Travel
Mahiyangana
by Nilma Dole
Despite controversies on the
rights of the veddas, the Maduru Oya National Park has been declared as
a vedda reservation site. With a history so rich and possibly the only
connection Sri Lankans have to their ancestors, the well-being of the
veddas should be taken into consideration. It's true, the veddas have
means of living and their children are being educated in a vedda school
while some veddas have graduated to being business people and talking on
mobile phones. However, the veddas do like it when tourists and domestic
travellers visit them. Having a different language where one might hear
names like 'Kekuli' and 'Kekuli-pojji', it is good to know that history
is still preserved in places like Dolagahawela, Muthugalwela passing
Mahiyangana.
You can even see a vedda Museum where ancient artifacts and
African-like paintings grace its mud walls. The vegetable dyes used to
create the paintings are evident since they are very soft in colour with
dark tones right around. Don't be scared if the veddas themselves make
an appearance, they dance and sing on your request and if you're a
local, Rs. 100 is more than enough to make them happy. The bones and
skulls of the animals in the museum look like the work of taxidermy, but
the horns really give you something to think about.
The surroundings of the museum are for display with tree-houses and
thatched roof tied together with coconut leaves. The reservation site is
like a village in the jungle; so be careful if animals pop into greet
you.
The veddas do look like normal villagers as they wear sarongs and
shirts but the only thing that gives them away is the language and the
way they behave and reveal their body language.
Around 7km east from Hasalaka, the bustling town of Mahiyangana is
recorded in the great chronicle of Sri Lanka as the first of the three
places in Sri Lanka which the Buddha visited. The others are Kelaniya
Royal Temple and Sri Pada (Adam's Peak). Following the launch of the
greatest modern irrigation scheme of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli Ganga (Mahaweli
River) Scheme, the town was laid out to serve the new irrigation
districts.
Opposite the temple, north of Kandy Road, six statues of Sinhalese
leaders have been erected: three ancient kings and two of modern
stalwarts of the nation namely King Devanampiyatissa, King Dutugamunu of
Ruhuna, King Parakramabahu the great, King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe, the
first Prime Minister of Ceylon Rt. Honourable Don Stephen Senanayake.
Along the way, you'll witness the glory and beauty of the Mahiyangana
Raja Maha Vihara Stupa which is believed to be the spot where the Buddha
preached. Enshrined in the stupa is a lock of blue-black hair of Buddha
and a relic of the Buddha's collarbone.
The area is very attractive as the park with the Dagoba is well-maintaind
with beautiful scenery overlooking the far bank of the Mahaweli.
Also, the Sorabora Wewa where the Sorabora rainwater reservoir gushes
with crystal clear water, is on the outskirts of Mahiyangana on the road
to Bibile. According to the legend; a giant is said to have created the
dam.
So Mahiyangana is a great place to discover your roots and witness
history, culture and human advancement in one place!
Pix: Charitha Neelakshi
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