The Knuckles Range (Dumbara Hills)

a mirror to the past:

The Knuckles Mountain Range covers parts of Kandy and Matale districts and is separated from the Central Hills by the Mahaveli Valley to the South and East and the Matale Valley to the West. Its name is derived from its shape of a clenched fist, which forms a scenic wonderland.

What makes the Knuckles Forest/Mountain Range unique is the geographical character of its location. Perpendicular to the mountain range that runs from Laggala to Urugala runs three distinct but lesser ranges while there are other minor ranges running parallel to it. There are a 34 clearly identified such ranges within the 62 square miles that makes up 3,000-6,500 feet in height.

The Knuckles Mountain Range is important due to the historical value it carries and therefore it can be categorised a valuable heritage of Sri Lanka. The story of Knuckles (Dumbara Hill) goes back to prehistoric times. It is said that in ancient times it was referred to as 'Giri Divaina' and as 'Malaya Rata' and there is archaeological evidence that speaks of ancient Yaksha settlement in the area. People believe that the name 'Lanka' is derived which much folklore has gathered over the centuries. The Knuckles Mountain Range is an invariable referencet in appreciation of the last kingdom of the Sinhala Kanda Udarata.

The importance of the Knuckles Mountain Range is due to several factors. It has a parasitical quality to it because of the mountain peaks, the crystal clear and perennial waterways, cloud forests and exquisite fauna and flora. Pregnant with history running into several millennia and a veritable treasure house of cultural heritage, the Knuckles Mountain Range can be considered a mirror to the past.

A remarkable feature of this area is that most of the climatic conditions of Sri Lanka can be found with in the extent of a mountain range. All these hanging climatic conditions can be experienced within half and hour walk through this valley. The location of the hills, the particular effect of the monsoons and the wind factor generate a certain climatic diversity to the area.

In fact in these hills one can find characteristics of all the key ecological zones found in the country.

The average annual rainfall is between 3000-5000 ml and the temperature of the region ranges between 5.5 degrees and 35 degrees Celsius. It is through a gap in the mountain that the winds of the Southwest Monsoon enter the Dry Zone. The average wind speed has been measured to be approximately 7.2 km/hour and humidity in the range is between 57%-90%.

The area enjoys bountiful rainfall. For this and other reasons, the Knuckles Mountain Range is counted among the rich upper watersheds in the country. From these hills flow tributaries to the Mahaweli River.

There are three main rivers known as the Hulu Ganga, Heen Ganga and the Kalu Ganga, which begin from the Knuckles Mountain Range. A number of breathtaking waterfalls and small rivers, are found in this area.

Even today water from the Knuckles Mountain Range feeds ancient irrigation works such as the Parakrama Samudra. Nowhere in Sri Lanka, does one find in an area of comparable size, such a collection of magnificent peaks as in the Knuckles range.

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