Visit to Mahaweli Maha Seya

Sri Lanka is world renowned for its giant Dagobas and some huge ones are considered must see places to visit in Anuradhapura.I got this rare opportunity to visit one when it was still under construction and because it was under construction I was able to go inside it as well. It really is a great feeling when you are able to to view these huge structures from inside and not many get this opportunity as well. It is built on top of a mountain near the Kotmale reservoir so if you can get the necessary permission you can visit the dam as well. Below are some pictures of Mahaweli maha seya near Kotmale.

Mahaweli Maha Seya in Kotmale

Mahaweli Maha Seya from a distance

Inside Mahaweli Maha Seya

Visit to Ambuluwawa mountain in Gampola

Ambuluwawa mountain is considered one of the must visit places in the Gampola area and although its a hard journey some people do climb the mountain on foot. Luckily for me we were able to higher a van to go to mountain top. It is somewhat a steep mountain so even in a van sometimes its not possible to go the full distance. However the journey is worth it because it offers one of the most beautiful scenes you can ever see. Ambuluwawa was built as a symbol of religious harmony in Sri Lanka and you can find a temple , a church , a Hindu kovil and a mosque there. The great thing is you can go to the top of the Dagoba in the mountain giving you a feeling of being in the sky.

Although not considered a top tourist attraction in Sri Lanka it does attract some tourists and everyday lots of locals visit there. There is a beautiful landscaped garden for you to spend some time and you can get some amazing picture from the top of the mountain. A great place to visit if you are in Gampola. Below are some picture of Ambuluwawa mountain

The Dagoba on top of Ambuluwawa mountain

You can climb all the way to the top of Dagoba

Landscaped gardens in Ambuluwawa mountain

Viewing pavilion on top of Ambuluwawa mountain

Visit to Gods Paradise Nature Resort

As often the case I went to Gods paradise nature resort for a outing organized by the company. It is a great place for a one day outing because it is relatively close to Colombo and only about 1.5 hours drive from your own vehicle. The bungalow is located near a beautiful fresh water stream and the place is surrounded by the jungle making it an ideal location for nature lovers. If you are interested in camping , hiking or trekking those could also be arranged by the hotel staff.

When it comes to activities bathing in the nearby fresh water stream is the best thing if you are going there for an one day visit. If you bring the necessary items like charcoal and meat the hotel staff will prepare a barbecue for you near the water stream. If you are planning to stay overnight there is one family room and two double rooms with attached bathrooms. I found it a great place to enjoy nature in a very secluded area. Thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the place.

If you are looking to visit places then you can visit a world heritage site like Sinharaja , some caves where some of the oldest evidence of man kind were found or simple visit the nearby forest. Below are some pictures taken during the visit.

The path to the bungalow is thorough the beautiful virgin forests

Beautiful fresh water stream running by the bungalow