Authenticities Newsletter Volume 2 - December 2013 issue
Featured Article Anamaduwa In our continuous quest for introducing new experiences and concepts, we explored “Anamaduwa” an area less travelled, but is authentic in its elements.
Getting There Driving from Colombo : Drive along the Colombo – Negombo road (You can now take the Colombo Katunayake Airport Expressway upto Katunayake) and reach the town of Chillaw. From there you can proceed along the Puttalam road and turn off to the right from the Bangadeniya Junction.
Then proceed along the Bangadeniya – Anamaduwa road and you will reach Anamaduwa in approximately 40 minutes from there. (Total Travel time – 3 hours & 15 minutes)
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Where to stay The Mudhouse - situated in the forest, on the outskirts of the Anamaduwa village, is a beautiful lodge with 4 unique
huts
which
are
Maha
Gedara,
Original
Mudhouse, The Palu Hut and The Family & Honeymoon Huts. It is a very unique concept and if you stay here you are sure to experience traditional Sri Lankan living.
Kumar, the proprietor and Abhaya, the caretaker along with the rest of the team who are
wonderful
hosts will make sure your stay is very memorable. The typical Sri Lankan meals served there with the Lake fish is surely something to look forward to. Our favourite is the Maha Gedara, which is quite spacious and can sleep upto 4 – 5 people comfortably. Like most of the other Huts, it is open to nature. You can relax on the many hammocks that are within the hut, and you will love the shower area!
What to do There are plenty of activities you could experience in Anamaduwa. Consult Kumar or Abhaya who will arrange these activities for you. You will be guided by Abhaya who has a very good knowledge about the area. Visiting Paramakanda Temple which is situated on a giant rock at sunset is a wonderful sight. Activities include;
•
Bird Watching
•
Kayaking
•
Paramakanda Temple
•
Cycling
•
Lake picnics
•
Nature Trails
•
Cooking lessons
•
Tonigala Rock Inscription
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Upcoming - Events & Festivals Duruthu Perahera - 14th &15th January 2014 (Poya Day) in Kelaniya In the month of Duruthu (January) the streets of Colombo are lit up with the celebrations of the Kelani Perahera also known as the Duruthu Perahera. The festival dates back to the year 1927 when Don Walter Wijewardene organized this festival in order to commemorate Lord Buddha’s visit to this blessed nation more than 2500 years ago. The festivities commence two months prior with many religious activities and continous Pirith chanting.
The three day festival consists of four Perahera (parades); Dewadhootha Perahera which is followed by Udamaluwe Perahera and Pahalamaluwe Perahera and finally the Maha Perahera, held on the final night. With nearly 3000 participants and some 50 elephants, the Maha Perahera is a magnificent site to experience. The festival inaugurate at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya and move through Colombo feasting the eyes of the on lookers with its bright colors and entertainment.
Navam Perahera 14th February 2014 (Poya Day) in Colombo The Navam Perahera, a prestigious festival held once a year on the full moon day of February (Navam Poya day). The event dates back to 1979 when it was inaugurated. This spectacular event is organized by the Gangaramaya
Temple
with
as
many
as
1000
performers participating every year and close to hundred elephants that are brought into Colombo from all over the island.
During the festival the streets of Colombo are transformed into a magnificent event of color dance and music, with elephants in colorful attire parading the city’s streets escorted by traditional Kandyan dancers, fire-dancers and whip-dancers together with flags and decorations. Hundreds of visitors flock to the temple and the streets of Colombo to experience this amazing sight; elephants walking down the road with all its pride and prestige dressed in its best of bright and pompus fineries; traditional music and dances. The festival is known for its color, fun and excitement which gives any on looker the taste of true local culture.
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Accommodation – Featured Elephant Stables - Kandy The Elephant Stables is a beautiful Colonial period bungalow on a hill overlooking Kandy. It was the home of Adigar Sir Cuda Ratwatte (1880-1950) who was a Ceylonese nobleman, and the first person from Kandy to be awarded a knighthood from the British.
At this property were kept many elephants, owned by the Ratwatte family. Elephants still turn up occasionally and can be seen wandering around the garden. Visitors can learn lots of elephant stuff and even go for an elephant-back ride when the elephants come to the property.
The Elephant Stables has been lovingly restored with a combination of original mid-century planter’s furniture and chic interiors to enable guests to feel the ambience of a Ceylon Planter’s bungalow while enjoying all the luxuries of an up-market boutique property.
One of the advantages of staying at The Elephant Stables is that it is located only 15 minutes away from the center of Kandy, so access to all of the main sights including the Temple Of The Tooth is relatively easy.
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