Yala in the coastal region of Sri Lanka is very well known for its variety of wild animals, Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lanka leopards, and aquatic birds. Yala was delegated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and along with Wilpattu was one of the national parks in Sri Lanka and was designated in the year 1938. Since then Yala has been home to natural habitat, vegetation, and various species of birds for so many years. People from all over come to visit Yala for its tented lodge, Safari experiences, and camping sites.
Here are 5 things you can do in Yala.
1. Visiting The Sithulpawwa Temple
Located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, in the district of Hambantota, Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery. Sithulpawwa rock temple is a very ancient and important Buddhist site that is located deep within the national park of Yala. The name Sithulpawwa is derived from the word “Chiththala Pabbatha”, which means the hill of the quiet mind. This is why it is a place of worship for devotees and is also a center of Buddhist education for the Monks. Sithulpawwa Vihara can be reached by traveling 18 miles along the Tissamaharama-Yodhakandiya road towards the Yala National Park.
2. Kataragama Town
The sacred pilgrimage town of Kataragama is a worship place for Buddhist, Hindu, and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. The town has the famous Kataragama temple that consists of a shrine dedicated to Skanda Kumara. It is a fast- developing town and is progressing alot despite its previous history in being a small village back in mederval times. It is surrounded by the jungle and also has major attraction because of the ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa that is believed to be built by the regional king Mahasena in the 6th century BC. The town has seen and undergone alot of changes and improvements with successive governments investing in public transportation, medical facilities, and business development and hotel services. It also adjoins the famous Yala national park and is a good visitor attraction.
3. Bundala National park
This mighty national park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in this very Island, Sri Lanka. It is home to about 197 species of birds and the highlight of the destination being the greater flamingo which migrate in flocks. This park was designated as a wildlife sanctury only in 1969 and was then redesignated to being a national park in 1993. The wetland received the title of being the first ever Ramsar site in Sri lanka. The park is great for outdoor activities and excursions along with safaris and bird watching. This is a place you must visit if you’re in Yala.
4. Yala national park
Yala national park is the second largest and the most visited park in Sri Lanka and a place you must visit when you’re in Yala. A land of 979 square kilometers with 44 species of mammals is a residing place for animals like Sri Lankan sloth bear, leopards, elephants,wild water buffalo and much more. Yala is considered to have the highest leopard densities in the world and about 25 individual leaoprds are estimated to just roam around the block. Mammals such as a Toque macaque, golden palm civet, red slender loris, and fishing cat are among the other mammals that can be seen in Yala. Various other reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, and birds can be found in and around the park. Yala National Park is place you can’t miss on your trip to Yala.
5. Buduruwagala
The Name, Buduruwagala means “the rock of Buddhist Sculptures” it was derived from the words, buddha, images, and stone which makes Budu, ruva, and gala respectively, forming the name. This ancient Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka consists on seven statues and were sculpted back inthe 10th century. The temple consists of a gigantic statue of Buddha that bares traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange as it suggest that the statue was once brightly painted. The temple showcases culture and history at it’s finest. Most Buddhits make sure to visit the temple and so can you. It is a collection of history and you should definitely visit it.
If you’re visiting Yala, please don’t restrict yourself from visiting other places that hold equal meaning and beauty. Yala on the whole is a place full of wild, life and nature. Take a trip, connect with nature, and enrich yourself.