A land steeped in culture and heritage, Mahiyanganaya is a quiet town on the banks of the Mahaweli River as it passes through Badulla. Located in a valley, Mahiyanganaya has a rich heritage that dates back centuries.
History notes that Lord Buddha once visited Mahiyanganaya on Duruthu full moon poya day to settle a dispute between the Yakkas and Nagas – two local tribes that lived in the area. It’s believed that it was his first visit to the island.
Mahiyanganaya is now home to Sri Lanka’s indigenous Veddha people who live in the forests of Dambana, away from modern life. One of the world’s primitive tribes, the Veddhas are considered descendants of the Yakka and Naga tribes that inhabited Sri Lanka even before 505 BCE.
As one of the 16 sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka known as Solosmasthana, the ancient Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is one of the main attractions here as the pure white stupa stands out over the area.
Another ancient heritage site in Mahiyanganaya is the Sorabora Wewa – a massive ancient reservoir built during the reign of King Dutugemunu (161 BC-137 BC) apparently by a giant named Bulatha. This makes it one of the earliest hydrological constructions in the country. The area surrounding the lake is a famed birding area as a variety of raptors and other small birds are easily spotted here.
Nicola loves nature/wildlife photography, creative designing and travelling.
