Places to Visit in Tissamaharama – A Vibrant Getaway!

The Yala National Park is a blissful paradise for many creatures that roam about in its mélange of ecosystems. It has been a place of marvel and admiration for nature enthusiasts throughout the years. The many acres of this land is identified in five blocks, of which only the first and fifth are accessible for tourists. The dry season brings the best times to spot fascinating creatures from mammals to reptiles and amphibians to a colourful array of birds. The period between February to March is considered ideal for some highly-coveted leopard spotting which seems to attract a number of tourists each year.

Being one of the four main Buddhist monasteries in ancient Sri Lanka, Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya has a sacred history of being visited by Lord Buddha along with five-hundred monks that have attained enlightenment. King Kawantissa has founded the monastery after the establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. But contrary to popular belief, it is also debated that King Kawantissa only enlarged the shrine after the initial work was completed by King Mahanaga. It was also hailed as a leading Buddhist educational centre of southern Sri Lanka in the olden days. In the premises of the Viharaya, one can see the blindingly white stupa of Tissamaharama which is one of the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka.

Lying within a 20-minute driving distance from the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya is the Bundala Birds Paradise. It is a premier bird-watching destination of Sri Lanka boasting of more than 200 birds from near and far adorning the trees and the lakes of the region. It is identified that most of the migratory birds make their way here through the Indo-Asian flyway to escape the extreme cold of the Northern part of the world. The evening offers the visitors picturesque views of the birds silhouetted across the sky and treetops as the sun sets behind a lake, smattering the sky with a pinkish glow.

Yatala Wehera is yet another stupa located in Tissamaharama. It is stated that the stupa was built as a commemoration of the birth of King Yatala Tissa; either by his father or the king himself. It has been staged on flat granite stones with a surrounding wall that is bedecked with sculptures of elephant heads. Complete with a moat and a moonstone, this elegant stupa dates back to the 3rd century BC.

Tissa Lake is an artificial reservoir built to supply water to the thriving city of Tissamaharama and to irrigate the paddy fields in ancient times. It is rumoured to have been constructed by either King Yatala Tissa or by his father, King Mahanaga of Ruhuna in the 3rd century BC. A walk along this scenic lake is a must-have experience while you're taking lodgings at a Tissamaharama hotel the likes of Kithala Resort. The serene atmosphere of the lake along with the surrounding nature will make you feel at peace.