Badulla
Scenically set within the lush valley
of the river Badulu Oya on the south-eastern
of the hill country ringed by mountain
Namunukala, 230 km from Colombo
is the capital of Uva Province,
on a lower elevation of 660m is
the crossroads town of Badulla.
Situated at lower elevation of 660m,
the temperatures are hot during
the day though fresh and cool at
night. By rail it is 9 to 11 hours
whilst if you travel through private
or bus transport you can reach this
scenic town in 8 hours.
Badulla is considered as one of
the oldest towns in the island was
the home of the Portuguese and the
British. Today Badulla is a modern
busy and important town with crowded
streets which acts a central transport
centre for travelers journeying
to the hills to enjoy a relaxing
holiday to those going to the east
to bask in the hot sun.
Badulla is well-represented by churches
and temples that each has its own
slice of history, providing proof
of the town’s ancient past.
In colonial days Badulla used to
have a very attractive club that
offered horseracing, golf, tennis,
cricket, and crocquet where the
local planters, known throughout
the island as the merry men of Uva,
lived up to their reputation. A
bit further north along King Street
is the beautiful, quaint Victorian
church, St Mark’s built in
1845 in memory of the British Major
Thomas W. Rogers. Visible from the
road is the tall bell tower and
arched entrance porch for worshippers
and visitors depicts this truth.
The white and grey painted church’s
windows incorporate beautiful stained
glass depicting the crucifix of
Jesus, characters of town residents,
tea planters and elephant hunters
and a stone carved octagonal font
dedicated to the warden. Further
down the road you will find a quite
Hispanic looking St. Mary’s
Cathedral.
Down Lower street is the 18th century
Buddhist Kataragama Devale which
houses an image of Kataragama with
God Saman and Vishnu on either side.
On the south of the Badulla town
near the rail station located is
the Muthiyangana Vihara that dates
back to 2000 years to the times
of King Devanampiya Tissa and adjoining
this is the ancient museum displaying
artifacts of the past.
Badulla is fortunate in having two
remarkable attractions nearby: the
impressive 63 meter drop Dunhinda
Falls, the seventh highest in the
country about 3.5 km from the town,
the temple known as Bogoda Raja
Maha Vihara dating back to first
century of the Anuradhapura era
and an ancient architectural marvel
- the wooden, roofed 12th century
Bogoda Bridge situated 12 kilometers
on the west of the town. This bridge,
which spans a river between two
imposing rocks, has a platform of
three extensive logs. Furthermore
in the centre, support is provided
by a pair of massive tree trunks
topped by a crossbar.
For all those who love adventures
you will never be disheartened.
The moderate easy climb up the Namunukala
2036 meter mountain is energetic
and a worthwhile excursion. The
jungly one-and-a-half kilometer
trek down into the damp valley to
reach the Dunhinda falls is enjoyable.
You could arrange mountain bikes,
organize a trip to the Ury Tea Estate
and flower garden and a visit to
the Black Pool, which is a large,
dark body of water fed by a small
waterfall in which you can swim.
Accommodation is never a problem.
One could find decent night spent
to a cozy bed with breakfast enhanced
by the great views of mountain Namunukala
and the Dunhinda falls. Be sure
to check with you guide on the various
available package while you plan
the travel. If you want to enjoy
the calmeth of the nature and the
mountain breeze it is best to head
towards the northern end of town
where it is quieter The town is
best through out the year.
Thus An ancient hill country town,
Badulla at the end of the railway
line is a place never to be missed
when you the Taprobane. If you pass
through this enchanted town you
cannot resist its unusual ambience
as you watch the sunset illuminate
the mountain peaks and create a
magical rainbow through the falls.
