Around Waduwawa

Year and Month	September, 2017
Number of Days	One
Crew	Chamara, Kasun & My self
Accommodation	N/A
Transport	Car
Activities	Archaeology, Photography
Weather	Gloomy and drizzling
Route	Chilaw -> Kuliyapitiya -> Narammala -> Wadakada -> Polgahawela -> Waduwawa -> Wadakada -> Narammala -> Returned along the same route
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Take a bottle of water Do not carry Plastic items (Minimize), Make sure you bring back everything you took. Get permission from the head priest Ask directions from locals Some places require 4WD or trishaws Explain your intentions clearly
Author	Ashan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Around Waduwawa

Waduwawa was one of my friends home village. Ever since I had heard about the lovely area from him I always wanted to pay a visit. Early morning after finishing a quick hike to Yogamu kanda we started to explore along the Polgahawela – Narammala road which ran through Waduwawa.

On our way Yogamu kanda was seen on the right hand side and there were many temples at the base of this mountain which we intended to visit.

Yatigal oluwa purana Gale bandara devalaya (7°20’7.85″N 80°16’8.22″E)

This Devalaya was 500m’s towards the right of Narammala road. One needs a trishaw to reach it. The main cave was closed since it was not a “Kemmura” day and we also came across another drip ledge cave close by.

Yatigal oluwa purana gale bandara devalaya

the cave behind the devalaya

another cave

front view

Bambaragala RMV (7°20’33.44″N 80°15’42.47″E)

Next target was Bambaragala which was at the base of a rocky hill which could be seen from the summit of Yogamuwa. It is located 300m’s away towards the right of Narammala road and to get to the main cave one needs to climb a fleet of steps. Since there was no one around we couldnt see in side the cave (images attached were taken on 2018 Vesak day). There was a metal stairway towards the rock which we climbed up to enjoy a splendid 1Km walk along the rock with fantastic scenery.

steps of bambaragala rmv

main cave

bambaragala cave

.	makara thorana

restoring

murals

bo tree

climbing bambaragala

yogamu kanda seen

.	more to walk

.	Mahameuwnawa Polgahawela

kite time

childhood

partners

urinal

Thun dola tank (7.361444, 80.253463)

At Waduwawa Dispensary we took the right hand road to visit Thun dola tank which is a secluded location for a calm bath but filled with danger.

thun dola tank

Thun dola spill

paddy cultivated by thun dola

Kandayaya purana poth gul viharaya (7°21’34.49″N 80°14’40.59″E)

Passing the famous Polgahawela Mahameuwnawa we reached the road side temple called poth gul viharaya. There were two drip ledged caves where one was heavily modified.

Kandayaya purana poth gul viharaya bo tree

drip ledge

siri pathula

.	another moonstone

modified cave

pagoda

sal

Raanagala ambalama(7.380527, 80.243770)

We wanted to visit Wadakada area so we took the Wadakada route without proceeding towards Narammala and on our way we reached Raanagala ambalama. This fascinating monument is found just before Raanagala temple. Dont forget to stop and rest there a bit if you happen to pass by.

Renagala ambalama

roof

door

art

view from ambalama

Raanagala Raja maha viharaya (7°22’54.16″N 80°14’44.99″E)

Passing the ambalama the entrance to to Raanagala temple is to be found. The fleet of steps will take one towards the panoramic “maluwa”. This is a must visit place if you are traveling along this route. Other than the scenery the carved well on the rock was a fascinating finding for us.