Kuragala and Hituwangala

This 100 meters high dam has created a reservoir of nearly 350 sq. km. of water at the confluence of the Walawe Ganga and Belihuloya. This dam was completed in 1991 by the Japanese contractors.

The power station of the hydroelectric project which has a capacity of 120 MW is located about 6 kilometers from the dam at Kapugala. Permission to visit should be obtained from the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Kuragala and Hituwangala

A fine rock formation is found in the combination of Kuragala and Hituwangala. Kuragala is higher than Hituwangala and is situated within a short distance beyond it. A breathtaking view from Kuragala runs many  miles over a stretch of the Kaltota fields to the green patches of vegetation where the walawe winds its way. The Kuragala was previously famed as a place for meditation of Buddhist monks, is now occupied by Muslim priests who converted it to a pilgrims place of their own religion.

It is 23 km from Balangoda and is situated off the Balangoda-Kaltota road. A recently constructed motorable road from the Balangoda-Kaltota road brings you to this splendid site, which lies near Galtam Yaya at Tanjantenna (now Kurudiyawala Viharaya). This reveals that its close relationship with Kuragala. The History of this place dates back to the 2nd or 3rd century BC as per the inscriptions on several caves. One of these says that Lasama, Samana and Dattha, who were said to be the leaders offered these caves for the use of Buddhist monks: lived and meditated here over many years. The drip ledges, considered to be one of the significant techniques in hydrological engineering of our fore fathers, show that the place was inhabited, during the above period. It is also said that this area belonged to Chandra Giri, one of the eight kingdoms ruled by the legendary king Ravana who abducted Sita from Rama.

Duvili Falls.

To visit this nice water fall you have to travel to kaltota, which located  28Kms away from Balangoda town. Then you have to walk about 3km through the forest cover and on the way you may see wild animals and birds. Duvili fall is the last of the series of waterfall of the Walawe Ganga.

 This  water fall is also called the “Walawe Ganga falls”. The falling of the water creates a cloud of Sprey resembling a cloud of dust. (In sinhalese “Duvili” means “Dust”) This water fall high more than 75 fts. This is the most unusual water fall in Sri Lanka and the short, old and sprightly water fall. The place is ideal for adventure tourists and nature lovers.

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero

  Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero

Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya (August 24, 1896 – July 18, 1998), a Sri Lankan scholar-monk, was one of the great personalities of Theravada Buddhism in the twentieth century. Through his meditations, he was believed to have achieved the highest level of spiritual development within the Sri Lankan sangha (Buddhist monastic order). However, he lived a modest life in a secluded monastery and so is little known outside his native country.Ananda Maitreya Thero wrote nearly fifty books on sutras (scripture), vinaya (monastic discipline), on abhidhamma (metaphysics), and on Pali and Sanskrit grammar. His book, Sakyasimhavadanaya hevat Buddha Charita (The Life of the Buddha), is considered a textbook. He wrote the book Dhammpada, which can also be found in English. Unusually for a Theravada teacher, he publicly studied practices of other traditions, especially esoteric yoga.Ananda Maitreya Thero was known to have practiced meditation to reach Jhana and he was awarded the title ‘Abidhadja Maharattaguru’ by Thailand to praise his great achievements in Buddhist meditation and Buddhist literature. Buddhists believed him as a Bodhisattva. Ananda Maitreya thero has done great service for Buddhism throughout his life.Ananda Maitreya Thero was the first Dharmarcharya at Nalanda College Colombo when it was first established in 1924. Also the Venerable Thero named it ‘Nalanda’ and chose ‘Apadana Sobhini Panna’ meaning ‘wisdom beautifies character’ as Nalanda College’s motto