**Matale**
-**Matale is a major city in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It serves as the administrative capital and is the largest urbanized city in the Matale District. Nestled in the heart of the Central Highlands, Matale lies in a broad, green, fertile valley at an elevation of 364 meters (1,194 feet) above sea level. The city is surrounded by the Knuckles Mountain Range, and during British colonial times, the foothills were known as Wiltshire. The historic Aluvihare Rock Temple, located to the north of the city’s suburb, is where the Pali Canon was completely written down in text on ola (palm) leaves in 29 BCE. Matale has a rich history, and it is the only district in Sri Lanka where an ancient book of written history, known as “Pannagamam” (meaning “Five-Headed Serpent” in English), is found. This book is associated with the Goddess Muthumari in the Sri Muthumariamman Temple. Additionally , folktales offer various explanations for the origin of the name “Matale,” including its gradual transformation from “Mahathala ” to its current form.
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| Photo by Krivec Ales |
**Meemure**
-**Meemure is a village with a population of about 420 people living in it. It is located near the border between Kandy District and Matale District in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Meemure is one of the most remote villages in Sri Lanka with the only access via a 14 km (8.7 mi) trail from the town of Loolwatte. There is no cellular service available in the village, but a CDMA telephone service is available. Residents of the village depend on several staple crops including pepper , cardamom , paddy and ginger. The distance from Colombo capital to Meemure is about 175 km. Meemure is a tranquil village surrounded by the Knuckles Mountain Range. Located near the border between Kandy District and Matale District , it offers an authentic rural experience for nature enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.
-**Despite its ancient origins, Meemure remains a vibrant home to around 100 families. The elderly villagers continue to live a simple life , relying mainly on cultivation. Everywhere you look, you’ll find lush green paddy fields and crops of ginger, pepper, and cardamom. The fertile soil supports their livelihood, and traditional farming methods are still prevalent. Herds of buffaloes graze peacefully in the fields, as animals play a crucial role in both cultivation and animal husbandry. The villagers are calm , innocent , and deeply connected to their land. Fresh food comes directly from their own crops , and traditional Sri Lankan dishes delight the taste buds.
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| Image by Karuvadgraphy from Pixabay |
Attractions:
Gurugoda Ella: A stunning waterfall cascades down from a higher elevation, adding to the village’s natural beauty.
Natural Pools: Slip into the refreshing waters of natural pools scattered around the area.
Lakegala: Lakegala mountain is in Meemure village. This massive rock formation seems to kiss the sky as it stands guard over the village. Trekking around Lakegala offers breathtaking views and a sense of awe.
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| Image by Ideal Solutions from Pixabay |
**Sembuwatta Lake** -**Sembuwatta Lake** is a tourist attraction situated at Elkaduwa in the Matale District of Sri Lanka, adjacent to the Campbell's Lane Forest Reserve. Sembuwatta Lake is a man-made lake created from natural spring water. Alongside the lake is a natural swimming pool The lake’s depth is believed to be 9 meters (30 feet) to 12 meters (39 feet). it belongs to the Elkaduwa Plantations and serves as a source of electricity for the nearby villagers. Interestingly, the lake and its surroundings were renovated by Radley Dissage, the estate superintendent of Elkaduwa Plantations, who connected the lake to nearby water fountains.
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| Author Sivanandhan Dishanthan |
**Nalanda Gedige **
-**Nalanda Gedige is an ancient complete stone temple near Matale, Sri Lanka and its original site is considered the geographical centre of Sri Lanka.The building was constructed between the 8th and 10th centuries with dravidian architecture in (Pallava style) and is believed to have been used by Buddhists. The original location is regarded as Sri Lanka's geographic center. Built throughout the eighth and tenth centuries , this impressive temple displays Pallava-inspired Dravidian architecture. It's thought that Buddhists used it, however some historians characterize it as a Mahayana cult temple with strong Tantric learning. The temple’s design resembles that of a Hindu temple, featuring a mandapa, an entrance hall (originally roofed), a short passage leading to a bare cell, and an ambulatory around the holy center. Notably, a statue of the God Kubera appears on the south side of the tympanum over the sanctuary, a feature unique to Sri Lanka. It is thought that the elaborately adorned facade parts, which are mostly in the South Indian style, date back to the eighth or eleventh century. The historic architectural magnificence of Sri Lanka is attested to by Nalanda Gedige , which combines Buddhist and Hindu architectural features.
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| Author Anton Croos |
**Riverstone**
-**Riverstone Gap is located in the Matale district of Sri Lanka. The gap offers stunning views for hikers and travelers. You’ll be surrounded by lush greenery and rugged cliffs. Two waterfalls, namely Sera Ella and Bambarakiri Ella, are located in the vicinity. These waterfalls add to the natural beauty of the area.The journey from Matale to Riverstone Gap is quite scenic, with winding roads and beautiful landscapes. You’ll pass through lush greenery and enjoy the fresh air.
-**Riverstone is nestled within the Knuckles Mountain Range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies approximately 30 km from the town of Matale. The journey to Riverstone along the Matale–Girandurukotte road is quite scenic, with winding roads and hairpin turns. The area offers breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Riverstone is located in the wet zone of Sri Lanka, which means it’s rich in biodiversity. The highland evergreen forests are home to a variety of unusual plant species , such as ferns , bamboo, grasses, and mosses. Look for native freshwater fish species in the streams, such as the "Galpandiya." Because Riverstone is located in a highland area, it frequently experiences mist throughout the year. For better vistas, summer is the best season because winter might bring out the mist more.
