200 kilometers away from Colombo is a big town situated in Badulla District, Sri Lanka. Bandarawela is considered as the perfect getaway from Sri Lanka’s tropical heat. Surrounded by hills and tea plantations and due to higher altitude, Bandarawela has a spring like weather throughout the year. It is popular among the citizens to spend the vacations with their family members as there are many historically and culturally significant places to visit in Bandarawela. You can explore and experience the beauty of Bandarawela while you enjoy a relaxing holiday at the Bandarawela Hotel, located in the heart of the Bandarawela Town.
Out of the many places to visit in Bandarawela you should never miss the Bogoda Wooden Bridge and Temple. This is said to be the oldest surviving wooden bridge in the world and is situated 13 kilometers south of Badulla. The Bogoda wooden bridge was built in the 16th century by King Parakramabahu IV during the Dambadeniya era. It has been built by placing 03 huge logs from Bogoda Ancient Temple across Gallanda stream which linked Badulla and Kandy on an ancient route. The uniqueness of this bridge lies on the fact that all parts of this bridge were constructed from wood from one tree and the use of wooden nails as fixing material. There are 11 pairs of carved rails on either side of the bridge and Sinhala flat tiles have been used for roofing. The timber has been painted with a liquid made to an old recipe. An ancient temple situated beside the Bogoda Wooden Bridge known as The Bogoda Buddhist temple has a longer history than the Bogoda Wooden Bridge. Stone inscriptions reveal that the temple was donated to a priest and was built under the instructions of King Valagamba in the 1st century BC. Elaborate wall paintings can be seen in the temple.
If you need a perfectly relaxing holiday with your family, the cool and calm climate and beautiful environment of Bandarawela will surely make your holiday dreams come true.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
