Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka THALAGODA – By Nimal Sedera
Source : Dæhæna – September 2025
Thalagoda is in the Matale District, close to Naula. With the expanding tourist industry, it is developing to be a popular
tourist destination because of its scenic beauty. The name of the village is, as usual, linked to a famous ruler,
King Mahasena. It is said that the King visited this area in relation to building a lake for agricultural development. There were unique methods of finding the correct site and size of the lake.
The King tried one of those methods. He ordered the people to tie a big bag of sesame seeds (thala) on the back of a cow and made a hole in it so that the seeds slowly dropped on the ground. Then let the cow graze freely. Then ordered the people to see that the cow grazes until all the sesame seeds dropped.
Image Source : insightguides.com
Then the great King returned to the place after a few weeks, as discussed and planned. They saw how the sesame had sprouted and grown. The King said that the lake had to be made, making the sesame sprouted land the centre of it and commenced the construction.
“Thala” is the Sinhala word for sesame. “Goda” means a lot.The land where a lot of sesame seeds (thala) were put to be
planted came to be called the place “Thalagoda”
Nimal Sedera
Dr. Nimal Sedera is a journalist, poet, motivational speaker and
an author of over 70 books