**Knuckles Mountain Range**
-**The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, in the Districts of Matale and Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District. Whilst this name was assigned by early British surveyors, the Sinhalese residents have traditionally referred to the area as Dumbara Kanduvetiya meaning Mist-laden Mountain Range. The higher montane region is often enveloped in thick layers of cloud. Beyond its aesthetic value , the range holds significant scientific interest. It serves as a climatic microcosm of the rest of Sri Lanka , showcasing the conditions of all the climatic zones in the country..
-**At higher elevations, isolated cloud forests harbor a diverse array of flora and fauna. Despite constituting only approximately 0.03% of the island’s total area, the Knuckles Mountain Range hosts a disproportionately high share of the country’s biodiversity. More than 34 percent of Sri Lanka’s endemic trees, shrubs, and herbs are found exclusively in these forests. In recognition of its ecological importance, the Knuckles Conservation Forest was included in the UNESCO natural world heritage list in 2010 as part of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. The Knuckles Mountain Range has a variety of hiking paths , waterfalls , caverns and settlements if you're interested in experiencing this breathtaking natural beauty. With 34 peaks and a plethora of wildlife, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a well-liked trekking destination close to Kandy.
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| Image by Полина Андреева from Pixabay |
**Pitawala Pathana**
-**Pitawala Pathana spreads over an area of approximately 10 hectares and is situated by the side of the Rattota – Illukkumbura Road. This pathana has a great ecological value. This grassland is situated by the side of the Rattota - Illukkumbura road in Matale district. In Pitawala Pathana a grass cover spreads over an area of about 1000 acres of a gently sloping rock slab covered with just a thin soil layer. The turf grass of about 10 cm in height gives a velvety appearance to this sloping expanse of grassland. Isolated and scattered trees and shrubs are visible. Many endemic plant and animal species are found. Within Pitawala Pathana, you’ll find a fascinating tapestry of natural features, including varying elevations ranging from 450 to over 1,200 meters2. The grassland is home to many species of animals and plants, some of which are endemic to Sri Lanka. Visitors can explore this haven on earth through guided hikes and enjoy the tranquility of this pristine wilderness.
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| Photo by Dunanjaya Amith |
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| Author Varuna Harshana |
**Aluvihare Rock Temple**
-**The Aluvihare Rock Temple is a sacred Buddhist temple located in Aluvihare , Matale District of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by hills , the Aluvihara cave temple is situated 30 km north of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla road. The Aluvihare Rock Temple , also known as Matale Alu Viharaya, stands as a sacred Buddhist temple in Aluvihare, located within the Matale District of Sri Lanka.
-**In the 3rd Century B.C, during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, the Aluvihare Rock Temple came into existence. Legend has it that King Devanampiyatissa built the dagoba, planted the Bo sapling, and founded the temple after the introduction of Buddhism to the country during his rule. Buddhist texts were crucially preserved at Aluvihare Rock Temple. It was in this location that the holy Buddhist texts known as the Pāli Canon were first fully recorded in writing on olla leaves. Imagine the learned monks carefully recording the teachings so that future generations can benefit from them. Before the transcription was done, about 500 learned monks gathered at this temple , recited , and decided on an appropriate translation. Puskola poth, a term used locally for books composed of olla leaves, was used throughout the entire procedure. The spiritual and aesthetic appeal of this historic location is further enhanced by the presence of monastery caves next to the temple, some of which have frescoes on them.
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| Author Zsandeep |
**Sri Muthumari Amman Kovila**
-**The Sri Muthumariamman Temple, also known as Arulmigu Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil, stands as a sacred, Sri Lanka. The prefix "muthu" literally means pearl. "Mari" means rain and "Amman" means mother in Tamil language. The temple is dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of rain and fertility. The temple is devoted to the worship of Muthumariamman, an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Durga. The land on which the temple now stands was originally part of a paddy field and was gifted by the owner in 1852. The current temple structure was built in 1874, funded by the Nattukkottai Chettiar community. Interestingly, this temple is used by both Hindus and Buddhists. Initially, it was a small statue under a tree, prayed to by the Hindu people, but over time, it has been developed by the local community in Matale. -**One of the visually dominant features of this temple is its 32.9-meter (108-foot) high Gopuram (known as ‘Raja Koburum’). The Raja Koburum is a large decorated tower located above the main northern gateway (‘Vadakku Vaayil’) to the temple. Notably, it is one of the largest Gopurams in Sri Lanka. The temple’s 1008 statues of Hindu deities were meticulously crafted by South Indian sculptor Nagalingam and his son Ramanathan, with the assistance of about 100 designers, painters, and architects from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. The impressive Raja Koburum was completed in 2007 at a cost of approximately Rs 150 million. The main religious festivals, including the chariot festival, are celebrated during February or March on an annual basis. The temple boasts five ornate chariots, which convey statues of Hindu deities around the city during the ‘Ther’ or ‘Vettai Thiruvizha’ (chariot ceremony day). These chariots carry prominent statues of deities such as Ganesha, Shiva, Mahadevi, Murugan, and Chandeshvara Nayanar.
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| Image by Prasanna Devadas from Pixabay |