Follow the path of Udaya Dewi Train- Rail walk from Maho to Habarana-Part-2

This is the second part of rail walk from Maho junction to Habarana (හබරණ). Actually I have already done the stretch of Habarana to Kekirawa (කැකිරාව) and remain was the filling the gap between Awkana (අවුකන) to Kekirawa.

Awkana to Kekirawa (12.4km)
Nirosh has also joined with the rail walk from Awkana to Kekirawa and he got into Udaya Dewi from Maradana at last moment. Though she was punctual at beginning, was late about 30minutes when she reached Awkana.
We had a plan to cover main tourist attractions around this rail stretch includes: Awkana Buddha Statue, Kala Wewa and Wijithapura Temple. The foot pathway to Awkana Buddha Statue was situated about 500m after Awkana railway station. Udaya Dewi-down was also delay on that day and we met her on our way along the trek. It was just few minutes walk from rail trek to Awkana Buddha statue.

Awkana railway station

Udaya Dewi-down has reached Awkana station

Awkana Buddha Statue
The Awkana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha which has a height of 42feet (13m) was carved out of a large granite rock face during 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya Mudra and closely worn robe is elaborately carved.
A narrow strip of rock has been left at the back of the statue, connecting it to the rock face and supporting it. The pedestal on which the Buddha stands, which is carved in the form of a lotus flower. The statue had been located within a large image house or shrine, of which parts of the walls still remain. It is believed this was made by King Dathusena who has built the reservoir called Kala Wewa nearby.

Awkana RMV

Awkana Buddha Statue

Awkana Buddha Statue

Awkana Buddha Statue

Awkana Buddha Statue

How it is connected to main rock

Apart from Awkana Buddha Statue, there are few stone inscriptions (hard to see letters there), a pond situated on the rock, stupa (new construction) and ancient Kadawara Dewalaya (කඩවර දේවාලය) are other attractions of this premises.

This was Queen’s second visit to SL since independence and happened on 21-25th Octomber 1981. She visited SL to attend the celebration marking 50years of universal adult franchise in SL.

Pond is having the shape of SL.

Stupa and stone inscriptions

Ancient Kadawara Dewalaya.

Closer view of stone inscription. It is hard to see the letters.

View of? Ritigala from Awkana premises.

We spent enough time to visit this great creature of ancient Sri Lanka and came back to rail trek. Kalawewa station is situated in 3km along this path. There was a bridge hanged over Kala oya and Kala Wewa-Awkana road, might be the longest railway bridge we crossed this section. We have noted number of farms and chenna around the rail trek till we reached Kala Wewa. Just before Kalawewa station we followed the road in right hand side to reach Kala Wewa which was a hall mark of ancient Sri Lankan irrigation technology.

This plat form was notice closer to the foot pathway to Awkana Buddha Statue. Don’t know the significance of it.

The bridge over Kala Oya

The bridge over the road

It’s hard to see wattle and dub houses in these days.

Straight railway lines with green surroundings.

Kala Wewa
Kala Wewa was built by the King Dathusena in 307 B.C, is a twin reservoir complex (Kala Wewa & Balalu Wewa) which has a capacity of 123 million cubic meters. This reservoir complex has facilitated with a stone made spillway and three main sluices. From the central major sluice, a 40 feet wide central conveys water to feed thousands of acres of paddy lands and ends at the historical capital Anuradhapura city tank Thisa Wewa meandering over 87 km (54 mi) at a slope of 6 inches per mile and is an another wonder of primeval hydraulic engineering facility in ancient Ceylon.(Quoted from Wikipedia).
Kadawara is a man who helped the king to find the place to built Kala Wewa and protected the dam from it’s leak. He sacrificed his life to save the dam and born as Kadawara Dewiyo to look after the lake. Kadawara Dewalaya is seen at Kala Wewa bunt.

Steps over Kala Wewa bund.

Kala Wewa

View of Ritigala over Kala Wewa

View of Kahala Pallekale Mountain

Erawula kanda and Galkoth kanda are seen

Kadawara Dewalaya at Lake Bunt

Statue of King Dathusena

We followed the same road to get back to rail trek and crossed Yoda Ela-1 just before Kala Wewa station. Kala Wewa station was also a small one as same as other stations we met on this journey. It was quite humid climate made us to sweat drench and we got a small break near Kala Wewa station.
Wijithapura temple is also situated few hundred meters away from rail trek but we didn’t want to spend our time there. We have crossed Yoda Ela-2 then. Just before we came across abounded Ihalagama (ඉහලගම) station, we crossed the road to Thalawa. Nothing special was there apart from farms (amazing to see mighty Guava there) and chenna till we come to the destination of the day-Kekirawa.

Crossing Yoda Ela-1.

