HANDAGIRIYA CAVES

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Unspecified caves at Handagiriya (N06°31': E080°48') are located near the remote northern reaches of the Uda Walawe reservoir (N06°27': E080°52'). SITUATION 1: From Balangoda [note 1], the road [south-east] to Uggal Kaltota [note 2] descends rapidly for twenty miles [32 km] along a ridge of hills that falls away sharply into the plains beyond the Welawe river. In the lower reaches of this ridge are three sets of caves: Those at Budugala, Kuragala and Diyainna. At an elevation of 600 feet [183 m asl] or so on the southern slope of the ridge and below two picturesque waterfalls lies the village of –>Diyainna [note 3]. … Farther west, along a track that continues from –>Budugala [note 4] along the bottom of the ridge, lies the village of –>Handagiriya on the banks of the Katupal oya. In close proximity is the site known as –>Bellan Bendi Pelessa, one of the richest palaeontological sites discovered in this country … (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 245; 1983: 247). SITUATION 2: North of Mhapelessa and Embilipitiya [note 5] (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 254; 1983: 256). APPROACH 1: Handagiriya may also be reached by a three-mile [5 km] jeep track from Weligepola [note 6], which is connected with Balangoda by a good road (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 245; 1983: 247). CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974: 254; 1983: 256) confirms that the Handagiriya ruins and caves are approachable by a very long walk from via tracks and footpaths from Weligepola (off Balangoda). The Weligepola route is via the hamlets of Yatipasgamuwa [note 7] and Palugahawela [note 8]. There is a motorable road (and a bus service) from Balangoda to Weligepola, from where the road extends [extended in 1974] for a short distance. From there it is a long walk of about 14 miles or 23 km.APPROACH 2: CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974: 254; 1983: 256) points out that the Handagiriya ruins and caves are also approachable by a very long walk from the Pelmadulla [note 9] - Embilipitiya road.hapelessa and Embilipitiya [note 5] (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 254; 1983: 256). APPROACH 1: Handagiriya may also be reached by a three-mile [5 km] jeep track from Weligepola [note 6], which is connected with Balangoda by a good road (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 245; 1983: 247). CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974: 254; 1983: 256) confirms that the Handagiriya ruins and caves are approachable by a very long walk from via tracks and footpaths from Weligepola (off Balangoda). The Weligepola route is via the hamlets of Yatipasgamuwa [note 7] and Palugahawela [note 8]. There is a motorable road (and a bus service) from Balangoda to Weligepola, from where the road extends [extended in 1974] for a short distance. From there it is a long walk of about 14 miles or 23 km.APPROACH 2: CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974: 254; 1983: 256) points out that the Handagiriya ruins and caves are also approachable by a very long walk from the Pelmadulla [note 9] - Embilipitiya road.