BADULLA

Badulla (Sinhalese: බදුල්ල, Tamil: பதுளை) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of Uva Province and the Badulla District. Badulla is located 60 km southeast of Kandy, almost encircled by the Badulu Oya (River), about 680 metres (2200 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by picturesque hills and mountains, most of which have tea plantations.

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Geography[edit]

It is located on the southeast of Kandy, almost encircled by the Badulu Oya River, about 680 metres (2200 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by tea plantations. The city is overshadowed by the Namunukula range of mountains (highest peak 2,016 metres above sea level). It was a base of a pre-colonial Sinhalese local prince (regional king) who ruled the area under the main King in Kandy before it became part of the British Empire. Later, it became one of the provincial administrative hubs of the British rulers. The city was the end point of upcountry railway line built by the British in order to take mainly tea plantation products to Colombo.

Badulla is about 230 km away from Colombo towards the eastern slopes of the central hills of Sri Lanka. There are multiple routes to Badulla from Colombo, Kandy and Galle. From Colombo, one can travel via Ratnapura, Balangoda, Haputale, Bandarawela and HaliEla along A4 and A16 to Badulla which may take about 5–6 hours. From Kandy there are two routes. Either via "Victoria-Randenigala Raja Mawatha" or via Nuwara Eliya (route A5). From Galle, the best route is via Matara, Hambantota, Wellawaya, Ella, Demodara and HaliEla (route A2). All routes are scenic and one can get splendid views of geography which changes while travelling. Badulla and surroundings are highly recommended for eco-tourists as Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles mountains are few hours away.

Tourist attractions[edit]

Muthiyangana temple, is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the middle of Badulla. It is regarded as one of the Solosmasthana, the sixteen sacred places in Sri Lanka, believed by Buddhists to have been visited by Gautama Buddha.

Dunhinda Falls, a 64 metres (210 ft) high waterfall, located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of Badulla. Dunhinda waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls of Sri Lanka mentioned on several famous songs and works of literature which draws many local and foreign tourists to the region.

Dhowa temple, a 2,000-year-old rock temple, located on the Badulla-Bandarawela Road. The Dhowa temple contains a 12 metres (39 ft) unfinished Buddha statue carved into the surrounding rock.

Bogoda ancient wooden bridge, is one of the oldest surviving wooden bridges in the country (being over 400 years old) and is located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) south of Badulla, close to the town of Hali-ela.