Joanna James
Tissamaharama is a serene town situated in the deep south of Sri Lanka. It has become a notable pitstop for those visiting elsewhere and has become especially memorable for the lake which appears as a pleasant surprise after hours on the road. Here's a list of things to do when you're in town.
As mentioned above, the man-made lake known as the Tissa Wewa reservoir is the focal point of the otherwise sleepy and quiet town. While you're here, we suggest hopping on a boat for a relaxing afternoon and it is indubitably one of the best things to do in Tissamaharama. Sri Lanka is known for its extensive and ancient network of canals and reservoirs, and this very reservoir is thought to have been constructed around the 3rd Century BC, to supply water to Tissamaharama and also to irrigate the paddy lands in the surrounding area. From the lake, you can catch the magnificent wild birds grace the skyline and the colonies of fruit bats taking refuge from the days heat in the large trees which link the embankment. If you fancy a stroll during the less warm parts of the day, we suggest taking a stroll along the walking path along the lake.
The Yatala temple is older than two millennia, as is said to have been built by King Mahanaga, to commemorate the birth of his son, Yatala Tissa. It is rumoured that the temple was also built to pay homage to the Divine, in thanksgiving for the blessing in which the king was able to evade an assassination attempt while he was in the ancient capital of Anuradhapura. The temple is famous for the beautifully preserved moonstone and guard stones inside the temple complex. If you have some time, we suggest dipping into the museum, which is a temple adjacent to immerse yourself in artefacts and royal fittings from over 2000 years ago!
Tissamaharma is replete with bodies of water. You can spend the afternoon in a canoe in the stunning Yodakandiya lake. With its shady recesses and beautiful treelines banks, you can expect to share the waters with some local fishermen.
This national park is an absolute haven for birds and avid bird watchers alike! You can expect to spot more than 200 bird species in this park. In comparison to other national parks, the roads are well maintained and you can expect to enjoy a much smoother safari ride in the park. And it's not just the wild birds, you can expect to run into a wild elephant or two as well!
One can't drive to Tissamaharama and not visit one of Sri Lanka's most popular and exciting wildlife parks - Yala National Park. We suggest spending the night in a comfortable and central hotel such as the Kithala Resort in Tissamaharama, before heading over to Yala for the safari. If you have an early morning safari planned, staying in Tissamaharama will be particularly helpful so that you can get in as much sleep as possible to make it to the park on time!
The Park is a landmark tourist destination in Sri Lanka and is especially popular the world over for the increased likelihood of spotting the exceedingly shy big cat known to roam the park – the Sri Lankan leopard! You can also expect to find elephants, bears, deer, crocodiles, and stacks of other birds, mammals and reptiles who have made a home in the Yala National Park.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
