BADULLA | MONARAGALA

Uva Province

all in one place to experience

Uva Province is full of variety. Its landscape and even climate is different from one to another.

An overview of Uva Province

The land area of Uva Province amounts to about 8,500 km². This makes it the 4th largest province by land area out of 9. However, it is the second least populated province. Although a small number of people live there, it is rich in diversity. This province has 2 districts. Namely Badulla and Monaragala.

The name Uva

It is interesting how this area got its iconic name. The tales from history say it is ‘hoo-wa’ which evolved into ‘Uva’. The ‘hoo-wa’ is the sound of wind blowing through the mountains.

In the Anuradhapura era, the term ‘Hoowakannika’ was also used to refer to the area.

The history

There are evidences on pre-historic settlement in the Uva province. According to the tools, artifacts and bones, it was a hunting ground and a place they have lived. The discoveries were made in Madolsima, Bandarawela, Ravana Ella, Bibile Nilgala cave and Haputale areas. This also gives important cues from how humans transformed from forest culture to agriculture. This era dates back to 28,500 and 12,500 years.

There are also temples in the province that belong to Buddha’s time. This tells us the area played a major role in spreading Buddhism in the country. Moreover, there are many Buddhist temples of historic value.

Also this area was a battlefield during many wars. Out of them, ‘Uva-wellassa’ is the most famous uprising. This battle took place against the British.

Badulla

The Badulla district is the second district in the Uva province. It has a land area of about 2,861 km2 . Hence it is the smallest district in the province compared to Monaragala. However, unlike Monaragala, there are a lot of hill areas in this district. The elevation is relatively higher. This is what makes this province so unique. Since many geographic characters are combined in one. Also this higher elevation makes some parts of the districts to have a lower temperature. Meanwhile, the temperature in Monaragala is the opposite of it. Regardless, Badulla has many tourist attraction sites. Again the list is long. So we will be jotting down a few that might be of interest to you.

Ella Rock

One cannot forget Ella rock with the Badulla district. It is the most famous place to go on hikes in Sri Lanka. It is not only locals who go there. But also the foreign travelers come in groups to hike. People come here to camp for several nights. The hike assures a breath taking morning view. While the walking and hiking part in itself is enjoyable, the natural sceneries are too one of a kind.

Ella is the town this mountain belongs to. It is a beautiful village with many hill areas surrounding it. Since this hill country is at an altitude of 1,041 meters (3,415 ft), this is the perfect place to get a bird’s eye view on the entire area. In order to reach the rocks, it takes about 8km (5 miles) from the main town Ella. There are sign posts that guide the hikers on the route to take. Also there are tour guides available too. In addition, it is famously known that some friendly dogs too show the correct route! That would certainly add joy to the whole experience.

Demodara Railway station
Demodara Railway station is one place people visit to get picture worthy locations in the background. The specialty of this railway station is its spiral rail line. The train track follows a loop like design. When it comes to the engineering aspect of the railway, it is advanced and fascinating too. On the way, lies the famous Nine Arch Bridge too.

Historically, this railway was used to transport tea from Badulla to Colombo. When building the railway, the geography was the main challenge for engineers. The folklore says that a farmer suggested designing the railway similar to his turban. The Demodara loop is about 441 feet long. There is a tunnel to pass during the journey too. Interestingly, the station is exactly above the tunnel. This loop has an international significance too. Because it is the only spiral loop in a railway with the station above the tunnel.

Halpewatte Tea factory

As much as it is a tea factory, it is a tourist destination too. Many people visit here to experience the natural surroundings as well as to witness the process of making tea.

The British built this tea factory around 1940. Hence, it is more than 70 years old. It is about 1,230 meters above sea level. Which means one can experience the cool breeze in the climate there. It is the largest tea producer in the Uva province. And one can have the real tea experience there with a chance to take part in tea tasting sessions.

Dunhinda Falls

If anyone happens to visit Badulla, Dunhinda falls is a must visit. It is about 5 Km from the main Badulla town. And the waterfall is about 64 meters long. The waterfall got its name because of the mist surrounding the area. Interestingly, one can actually experience the soothing misty vibe in the vicinity of the waterfall.

This waterfall is also known as bridal fall. Because the shape of the fall is similar to a bridal veil. The Uva province is full of excitement and natural beauty for someone visiting there. It will surely be an unforgettable lifetime experience.

Monaragala District

Monaragala district has a fairly large area of about 5,636 km2 . Thus this makes it rank second in land area. Also it has about 12 Divisional Secretariats. The main city is Monaragala. In this large district, there are many attractive places for tourists to see. Some of them are listed below.

Dambegoda temple

This temple is in Maligawila, which is about 15 minutes away from the Monaragala town. The specialty of this temple is the huge Bodhisattva statue. Specifically, it is about 16 meters long. Also the width on the shoulders is about 3 meters. Scholars argue that statue represents Maitree Bodhisattva image. Buddhists believe that Maitree Bodi Satva is waiting to become the next Budhha in heaven. The statute stands on carved lotus base. The gesture of the hand is special and often rare among the Bodhisattva statues.

Buddama temple
It is a cave temple in Budama village. Interestingly there was evidence of earliest settlements in this village. Thus the government named this a as an archeological site. The initiation of the temple dates back to the third century BC. There were early Buddhists who came to worship the temple.

Further, there are about 20 caves in the temple. Also, there are many Buddhist statues inside the temple. One of them is a large reclining statue. Similarly, the art of the temple is fascinating too. Uniquely, the temple is decorated with many floral designs.
Lastly, we need to mention the dragon arch at the entrance. It is made out of clay and enough to keep anyone wondering in awe.

Ellewala ella falls

It is not only the temples that attract people to Monaragala. But also the surrounds of natural beauty. The best example is Ellewala ella falls. This waterfall is inside a jungle about5 Km from the main town Wellawaya. If someone is coming to see the jungle they have to have a 4 wheel vehicle for the last few kilometers. Because the road is rusty. However, to get to the waterfall, one will have to walk for about 100m.

The scenery of the jungle together with the waterfall is simply amazing. A bonus point is that it is not as crowded as other famous waterfalls. Therefore, it will guarantee a peaceful time.