A pinch of Horana

Year and Month	02nd of June 2020-Kodigaha Kanda Sanctuary 20th of May 2020-Ella Kanda 27th June 2020-Uyanwaththa Lake 07th October 2020-Remuna Lake and Kumariyan Panna Gala
Number of Days	Different days
Crew	Kasun Shanaka ,Yohan, Keshan, Dimal, Arjuna, Isitha, Chathura Jayaneththi, Sachith Samuditha and Myself
Accommodation	Not applicable
Transport	By car and walking
Activities	Archeology, Hiking, Sightseeing and Photography
Weather	Excellent
Route	Colombo->Horana (exact route is mentioned under each topic)
Tips, Notes and Special remark	There are two routes to reach Kodigahakanda forest reserve from “Korale Ima junction” (කෝරළේ ඉම හන්දිය). Anyway the latter part of the road is not good for low ground vehicles. Especially if you come from the quarry side there is a long distance of road with bad condition. Better contact a member of “Mihithala Mithuro” before you visit at Kodigahakanda. Sachith Samuditha-0774721937 Ella Kanda is just a walking distance from Horana Town. Ella Kanda fall is almost a seasonal fall at the moment and can be seen after the rain. And it is a famous bathing and drinking place. There are leeches at Ella Kanda estate. Better visit at Uyanwaththa Lake on early morning or late evening to avoid heat. It also can be crowded in weekends. There is a clear foot path from Anda Dola side to Kumariyan Panna Gala. But we followed the unclear path behind Chathura’s house.
Related Resources	“Kaluthara Disawa” (කළුතර දිසාව) by Mr. Victor Perera. Kodigahakanda Forest Reserve (590-594), Wana Hami Cave Ella Kanda (599-600), Uyanwaththa Lake (89-91)
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread A pinch of Horana

Horana is a beautiful city surrounded by greenish paddy fields and small hills. There are different places in and around Horana including archeological sites, temples and lakes. This is my overlook of some places at Horana. (More to come)

According to the literature a Yakka king has lived this area and his name was “Hiranya” (හිරණ්ය) to give the name Horana. As there were number of trees at this area, it was called Hora (Trees) +Arana (Area) =Horana. හොර +අරණ

I have shifted to Horana in 2017 August as my second working station in career but didn’t give attention for these places till I get a relief in Corona pandemic. As our travelling distances were limited at this time I could focus on places closer to me.
Let me list the places I have visited in and around Horana recently. Some of places are bit far from Horana town. (Actually those are out of Horana)

1. Kodigahakanda Forest Reserve
2. Ella Kanda
3. Uyanwaththa Lake
4. Remuna Lake
5. Kumariyan Panna Gala

Kodigaha Kanda Forest Reserve (කොඩිගහකන්ද රක්ෂිතය) (6.780613, 80.015305) (115m)

Directions: Colombo->Koraleima Junction at 120 road ->Kodigaha Kanda Forest Reserve.

This 18 acres forest reserve situated at border of Colombo-Kaluthara Districts belongs to Kaluthara District.
There is a flag point at this forest reserve which was placed by an English survey at the border of Colombo and Kaluthara Districts. This flag was a great help for ships sailed in western sea when there were no light houses. The highest point of this forest reserve is 378 feet in height where this flag was placed. Bio diversity of flora and fauna are high in this forest reserve and it was revealed by different researches were carried here. Therefore it was declared as a forest reserve by the government in 2016. Currently the group called “Mihithala Mithuro” (මිහිතල මිතුරෝ) has done a great work at this forest reserve. They have formed a jungle path to enjoy the diversity of flora at forest reserve. The observation tower built at the highest point will provide a nice view when you climb there, but still it is under construction.
Main threat in this reserve is the stone quarries operated at one side of the reserve. Climb Lanka rock climbing site is situated at one side of Kodigaha Kanda forest reserve.

Kodigaha Kanda Forest Reserve was in the list when we planned a trip over Horana and Bulathsinghala areas. I contacted Sachith Samuditha who was the owner of climb Lanka site at Kodigaha Kanda for this visit. Our approach to Kodigaha Kanda was along an alternative route (we got the turn from Olaboduwa junction-6.770314, 80.025275) but that road condition was not suitable for low ground clearance vehicle. This road lies over the edge of the mountain where quarries were well visible when you drive there. There were set of mountains in distance scenery but we were not able to identify them separately.

The view on our way to Kodigaha Kanda

Don’t know which side is this.

Good Morning Kodigahakanda

Enjoying the view

Awesome

It was a short hike from the road to top of Kodigaha Kanda where flag tower was placed.

Short hike to Kodigaha Kanda

Sachith at view point

“Gal Kema” – ගල් කෙම

Modern day arts on the rock

The view from Kodigaha Kanda

The point where Kodigaha was placed…..

With Sachith

Observation desk places at highest point. Need further construction.

Climb Lanka rock climbing site

Kodigaha Kanda….bird’s eye view

Kodigaha Kanda

Quarries

Paddies on side of Kodigaha Kanda

Uda Bangalawa /උඩ බoගලාව
“Uda Bangalawa “which is another attraction situated at this reserve was built in British ruling period. Historical trees planted by VIP personnel who visited at this place still can be seen in the garden.
The rock climbing site of Climb Lanka situated at one side of the reserve adds some value to this place.

Uda Bangalawa

Rocky pond…..

Entrance to Bungalow

Some of the trees planted by VIP personnel.

