Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most Sri Lankans visiting Badulla stop at either Muthiyagana Vihara or Kataragama De-
vale.
Muthiyagana Vihara
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
A large Buddhist complex that includes a whitewashed dagoba in spacious grounds in the
southeast of town. During festivals the resident elephant may be paraded around.
Kataragama Devale
HINDU TEMPLE
The main objects of veneration are statues of the gods Kataragama, Saman and Vishnu.
Uniquely, the
devale
was constructed in Kandyan style rather than South Indian Tamil
style, with a long wooden shrine hall painted with murals depicting a
perahera.
St Mark's Church
CHURCH
If you're a history buff, take a look through St Mark's Church and peruse the old head-
stones. Inside is a plaque commemorating the elephant hunter Major Rogers, who was
killed by lightning.
Legend has it that following a particularly severe thunderstorm in Haputale in 1845, Ro-
gers stepped onto his veranda and proclaimed, 'It's all over now' to his wife. Ahh, not so
fast, matey: one last bolt struck him dead. Relatives of the 1500 elephants he killed in a
four-year stint probably trumpeted in glee. Rogers' actual gravestone near Nuwara Eliya is
now cracked in half, reputedly by another bolt of celestial energy.
Dunhinda Falls
WATERFALL
(adult/child Rs 200/100; 6.30am-5pm)
Five kilometres north of Badulla are the 63m-high Dunhinda Falls. The best time to see
them is June and July, but they're worth a visit at any time. From the entrance gate the
falls are about 1.5km along a clearly defined, but muddy, path.
There are many snack places along the trail. A three-wheeler from Badulla costs Rs 300
one-way. Buses leave every 30 minutes from Badulla (Rs 30).
