Twenty-one days of pilgrimage
Colombo → Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) → Kandy → Kurunegala → Anuradhapura → and 8 more
Hill country
Mahiyangana
A river town at the foot of the Uva hills on the Mahaweli, known for its ancient temple, said to mark the Buddha's first visit to the island, and for the nearby Vedda village of Dambana.
- Time to spend
- A half day, or 1 night on a pilgrimage
- Best months
- February to September. Rain from October to January.
- Getting around
- Tuk-tuks in town; a car with a driver for Dambana and the national park.
- Good to know
- Wear white or plain clothes that cover shoulders and knees at the temple, and leave shoes outside.
Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is believed to be the site of the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka and is one of the sixteen sacred places (Solosmasthana). It is a major stop on the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.
Dambana, a village near the town, is known as a refuge of the indigenous Vedda people and their moribund language, and it has community eco-tourism projects. Visit through those projects, ask before taking photographs and treat it as a visit to a living community.
Maduru Oya National Park, set up under the Mahaweli development project, lies to the north-east. The town is a handy stop on the road between Kandy, Badulla and the east.
What to see and do
A village known as the refuge of the indigenous Vedda people and their language, with community eco-tourism projects. Visit with local guides and ask before taking photographs.
Community programmes set their own prices. Agree the cost before you go.
Also consider
Worth the trip if you have time. The planner leaves these out unless you add them.
Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara
An ancient Buddhist temple believed to mark the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka, and one of the sixteen sacred places (Solosmasthana).
Free to enter; donations are welcome.
Maduru Oya National Park
A national park created under the Mahaweli development project in 1983, around the Maduru Oya reservoir.
A park fee and a vehicle charge apply. Confirm with the park office.
Nearby places to stay
- BadullaAbout 1 hr 45 min by carPlan with both
Photos
Ready-made trips that include Mahiyangana
Use one as it is or open it in the planner and make it yours.
Two months on the pilgrim's road
Negombo → Colombo → Ratnapura → Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) → Kandy → and 15 more
Ninety days: the whole island
Negombo → Kalpitiya → Wilpattu → Anuradhapura → Jaffna → and 31 more
