Yakahatuwagala / බැලුම්ගල and few sites around Seethawaka

Year and Month	May, 2017
Number of Days	One
Crew	By my self
Accommodation	N/A
Transport	Pajero
Activities	Archaeology, Photography, Hiking
Weather	Sunny
Route	Maharagama -> Avissawella -> Maniyangama -> Thalduwa -> Avissawella -> Salawa -> Maharagama
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 Require a 4WD or a trishaw to get close to Yakahatugala Where clothes which cover your body Explain your intentions clearly
Related Resources	Trip report : From Top to Bottom of Sithawaka Kingdom – Pic Journey 5…
Author	Ashan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Yakahatuwagala / බැලුම්ගල and few sites around Seethawaka

In 2014 I did visit few sites around Awissawella and I wanted to visit those places which I couldnt.

Yakahatuwagala, Avissawella-Panawala Road
Maniyangama RMV, Maniyangama
Sithawaka Palace, Avissawella-Panawala Road
Berandi Kovil, Thalduwa
Tomb of King Rajasinghe, Thalduwa-Meewitigammana Road
Lenawara Cave Temple, Salawa

Early Morning I reached Avissawella and took the road which passed Maniyangama temple. Took a left turn from “Bo maluwa” junction and from there took the Koshena road and at one point parked the vehicle and started walking till I came across Premarathna mama’s house. He was ever so friendly and helpful, it was a 30 minute hike uphill from his house and the last part of the path had steps build along the rock. The best view point was beyond the towers at the summit. From the summit one could appreciate the beauty of Seethawaka kingdom.

Gala balana gala and Yakahatuwagala

Yakatuwagala

Premarathna’s article

trail starts from here

guiding me

on the way view

.	avissawella trade zone

Maniyangama RMV, Maniyangama

near by weheragala

pano

avissawella

.	where the queens had their bath

Gala balana gala seen

.	getting down

After reaching back I said good bye to Premarathna and headed towards Maniyangama temple. There is one lovely caved image house which one should visit. There were paintings belonging to kandyan era but unfortunately in bad shape.

Maniyangama RMV, Maniyangama

entrance for the high cast

low cast entrance

faded

view from the temple

Next stop was Seethawaka palace. Its also found on Maniyangama road and I paid a visit to it while I was heading towards A7.

.	palace of seethawaka kingdom

excavating

clay

After reaching A7 I crossed the Kelani bridge to reach Barandi kovil. Gala balana gala and Yakahatuwagala is seen nicely from here.

.	Birandi kovil

.	gala balana gala

I went further towards Thalduwa and took the Meewitigammana road for about 2Km’s. The sign post for the tomb of King Rajasinghe could be easily seen at that point on the left hand side.

the tomb

.	old sports club from colonial era

From Thalduwa I headed towards Avissawella and from there I headed towards Salawa and from the junction I took the Akaravita road to reach Lenavara RMV which was 3Km’s away. In addition to the drip ledge caves there was a nice view point too. After hanging around a bit I headed back home to end my quick visit to Avissawella.