Jathika Namal Uyana

The Jathika Namal Uyana is a lush and exotic wonder in our paradise island, located in a small village called Ulpathgama or ‘Village of Springs’, in the Kekirawa District, in the North Central Province.

Namal Uyana is a spectacular man-made forest, with hundreds of acres of Na or Iron Wood trees- the national tree of Sri Lanka. 

Kaludiya Pokuna in Kandalama

This is not to be confused with its name-sake in Mihinthale.

Kaludiya Pokuna, dates back to the period between 853 – 857 A.D., during the reign of King Sena the 2nd. The sacred precincts of this ancient site served as a meditating center for the Buddhist monks who resided there.

The approach to this site is very pleasant. The dirt track which passes through paddy and vegetable cultivations is typical rural Sri Lanka. The cultivation gives way to beautiful stands of tall, dry monsoon forest.

Ritigala Kanda (Mountain)

http://www.island.lk/2008/10/26/leisure1.html
 

Ritigala is yet another archaeological site of historical and cultural importance in Sigiriya, which has been overshadowed by the grandeur of the Sigiriya rock fortress- the Ritigala Kanda or Mountain which has an ambience all of its own.

Pidurangala- King Kashyapa’s Temple

Sri Lanka is blessed with such a variety of archaeological sites of historical and cultural value that the visitor is often spoilt for choice. While the grandeur of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa is difficult to surpass, there are lesser-known sites like Pidurangala in Sigiriya, Ritigala, Namal Uyana etc., which are overshadowed by the grandeur of the Sigiriya rock fortress.This frequently stems from the fact that many of these sites lie off the beaten track, are on a smaller scale, and encircled and even encroached upon by jungle.

Located down a dusty gravel track off the road leading to the Sigiriya rock fortress, the Pidurangala monastery was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th Century A.D. There is said to be a strong connection between Sigiriya and Pidurangala. Although Sigiriya was his kingdom, King Kashyapa’s religious center was at Pidurangala.