourists. There are many tourists are visiting several areas including Mahiyangana, with the opening of the renovated 18-hair-pin Bend Road.
The 18-bend road was constructed by the British colonial rulers in the mid-19th century as an estate supply route. It connects Kandy to Mahiyanganaya and stretches up to Padiyathalawa. The Road has been developed at a cost of 5000 million rupees. The region is being attracted by more tourists with the development effected to the road eliminating the hardships experienced earlier. Following the opening of this road, the percentage of local as well as foreign tourists frequenting it has increased by 50.
The road stretching from Udathenna in Meda-Mahanuwra to Vehera Ganthota in Hasalaka which is about 41 kilometres was developed. The Hasalaka Police claim that the number daily using the road which provides a picturesque view and for convenience has increased. The Observation Studio is reported to be filled with local and foreign tourists.
While the area is developing as a Tourism Zone, the damage inflicted to the environment is also on the increase. As such, the public ear eagerly called upon to adhere to proper strategies in discarding the litter and protecting the 18-hair-pin bend road for the posterity.

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Kandy Esala Perahera 2012

Kandy Perahera

Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Period: July/August of each year; Year 2012: 19th July 2012 to 2nd August 2012 [Commences on Esala Full Moon Poya Day on the month of July and Concludes on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day on the month of August.]

Dates of the Kandy Esala Perahera 2012: From 19th July 2012 to 02nd August 2012

Date Event 2012-07-19 Kapsituvima (Planting of the 'Kapa') 2012-07-19 to 2012-07-22 Internal Perahera of Four Devales 2012-07-23 1st Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-24 2nd Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-25 3rd Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-26 4th Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-27 5th Kumbal Perahera 2012-07-28 1st Randoli Perahera 2012-07-29 2nd Randoli Perahera 2012-07-30 3rd Randoli Perahera 2012-07-31 4th Randoli Perahera 2012-08-01 5th Randoli Perahera 2012-08-02 Day Perahera (Water Cutting Ceremony "Diya Kepeema")

Kandy Perahera Tickets :

For advance purchase, transportation to Kandy and tours in Sri Lanka contact Lakpura Travels (Pvt.) Ltd., Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

The best time to see Kandy Esala Perahera: the last two nights
Festival: the grandest Buddhist procession of Sri Lanka
Significance: display of Sacred tooth Relic of Buddha

The timings of the Kandy Perahera are notified by no less than booming cannon fire, which is heard all over the city of Kandy.
1. The commencement of the festival
2. The placing of the golden casket upon the back of the tusker.
3. The commencement of the procession of Kandy Perahera
4. The completion of the Kandy Perahera

The order of the procession of Kandy Perahera

Kandy Perahera procession features five processions organized by the Maligawa Perahera or Perahera of the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, the most venerated Buddhist temple of Sri Lanka and four shrines dedicated to Hindu Gods and a Goddess, i.e. the Shrine of God Natha, the Shrine of God Maha Vishnu, the Shrine of God Katharagama and the Shrine of Goddess Pattini. By 8pm, the Maligawa Perahera or the procession of Sacred Temple of the Tooth of the Buddhists takes the lead and joined by the processions of four Hindu shrines.

The second procession is from the shrine dedicated to God Natha. The 14th Century shrine that faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth is said to be the oldest building in Kandy.

The third is from the shrine dedicated to God Vishnu. Vishnu Devale also known as the Maha Devale is located close to the Natha Devale.

The fourth procession is from the Kataragama Devale dedicated to the God of Skanda, the deity of Kataragama. Kataragama shrine is located on Kottugodalle Street of Kandy. This procession includes Kavadi, the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim dancers carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders.

The fifth and final procession is from the shine dedicated to goddess Pattini. Pattini shrine is located to the west of the Natha Devale.

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Hanthana Mountain Range

The Hanthana Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, south-west of the city of Kandy. It was declared as an environmental protection area in February 2010 under the National Environment Act. The maximus height of the range is 3800 ft. The mountain range consists of seven peaks. The highest one being the Uura Kanda. The range is a favourite destination among the mountain hikers in Sri Lanka. University of Peradeniya is situated adjacent to the Hanthana mountain range.

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Ambuluwawa Bio Diversity Complex, Gampola.

 

The Ambuluwawa biodiversity complex is a unique combination of nature and human creation. The 327-acre complex in Gampola, few kilometers away from Kandy is considered the fourth botanical garden in the country. Manmade constructions there include an international level conference hall, an agrarian training centre and a Buddhist worship area, including a Stupa 157-foot tall. From Ambuluwawa biodiversity complex, one could have a panoramic view of Sri Pada, Piduruthalagala, Namunukula, Bathalegala, Alagalla, Hantana and Knuckles and several other mountains.

  Ambuluwawa Tower -View from Gampola Town

 When the planets and stars disappear trom the sky and when the nectar appears in or drops from flowers on tree tops and when the sun spreads its rays as it rises over the mountain of the east, you may set off trom Ambuluwakada happily.

Ambuluwawa – Biodiversity

Biodiversity at Ambuluwawa has a more complexed expansion than that of the common examples of biodiversity. Ambuluwawa is a rock mountain but it is different trom rock mountains commonly seen in Sri Lanka . It is made of special type of rock known as "Inselberg" and is least subject to erosion caused by natural forces.

