Our main objective was to just visit and photography of ancient places around Bakamuna. We started our journey from Girithale by 7.00am.

Road condition was satisfactory and road towards Bakamuna passed through Minneriya-Girithale Nature reserve.

Elahera oya was in the Right side of our path from to Bakamuna. The road was sheltered by giant trees on either side. We had our breakfast at Diyabeduma and reached Bakamuna after travelling 21km.

Nice road from Girithale to Bakamuna

Then we got the road to Elahera from Bakamuna (Newly built road to Mahiyanganaya from Bakamuna). Knukles range could be seen and we were close to Wasgamuwa National Park. After travelling 5-7km in this road we reached Buduruwayaya.It was in the left side of the main road and you have to go another 500m from the main road.

Buduruwayaya
Buduruwayaya temple has a large reclined Buddha statue and a pagoda. These ruins are belongs to Pollonnaruwa era. (A.C 8, 9 and 10). It is believed King Parakramabahu made this temple.

There are number of ruins scattered in this temple area. It is better to meet chief priest of the temple to get valuable information.

Reclined Buddha statue

Face was destroyed by robbers

Pagoda

Then we came back to main road and ride another 2km towards the Elahera.

The road towards the Kumara ella can be found on left side of the main road. (Better to ask from villagers once you reached Kumara ella area as you can miss the road).

This road is bit narrow and last part only can be approached by a three wheel or motor bike. (Distance from main road is 2-3km)

It was bit difficult to find this river (Amaban ganga)and one villager showed the foot path towards it.We had to go through the “අලි වැට”-The electricity wires used to protect from Wild elephants.

The foot path towards the Kumara Ella

Kumara ella
Kumara ella is a small pond situated along the Amban ganga. It is believed a prince has jumped at this place.There are ancient ruins in the forest of this area. Unfortunately we couldn’t visit it.It is a nice place to bath.

Kumara ella

Nice place to bath

After visiting there we came back to main road and our next place to visit was Orubandisiyabalawa. When we asked from Villagers they showed a road which is right opposite to the road to Kumara ella. After travelling 8-10km in this road we came across Orubandisiyabalawa. (On your way have to ask from villagers as you can easily mislead the road.) Road condition is somewhat satisfactory.

Chena

Orubandisiyambalawa
This siyambala tree was used to tie up boats. It is situated close to Elahara oya. Ancient tree is on its way to destruction and new plant can be seen. Newly built Dewalaya is also there. (“Orubandisiyambalawa Ranmini Dewola”).

Name board

Old tree and new tree with Dewalaya

Then we came back to Bakamuna and drove along the Bakamuna- Girithale road. Few kilometers before Girithale we came across the wildlife museum and training center. It is a nice place to visit.

This museum is opened for visitors on both weekdays and weekends.

.	In side the museum

Then we finished our journey after having a bath at Girithale lake.

Girithale lake

Places we could not visit
1.Puwakgahaulpotha ruins-Have to go through Damanayaya road from Bakamuna.
2. Ancient weir at Alahara.

Thanks for Mr Arunasiri-Archeological officer of Pollonnaruwa museum for his valuable information on Buduruwayaya.