Sri Lanka is a tropical island located in the Indian Ocean. It is usually associated with golden beaches, turquoise waters and warm tropical breezes. However, if one heads inland: tall peaks covered in deep green blankets of tea, cool mountain air and winding roads await. If you are looking for something slightly off the beaten path, check out hotels in Ella. Sri Lanka has twenty five districts and Ella is located in the Uva District. It is a small village nestled in the mountains. The sun shines down brightly during the day most months of the year and the nights are cool. This is the ideal place to slow down the pace and spend a few leisurely days resting at the Bandarawela Hotel.
Spend some time in Ella and you will discover some interesting sites. Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya is believed to have been built by the great King Walagamba in the first century BC. It is one of several temples that the king built while taking refuge in the hills of the Uva province after an Indian invasion. The temple’s main attraction is a thirty eight foot Buddha Statue carved into a giant granite boulder. The sculpture has not been completed and appears to be slowly disintegrating. Set well out of view of the main road, this ancient creation is literally a hidden gem. A stupa sits on the boulder above the statue, at road level, and is the only indication of the existence of this religious site.
The complex includes an image house that contains wall to wall murals that depict the lives of Lord Buddha. The image house leads to a cave, which houses a small stupa. Behind this stupa is the entrance to a tunnel referred to as the Ravana Guhawa, which is guarded by a figure of a Clay King Cobra. The tunnel is said to run eleven kilometres and connects to Ravana Maha Viharaya at Ella and the Bogoda Raja Maha Viharaya.
Varuna Dayaratne is a creative nomadic travel writer, writing under the pen name, Damon Starky. He is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler.