Kala Wewa railway station.

Wijithapura Temple is at vicinity

The rock situated closer to Wijithapura temple

Nirosh and Nuwan-Friends of the journey.

Crossing Yoda Ela again.

Yoda Ela.

Common finding at dry zone rail walk.

Chenna

Abounded Ihalagama station.

Raining over rail track

There were many jumbos in boards but nobody was live!

Signal towers indicating Kekirawa railway station is nearby.

Reaching Kekirawa station

Parked at Kekirawa station

Habarana to Kekirawa (21.8km)

This is the earliest part of rail walk we have done in this stretch. It stimulated me to do rest of the journey. It was the dry season of Rajarata when we were doing this rail walk. But the rest of the rail walk was done following the rain and greenish appearance is well seen then.
Nileeka and I met Chamara at Habarana town and we had our breakfast there. Then we travelled to Habarana railway station by a three-wheeler. I have been at Habarana station earlier to do Habarana-Galoya junction stretch. We had a small chat with workers at Habarana station. There was nothing special at first few kilometers of the walk. There were chenna and paddy fields on sides of the railway. We could notice lands of echo tourism as well. We have crossed Habarana oya / Yan oya (හබරණ ඔය/යාන් ඔය) which flows to join with Hurulu Wewa (හුරුළු වැව). The area becomes more dry and dry when we walked further. The hall mark of this rail walk was Ritigala (රිටිගල) which entered to the scene after 2-3km walk. We were able to observe different appearance of Ritigala in our right hand side of the journey. Palugaswewa (පළුගස්වැව) station was situated km from Habarana station and we crossed Habarana-Maradankadawala (A12) road just before Palugaswewa station. We felt the extreme of afternoon heat, surprisingly our new member (Nileeka) has tolerated it well. Horiwila (හොරිවිල) Lake was situated closer to the rail way line and we spent a time to enjoy the beauty of this as well. It was badly dried due to drought. Next train stop was Horiwila station and we met Udaya Dewi-up at this substation. The area was so dry after we passed Horiwila station. There were some sections of fire on either side of the railway line. This might be manmade or wild fire burning utterly dried Mana bushes. Though different sign boards of wild elephants were seen, we didn’t come across them. Kinihirigala (කිනිහිරිගල) was situated close to the railway line. We were head there are some caves and ancient temple at this rock and added to my TO DO list. By 3pm we have reached A9 road. Kekirawa (කැකිරාව) station was situated few hundred meters away from A9. It was the end of another rail walk with different experience.

Good morning Habarana.

Habarana railway station and Colombo-Trinco road.

Ready for next 22km. Nileeka and Chamara

Railway line extends from Habarana to Kekirawa

Thoppiya is coming. Maho-Batticalo slow train is called Thoppiya.

Plan to lay new slippers.

Chenna

Paddy fields…

Chenna and greenish appearance is still remaining.

Crossing Habarana Oya. Don’t know where it starts.

Friendly chat with railway workers.

Walking along the railway line

Greenish paddy fields on side

A farm with nice name…

It reminds we are in elephant kingdom.

First appearance of Ritigala

Ritigala over paddies….

Black and white

Parked on side

Closer to Palugaswewa station.

Udaya Dewi down is on her way to Colombo.

Palugaswewa station and Habarana-Maradankadawala road. (A11)

We have reached Palugaswewa station.

Double line at Palugaswewa station.

Shapes….

Horiwila Lake

Horiwila Lake

Tree house at Chenna

Older than 50 years

Horiwila Railway station

Railway quarters at Horiwila station

By road…..

It’s hard to see greenish sections due to drought.

Fire at railway line

Going through the fire

Udaya Dewi-up is coming.

Here she is….

She is passing us….. We were lucky to meet all three trains regularly travel along this railway line during day time.

A weak bridge is ahead…

Crossing another water source.

Life along railway line….

Kinihirikanda

Goats….

Kinihirigala…

Hard life…

Kinihirigala…

At ground level…

Crossing Kekirawa-Ganewalpola road…

Beautiful paddy fields…

Hard life….

Old elephant dung

Crossing a gravel road closer to Kekirawa

Closer to destination. A9 road and Kekirawa railway station is few hundred kilometers away.

End of successful rail walk. Photo credit to Nileeka.

This is our work out. Note we have crossed three A grade roads in this rail walk: A6, A11 and A9.

P S:We (Chamara, Ashan and myself) have proceeded along the rail track till Gal Oya junction from Habarana. Galoya junction is the point where passengers get down from Udaya Dewi train to get their way to Trincomale. I have followed further her track up to Minneriya from Habarana. I hope to continue this rail walk till Batticalo. Let’s meet with notes of another rail walk in dry zone.
Thanks for reading