Unudiya Ella – spectacular natural pool in Bothale – By Arundathie Abeysinghe
Nature offers unique magnificent spaces to relax and enjoy breathtaking vistas. Sri Lanka, an amazing tiny island of only 9,833,517 square kilometers in the Indian Ocean Region has an abundance of natural wonders, the cynosure of local as well as foreign tourists. The resplendent island has a diverse range of varied landscapes that attract travelers from all over the world. Cascading waterfalls and natural swimming pools are among those natural riches that have become ideal places to relax; places where nature breathes and gives life …
Situated amidst breathtaking landscape in *Bothale in *Mirigama, Unudiya Ella (Ella meaning waterfall in Sinhala) is a natural pool with a length of 0.71 kilometers. Situated approximately four kilometers from Mirigama and seven kilometers from Warakapola (of Kegalle District), it is easy to reach Unudiya Ella. With different levels of small waterfalls cascading down the surrounding rocks, it is an awe-inspiring sight. Visitors are enthralled by the spectacular landscape and spend some time at the location. Some visitors swim in the natural pool as it is considered as a safe pool.
It is a nice place to spend time with family and friends.
There is also a monastery in the vicinity.
Directions: From Kandy Road, it is necessary to travel up to Bothale in Mirigama. Thereafter, travel up to Unudiya Ella Road to reach Unudiya Ella.
- Anuradhapura Kingdom – A major city in Sri Lanka (former Ceylon), the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is famous for its well-preserved ruins of Sri Lankan civilization. Founded in the 4th century, Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century. Anuradhapura is considered sacred to Buddhists and there are monasteries, stupas within an area of 40 square kilometers. Situated 205 kilometers north of Colombo, Anuradhapura was declared as the “Sacred City of Anuradhapura” and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
- Bothale – The hamlet is popular as the ancestral village of D.S. Senanayake, Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister. His ancestral home popular as Bothale *Walauwa is situated in Bothale, Ihalagama. The large single storied house was constructed by Don Spater Senanayake in 1865 in his ancestral village Bothale situated in close proximity to Ambepussa Railway Station. History of Bothale dates to Anuradhapura Kingdom. According to scholars, the hamlet was named “Bothale” due to a Bo Sapling planted in the area during the reign of King Gotabhaya (a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom whose reign lasted from 254-267).
- Gampaha District – Located in the west of Sri Lanka with an area of 1,387 square kilometers (536 square miles). Gampaha District is one of the 25 districts of Sri Lanka. It is the second most populous district of Sri Lanka.
- Mirigama – A town in *Gampaha District located 57 kilometers from Colombo (also spelt as Meerigama) is the hometown of Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake (Don Stephen Senanayake), the first Prime Minister of Ceylon (present Sri Lanka).
- Walauwa – Also spelt as “walawwa” a feudal/colonial manor house (in Sri Lanka) of a native headmen derived from the Tamil word “valavu” that denotes a compound or garden. Walauwas vary in style, elegance and uniqueness depending on financial resources of individual families. The majority of walauwas tend to incorporate diverse aspects of traditional pre-colonial Sri Lankan architecture and colonial influences.