Experiments on the diversity of vegetation at Ambuluwawa are still in progress. According to the research work so far done, there are about 200 varieties of plants belonging to 80 plant families. The soil here is red or brown and belongs to the latezoic type. Medicinal plants known as 'iramusu ', ' muva kiriya ' and ' nawa handi ' are the common plants grown in the area.

Surrounding the mountain there are uniformly spread ever green forests, groves of blossomed flower plants and creepers which make the breeze around the mountain cool. Panoramic view of the mountain ranges is enticing and impressive. Clearly visible mountains such as Pidurutalagala in the east, Bathalegala or Bible Rock in the west, Sri Pada or Adams Peak in the south and Knackles range in the north enrich the scenic beauty of the place. Apart from these, mountain ranges associated with Alagalla and Kadugannawa, mountains like Hanthana and Hunnasgiri and mountains in Nuwara Eliya district are also clearly visible and they add beauty to the surroundings.

There is no other summit than Ambuluwawa which is surrounded by a large number of mountain ranges of scenic beauty in Sri Lanka . The precious water of the Mahaweli the life blood of up country people and the long tracts of paddy fields fed by Mahaweli water make the

Ambuluwawa rock more attractive. Thousands of rival, houses and the crowded streets of Gampola town can be seen at a single place - Ambuluwawa and the view is unique and impressive.

Modern Vision

Modern development of Ambuluwawa has converted it to a reserve for folk museum based on a clear cut vision. Three tanks built on the Summit provide water down to the bottom of the mountain. Stones being an essential element of the environment the Stone Park which displays a collection of stones is a new experience. Local and foreign scholars who wish to conduct research can have necessary facilities here in a calm and quiet atmosphere. The Bo sapling obtained from the Sri Maha Bodhi grows upon the summit offering a sense of tranquility to everybody.

Beautiful entrance, twin ponds, water parks and stone parks are unique features of the Ambuluwawa summit. Herb gardens and nature bring immense relaxation both to mind and body. Spine plantations and orchards are fine examples which tell us that local agro economy should be developed. International Conference Hall is equipped with all the necessary facilities for conferences. Area above the tank is a forest haunted by deers and sambhars making the environment lively. Roads with sleeps and precipices give you frightening experience. The sub-way below the summit gives you excitement. A restaurant is run in an enchanting location. "Govi Sevana" has been established for the farmers to congregate. An image house of the latest style is being constructed to place the Buddha statue made of stone. The observation room on the top of the mountain provides facilities to admire the superb panorama. An inscription has been installed explaining the objective of the biodiversity complex. Hon. D.M. Jayaratne, Prime Minister creating this wonderful biodiversity complex with relentless pursuit.

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Golf Clubs in Sri Lanka

 Sri Lanka is relatively unknown in the field of Golf, but surprisingly the country has three of the finest 18 hole courses in Asia. In fact the association with golf is more than a century and the Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championship, which was instituted in the year 1891 follows the British Amateur as the oldest national championship in the world. The three courses are situated in Colombo, Digana and Nuwara Eliya, Colombo at sea level, Digana at 600 m and Nuwara Eliya at an elevation of 2'070m have distinctly different terrain and climate conditions. This contributes to the enjoyment and challenge as you could be playing golf in three different countries.

Although the golf tour is planned primarily for golfing, a city tour of Colombo and a visit to Kandy and its sights is included in the programme. Kandy in particular is one of Sri Lanka's many highlights and should not be missed.

The Courses 

 

The Royal Colombo Golf Club: This course is 5'770 m long (par 71). A flat course with broad fairways which looks simple to beginners but there are many water hazards and well guarded bunkers which quickly change the opinion. The Royal Colombo Golf Club is easily accessible, being 20 minutes drive from all first-class hotels in the city.

Victoria Golf Club, Digana: This course is 6'190 m long (par 73) a championship golf course designed by Donald Steel and inaugurated early in 1999. The fairways are rather narrow in a hilly country side. Stately trees and avenues of coconuts lend the course an immediate air maturity. Impressive natural outcrops of rocks are a distinctive feature and indeed a hazard of the course. The Victoria Golf Club is situated 25 km east of Kandy and 150 km from Colombo.

The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club: This course which is reputed to be one of Asia's finest is 5'520 m (par 71). The fairways are long and narrow and bordered by fir trees and thick bushes. It demands skilful "position play" and the hilly terrain makes it essential that players can cope with up-hill and down-hill lies. The Golf Club is 10 minutes.

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Sri Dalada Maligawa

Located in Kandy, long a center of the Buddhist faith, the stunning 17th-century Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is believed to house the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. This precious relic attracts white-clad pilgrims, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani, every day.

History

According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was smuggled to Sri Lanka in 313 AD, hidden in the hair of Princess Hemamali who fled the Hindu armies besieging her father's kingdom in India.

It immediately became an object of great reverence and was enshrined in a series of nested jeweled reliquaries. The tooth was brought out for special occasions and paraded on the backs of elephants, which are sacred to the Buddha. where it survived numerous attempts to capture and destroy it.

When the capital was moved to Kandy, the tooth was taken to the new city and placed in temples built to honor it. The temple was originally built under Kandyan kings between 1687 and 1707, but later severely damaged during the 18th-century colonial wars against the Portugese and Dutch. After the wars, the original wooden structures were restored in stone.

In January 1998 Hindu Tamil separatists bombed the temple, damaging its facade and roof. Restoration began immediately afterward.

BBC Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World

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