The bed of the Mahawely Ganga, Mahiyangana, Sri Lanka.

A view of the distant hills from the river bed.

The river bed of the Mahawely.

Looking upstream.

The waters of the mighty Mahawely Ganga have been partially tamed. I took these pictures during the dry season. A vast area of sand covers about 6o% of the river bed. All the retained water is being used in irrigation and power generation. What a stupendous task has been achieved during our living memory. The green paddy fields in Mahiyangana during a severe drought in the country stands as testimony to this massive undertaking by successive governments.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BENdWIdFhJ4

Dawn at Mahiyangana, Sri Lanka.

Dawn at Mahiyangana.

Mahout is greeted by the elephant at dawn.

The Mahout arrives at dawn and interacts with the elephant before going out to do its days work and a bath in the Mahawely Ganga.
Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqhN52IzghA

'Kapruka Pooja', Mahiyangana Chaithya, Sri Lanka.

The Chaithya.

Carrying the stitched cloth aloft

Surrounding the Chaithya with the cloth.

The completed effort.

A 'Kapruka Pooja' - Wish fulfilling pooja - is made by surrounding the sacred Chaithya with a string of Buddhist flags stitched lengthwise. The Chaithya at Mahiyanga is said to contain the hair relic and a neck bone of Lord Buddha.
Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Gmwhl4h8M

Sorabora Wewa seen from the 'look-out point' past Madugoda, Sri Lanka.

View of the Mahiyangana valley with the Sorabora Wewa.

'Look-out point'

Vehicle park

The other side of the road.

The highway leading from Hunnasgiriya to the 'look-out point' before the descent to Hasalaka by the 18 hairpin bends is a scenic panorama not to be missed. Spend some time at the 'look-out point' feeling the force of the cold wind which will drag your clothes away. Then drive down past the 18 hairpin bends leading to Hasalaka. If you want to appreciate the scenery tell the driver to go slow even though the surface of the road might tempt a higher speed.

Videos:-

Hunnasgiriya - Madugoda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h80RXLSoH5M

An elephant  getting a ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3mhIjHLh9k

The 18 hairpin bends after the 'look-out point'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KoNsI8wMnI

Hunnasgiriya, Sri Lanka.

The wayside town of Hunnasgiriya.

Looking down into the Mahiyangana valley.

The highway from Kandy to Mahiyangana on the left side of the Mahaweli Ganga crosses the Ganga at Kundasale. It goes past Pallekale, Theldeniya and climbs up to Hunnasgiriya. Then it goes downhill past Madugoda, Hasalaka to Mahiyangana. This is a beautiful drive and on a sunny day is like being in Paradise.

Statue on a hill overlooking the Dumbara valley, Sri Lanka.

Statue of Lord Buddha on a hill seen from Hunnasgiriya town  on the Kandy - Mahiyangana road.

The statue seen with the 30X zoom in operation on my Fuji HS 20 and the camera 'hand-held''.

Hunnasgiriya town is the highest point on the highway from Kandy to Mahiyangana. I saw this statue close to Madugoda, far away on the top of a hill - see the first photo. I used the 30X zoom on my camera to get a close-up - second photo

Video:-

Ascent to Hunnasgiriya from Theldeniya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U2gdcYyKKM

Gangaramaya Raja Maha Vihara, Lewalla, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

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Bordering 'Udawaththekale' on the road to Lewalla this historic temple has a few old buildings and temple paintings of the 'Kandyan Era' of Sri Lankan history.