Ambuluwawa, in Sri Lanka’s Central Province near the town of Gampola, is a popular tourist attraction known for its natural beauty, biodiversity, and spiritual significance. Gampola, the former capital of the kingdom founded by Sinhalese King Buvanekabahu IV (1341-1357 AD), serves as the entryway to Ambuluwawa Hill. The hill is 590 meters (1,965 feet) above Gampola and 1,112 meters (3,650 feet) above sea level, providing amazing views of the surrounding area.
One of Ambuluwawa’s primary attractions is the Ambuluwawa Tower, also known as the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex. This location is a one-of-a-kind multi-religious center that reflects all of Sri Lanka’s religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Temples dedicated to each of these faiths are located at the peak, allowing tourists to experience the country’s cultural and religious variety.
In addition to its spiritual significance, Ambuluwawa is well-known for its diverse ecosystem. The hill is covered in beautiful foliage, with a diverse range of trees, plants, and flowers. It also acts as a habitat for a variety of bird species and other wildlife, making it ideal for nature lovers.
Visitors to Ambuluwawa can enjoy trekking and nature treks along well-maintained routes, where the mild climate and calm environment provide an excellent backdrop for those seeking tranquillity and natural beauty. The sweeping views from the summit are especially beautiful at sunrise and dusk.
Ambuluwawa’s most exciting feature is the Ambuluwawa Stupa, which sits on the summit. The stupa is erected on top of a tall hollow cylinder with a spiral staircase within that goes to the stupa’s dome from the outer base.
The stupa’s size is modest, but its height contributes to its charm. An outside staircase runs around the dome and leads to the stupa’s pinnacle. As visitors ascend, the stairway narrows, making it difficult for two people to pass one another. To achieve this, little alcoves are positioned along the staircase so that one person can step aside to let another to pass.
The ascent to the summit is one of the most thrilling experiences, with amazing views of the surrounding cities and mountains, making it one of the most photographed locations in the area.
Ambuluwawa is more than just a tourist destination; it is also a cultural and religious center for the Sri Lankan people. It provides a rare opportunity to explore the country’s diverse religious heritage while admiring its natural beauty.
Ambuluwawa – Biodiversity
Biodiversity at Ambuluwawa has a more complex expansion than other examples of biodiversity. Ambuluwawa is a rock mountain, however it differs from the rock mountains found in Sri Lanka. It is built of “Inselberg” rock, which is resistant to natural erosion.
Experiments on plant diversity at Ambuluwawa are still ongoing. According to current research, there are around 200 plant varieties classified into 80 plant families. The soil here is red or brown and belongs to the latezoic group. Medicinal plants such as ‘iramusu’,’muva kiriya’, and ‘nawa handi’ are commonly grown in the area.
The mountain is surrounded by uniformly scattered evergreen woods, groves of blossoming flower plants, and creepers, which chill the breeze around it. The panoramic view of the mountain ranges is both appealing and striking. Clearly visible mountains such as Pidurutalagala in the east, Bathalegala or Bible Rock in the west, Sri Pada or Adams Peak in the south, and the Knuckles Range in the north enhance the picturesque splendor of the region. Aside from these, mountain ranges linked with Alagalla and Kadugannawa, mountains such as Hanthana and Hunnasgiri, and mountains in the Nuwara Eliya district are plainly visible and lend beauty to the surrounding landscape.
