Beautiful Narangamuwa

Narangamuwa is a beautiful village which situated at Knuckles region and at the base of mighty Lakegala. The mortable approach to Narangamuwa is from Dambulla-Pallegama side but it is connected nearby villages such as Meemure, Ranamure via foot pathways. I have been there more than three times and this is a fair attempt to describe beautiful places of Narangamuwa.

We started the journey from Dambulla and got the bus to Pallegama. Pallegama town is a vanishing area very soon due to Moragahakanda project and it is being replaced at nearby place. Shantha came to Pallegama town to pick us by his threewheel. From Pallegama to Narangamuwa is an almost ascend with fairly bad road. You will pass Ranamure on your way to Narangamuwa.
We stayed overnight at Kapila Banda Mama’s place. Next day was a busy day for us as we had to cover a lot of places at Narangamuwa and around.
We woke up early morning and breakfast was prepared at Shantha’s place. Narangamuwa Lake (නාරoගමුව විල) is situated close to his house and nice place to visit early morning. Shantha’s mother gave us packed lunch in village way. After packing things we started the journey to enjoy the beauty of Narangamuwa.

Early morning view from Narangamuwa towards Moragahakanda construction area.

Narangamuwa Lake/ Wila (නාරoගමුව විල) – It has low water level in dry season.

Narangamuwa Lake/ Wila. (නාරoගමුව විල)

Narangamuwa Lake/ Wila (නාරoගමුව විල)

This is how water comes to Narangamuwa Lake/ Wila. Natural water spring. Good for bath.

Packed lunch in village way.

Weather was excellent in our departure.

Walking along paddies. Beautiful Narangamuwa.

Meeriyagolla Mountain and Lakegala (Narangamuwa peak) are visible in left hand side.

It was the harvest time of paddies

Walking along paddies

We entered the pathway to Meemure (There are two pathways: one goes at base of Lakegala and other avoids Lakegala) which goes at base of Lakegala. Then we entered another foot pathway to reach the meditation Kuti where a foreign monk lives. This Kuti was built by villagers about one year ago. It is the most simplest and beautiful mediation Kuti I have ever seen. The Australian Buddhist Monk was very happy to see us as he hasn’t spoken with someone properly last 2 months due to language problem.

Walking to Knuckles forest Reserve

Passing paddy fields which are at higher level

Passing paddy fields which are at higher level

Using wind power

Knuckles forest reserve

Meeting known people

Beautiful foot pathway

Entered to forest cover

Jumping

Branching off to meditation Kuti

Discussion with Buddhist Monk

The Kuti and the bridge to reach there.

සක්මන් මළුව

සක්මන් මළුව

After having a nice discussion with Buddhist monk we went back and came to original foot pathway. In my next visit to Narangamuwa to climb Lakegala we have contributed for morning alms giving done by villagers.

People are waiting for morning alms giving. The monk comes to a hut closer to village early morning.

That was a special day for him and villagers. He could preach a Bana in English and we have translated into Sinhala.

Narangamuwa is also related to Rawana legend. Some places of Narangamuwa belong to Rawana folks. Uyangomuwa Lake is one of those places. It comes across on your way to Meemure from Narangamuwa. Special feature is, there are trees grown from this lake and covering it’s surface. Reassa (රැස්ස) is a rock formation where some parts of rock have fallen down by the arrow flown by Rama’s bow (Rama Sara) in Rawana Legend. These boulders have fallen into Uyangomuwa Lake (උයන්ගොමුව වැව) and still can be seen. And King Rawana’s garden is seen at the end of this Uyangomuwa Lake. Still you can see fruit trees over there.

Back to original pathway. Another division. One to Meemure and other to Uyangomuwa Lake.

Walking along foot pathway to Meemure.

Major splits of Boulders around Uyangomuwa Lake.

This was taken from an open area of Uyangomuwa Lake. Black arrow might be the pathway of arrow of Rama. Due to this arrow, major part of Meeriyagolla Mountain blasted and scattered along the arrow s shown in red. Still these boulders can be seen when you are at Reassa.