Ella Kanda /ඇල්ල කන්ද (m) (6.719934, 80.064145)

Directions: Colombo->Horana->Udawatta Road->Elle Kanda

Ella Kanda is a small hill situated closer to Horana town almost covered by Rubber estate. As it is a highest point at Horana, two telecommunication towers are placed. In addition the water treatment and distribution center supplying Horana is also situated on top of Ella Kanda.
There are two main attractions at Ella Kanda: Wana Hami Cave (වනහාමි ගුහාව) and Ella Kanda water fall. The rubber estate situated over Ella Kanda belongs to Horana plantation. There are line houses of estate workers of Ella Kanda. Ella Kanda Dewalaya is famous for it’s annual festival.
Yohan who is one of my friends lives at Horana accompanied me to show Ella Kanda waterfall and Wana Hami Cave. We have walked from the town along Ella Kanda road and reached top of Ella Kanda waterfall. The access to Elle Kanda waterfall is over a fence through the rubber estate, just opposite to the water treatment center. Ella Kanda waterfall is a cascade with 2/3 tiny waterfalls but almost like a seasonal fall due to rapid deforestation of Ella Kanda. You have to descend along the side of the stream to reach the base of Ella Kanda Fall. Pollution around the fall seems common due to easy public access.

Upper part of Elle Kanda Falls.

Upper part of Elle Kanda Falls. You will reach this place from the foot pathway. Then go down along the stream to reach lower fall.

Lower part of Elle Kanda Falls

Lower part of Elle Kanda Falls. Note it has low water level.

After enjoying the beauty of Ella Kanda we have walked along the estate road to upper part of rubber patch to visit Wana Hami cave (6.729072, 80.062062). On our way to the cave we found a view point towards Ingirirya side. It seems this cave has become a worship place among estate workers. There are different stories behind this cave.

A Story of Wanahami Cave
One of a princess has got an unhealing wound (වණය) on her leg. Then she was sent to this cave with all her belongings. She lived here with impersonate of a Brahmin and bath from Ella Kanda Fall. This Brahmin was named as Wanahami due to the wound. After the death she was rebirth as a god to protect her treasurer hide at the cave.

.	Estate road to Wanahami Cave

Horana estate-Ella Kanda Division

We went there on evening

View towards Ingiriya from Ella Kanda

.	Yohan is at entrance of Wanahami cave

Inside of Ella Kanda Wanahami Cave

Ella Kanda Wanahami cave

This cave is situated at a hidden place covered by bushes

?? Is it a drip ledge?

At Wanahami Cave

Nearby slab rock…It is also a kind of view point.

Ella Kanda with towers situated closer to Horana town

Over the water treatment and distribution center at Ella Kanda. Note estate houses and the line house as well

Uyanwaththa Lake / Bandaragama Lake (උයන්වත්ත වැව /බණ්ඩාරගම වැව)

Directions: Colombo-> Bandaragama-> Kothalawala Junction ->Uyanwaththa Lake

This is the largest lake situated at Kaluthara District. Uyanwaththa Lake is considered as a creation of Raigam Bandara (රයිගම් බණ්ඩාර) (1521-1539) who was a regional king during Gampola Kingdom. As there was a garden (“Uyana”) closer to the lake it was named as Uyanwaththa Lake. There was a road of 60 feet width from the palace to the lake. The pond which was used to bath royal horses called “Anunana Pokuna” (අනුනාන පොකුණ) situated closer to western bank of the lake.
First renovation of Uyanwaththa Lake was happened in 1871 and following there were several renovations happened. The dam is about 305m long and spill gate is 23.77m long. Uyanwaththa Lake has capacity of 678062 cubic meters and it is under irrigation department.
The distance from main road (Panadura-Rathnapura) to Uyanwaththa Lake bunt is about 800m.

Uyanwaththa Lake and it’s dam.

Uyanwaththa Lake

They have visited with me

Technical details of the lake

The dam of the lake

Over the dam of the lake

Uyanwaththa Lake and surrounding

Towards Pokunuwita and Horana

Towards Bandaragama and highway

Paddies situated next to Uyanwaththa Lake

Remuna Lake (රෙමුණ වැව) (6.684872, 80.065104)

Direction: Colombo-> Horana-> Remuna->Lake Road->Remuna Lake

Remuna Lake is a small lake situated at Madurawala Divisional secretary area closer to historical Kumariyan Panna Gala (කුමරින් පැන්න ගල). I don’t have any historical information about Remuna Lake. One day evening I have visited there with a friend. Seems it is a popular bathing place as well as fishery point as well. We have walked over Lake Bunt till other end of the lake. This is a nice place to spend the evening. The distance from Remuna junction to Remuna Lake is about 1.7km.

Road to Remuna Lake. The Lotus Hotel is situated in front of Remuna Lake.

Cement steps to get into to Remuna Lake. Seems it is kind of a bathing place.

Remuna Lake

Over the Lake Bunt

Remuna Lake

Wall arts at Remuna

The Lake bunt

Aquatic plants

Kumariyan Panna Gala (කුමරියන් පැන්න ගල) (=100 feet) (6.670922, 80.066388)

Kumariyan Panna Gala is situated at Remuna area and it has a historical value. Seven princesses have jumped from this rock in view of suicide. (This story has related to number of rocks in Sri Lanka).
I have hiked this small rock when I visited at Remuna Lake. There is a beautiful view from top of Kumariyan Panna Gala. Annually people around the area build a Sri Pada on top of Kumariyan Panna Gala.
Chathura who is one of my colleague lives at the base of this rock and he accompanied me to the top of the rock behind his house. This foot pathway was bit unclear and we have passed a cave with drip ledge as well. It took about 30-45 minutes to get on to the top of Kumariyan Panna Gala from Chathura’s place. But there is a clear foot path from Anda Dola (ආදා දොල) (6.674712, 80.066800) side to Kumariyan Panna Gala. Remuna Kanda with a tower is situated next to Kumariyan Panna Gala.
We descend to Anda Dola side and had a dip from Ana Dola to wind up the day.