NANUOYA-THE HIDDEN HAMLET IN SRI LANKA

 

                                                            

                                                                            The World Heritage Site of Dumbara or Knuckles Mountains is an area of ​​nearly 21,000 hectares of lush green forest.  Around these forests, the villages of the simple villagers who made their homeland from the past still survive today.  No matter how rapidly the world pursues modernization, the culture of urban sprawl has not yet arrived in these rural areas.  Their lives are simple.  Mostly self-sufficient.  The main reasons for this are the lack of proper roads and the lack of proper electricity.  According to official statistics, there are 86 villages around the Dumbara range where these simple villagers make it a habit to walk around the city once a week and return with their belongings.

                                                                           The village of 'Atanwala' in Laggala Udasiyapattu in the Matale District is another isolated village with a free and self-sufficient lifestyle surrounded by the Knuckles Mountains.  To reach this village one has to travel from Matale to Illukkumbura via Riverston-Pitawalapathana.  It is difficult for large vehicles to travel on that road and after another 4km footpath from Rathninda, after crossing the Thelgamu Oya, you will come across the village of Atenwala

                                                                          In this rural way of life which shows the beauty of the past to this day, paddy fields, vegetable cultivation, raising dairy cows and buffaloes, and kithul milking have become their livelihood.  The Manigala rock is located behind the village of Atenwala.  This hill station is associated with many legends and is a major tourist attraction for night campers. 

One of the reasons for this is the ability to experience the beauty of the bone village from the top with the eyes.

Considering the village of Aten and the lifestyle of its villagers, these villagers are accustomed to eating betel leaves instead of betel leaves.  It is the custom of these villagers, who consider the river Ganga Bandara to be their deity, to offer their first harvest to the river Ganga Bandara during sowing and harvesting.  Even today, if you visit here, you will still be able to see the paddy fields and the mud huts instead of the gates. The 'Thelgamu Oya' mentioned earlier is a very beautiful stream and is also suitable for bathing.

 Although the village of Meemure, which belongs to the villages around Knuckles mentioned above, has been gradually developed due to its tourist attraction, it has also posed a serious threat to this World Heritage Ecosystem due to its relative environmental degradation.  Therefore, if you are traveling to see the rural life of the village of Aton, you should keep in mind that this ecosystem must be protected. CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT SRI LANKA

Read More

GREEN MOUNTAIN PARADISE IN SRI LANKA

 

                                           Maskeliya can be described as a beautiful place where those who use the Hatton Road for Sri Pada Karuna pass by.  Located on the grounds of the Maussakelle Reservoir, this area has attracted the attention of local and foreign tourists alike due to its unique natural beauty.

                                                One of the most striking features of that beauty is the majestic 'Gatmore and Murray' waterfalls that cascade down into the Maussakelle Reservoir.Located at a distance of about 140 km from Colombo, the easiest way to reach this waterfall is from Colombo via the Maskeliya Norton Road.

                               If you come to Maskeliya and can't find your way from there, ask someone and they won't say no.

The Maussakelle Reservoir is fed by these two waterfalls, and from a height of about 45 feet, you can enjoy the view of the falls from different angles, creating a spectacular view during the rainy season.  But to experience the beauty of the pair of waterfalls from the same angle, you have to go to the middle of the lake with the help of a boat or watch from the air.

                               Gatmore Falls is also known as 'Sri Pada Falls' as it is located close to the top of Sri Pada Hill.  To see this waterfall you have to travel from Maskeliya to Gatmore Estate and your journey will be easier if you travel by private vehicle like motorbike even though public transport services are active from Maskeliya.

                              The road in the middle of the estate is a bit slippery and the precipice is on the side so be careful before traveling.  Although there are viewing booths set up to see Gatmore, many tourists are eager to visit the falls to experience its true beauty and adventure.  You can reach the waterfall after traveling about 6km on a tractor trail that runs through the middle of the tea estate.

                              Murray Falls is formed by a stream of water that starts from the Butterfly Range and joins the Maussakelle Reservoir, breaking into three parts and creating spectacular views.  This waterfall is not hard to find as it is located in one corner of the Murray Estate.  But you have to be careful as you can reach the waterfall through the footpaths near the estate but it is at a somewhat difficult boundary to reach.

 If you visit the Maskeliya area during the rainy season, you can see the beauty of some other beautiful waterfalls and it is wise to avoid bathing or going to the reservoir from unknown places, no matter how beautiful. CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT SRI LANKA

Read More