Team at a rest point

The foot pathway lies in Uyangomuwa Lake. No water in dry season.

This is called Rawana’s garden. Still fruit trees can be seen

Kapuwatugala Lena (කපුවැටූගල ලෙන) is also situated closer to Uyangomuwa Lake. It is a cave situated in a rock about 10m above the ground level, needs a short rope to get into it. There are some creeps to get assistance to climb into the cave. It is a nice place and can accommodate about 10-15 people. You can have a nice view of Meeriyagolla Mountain and Lakegala from Kapuwatugala Lena. This place is believed as the storage of grains of Rawana.

Moving away from foot pathway to reach Kapuwatugala Lena

Climbing to Kapuwatugala Lena

View of Meeriyagolla Mountain from Kapuwatugala Lena

At Kapuwatugala Lena

Inside the cave

Getting down with help of Shantha Photo credit oges to Ruvinda

Dried water stream feeding Meeriyagolla Mountain

Our next target was to climb Reassa and Meeriyagolla Mountain. We followed the foot pathway to Meemure and then entered the foot pathway to Lakegala (Narangamuwa). Rahassa is an outgrowth of rock into space where you can have feeling like World’s end. In between Rahassa and Meeriyagolla mountain is the passage of giant arrow. The sharpen cut surface of Meeriyagolla mountain proves it.

Passing first water stream. This water stream lasts even in drought.

Mush rooms in order

Passing second water stream. No water in dry season.

Crossing the fence. The area of Meeriyagolla Mountain and Lakegala is used for cattle. This fence to prevent their coming back to village.

Beyond the fence

Following the foot pathway to Reassa. This area called Komala Pathana (කෝමලා පතන)

View of Meeriyagolla Mountain and Lakegala (Narangamuwa peak)

Lakegala (Narangamuwa) peak

We three at Reassa with the back drop of Meeriyagolla Mountain.

View of Kapuwatugala Lena from Rahassa

Sharpen surface of Meeriyagolla Mountain cut by the arrow.

Shantha and Kapila Banda

Moragahakanda construction area and Narangamuwa

Paddy fields at Narangamuwa we passed

Wannimana (වන්නිමාන) and Katukithula (කටුකිතුල) mountains-These are two giants situated in front of Lakegala and Meeriyagolla Mountains.

Meeriyagolla Mountain and Lakegala (Narangamuwa) are the hallmark of Narangamuwa. Those were our next targets. First we hide our bags along bushes as it is not needed to carry unnecessary things for climbing. We walked along the base of the rock. My first impression of Meeriyagolla Mountain was kind of a difficult rock to tackle. But once we reached it’s base the mind was changed. There are enough bushes to hold and luckily it was the dry season to have non slippery rock surface. Meeriyagolla Mountain might be 1200m tall and top is flat and covered with Mana bushes. You can have a nice 270 degree view from Meeriyagolla Mountain. Structures were seen: Wannimana and Katukithula Mountains in front, Thunhisgala, Kalupahana area, Knuckles peaks, Yahangala, Kehelpothdoruwegala, Karagahathanna, Maningala, Pitawala Pathana, Narangamuwa, Construction of Moragahakanda Reservoir, Mahiyangana area, Meemure etc.

Initial part of climbing Meeriyagolla Mountain. Kapila Banda and Shantha are heading. It was not difficult to go on rock.

Rest point

There are enough bushes to hold

Nirosh has given up the journey in half way. Ruvinda is enjoying the beauty.

The slope. Misty hills seen far away are Knuckles range. Katukithula Mountain is the most front one to Meeriyagolla.

Beauty

On top of Meeriyagolla Mountain. Lakegala (Narangamuwa) peak is seen in side.

Lakegala (Narangamuwa) peak

On top of Meeriyagolla Mountain

On top of Meeriyagolla Mountain

Thunhisgala and Knuckles range

Cloud cover over Knuckles range

Constructions of Moragahakanda reservoir

View from Meeriyagolla peak

Coming back

Coming back