Belonging to Sri Lanka’s impressive collection of dams and reservoirs, the Kotmale Reservoir is a colossal and impressive man-made phenomenon that nestles in the island’s mist covered hill country.
The Kotmale Reservoir, which is the second largest hydroelectric power station in Sri Lanka, lies off the huge hydroelectric and irrigation dam that’s been dug deep into the valley between the Tispane and Kadadora hills. Construction took place from 1979-1985 and it’s one of the largest hydropower schemes that the country has ever undertaken.
As the reservoir generously envelops the surrounding mountain ranges with its majestic size and creates a breathtaking view, the scenery is reflected in this vast body of water.
But beneath the murky depths of this reservoir lies a curious feature. Submerged under the waters that power this country is a network of villages that were once home to over 3,000 families. More than 14 tea estates, 57 villages and about 54 ancient temples have now created an eerie landscape under 800,000 cubic metres of water.
This ghostly scene surfaces during the dry season and ruins of the Kadadora Vihara, sculptured Buddha statues, scattered pathways and dismantled buildings emerge through the slowly receding waters.
The Kadadora Vihara has become a popular topic for visitors to the island as it’s one of the only surviving temples that can be seen when the water levels drop. The statue of the meditating Buddha that’s revealed during the drought shows a unique art form along with a range of celestial deities that overhang the statue. These ruins first emerged in 2009, three decades after the reservoir was built and the country was facing a severe dry spell. They were later exposed in 2016 during another drought and the last time these ruins were seen was in early 2019.
Nicola loves nature/wildlife photography, creative designing and travelling.
