A Day at Madu River with Lanka Sawari
FB : https://www.facebook.com/LankaSawariSL/?fref=tsWeb : http://www.lankasawari.com/Contact : Hansi -0773774448 or Kasun 0774884328 for more details.....Madu River is famous for it's beauty due to natural mangrove in the islands. Madu River is ashallow water body in south west in Sri Lanka which has 64 for islands in it. Most Islands are in medium size and only 3 island have the civilization. The largest island has around 225 families while the other islands has 15 - 30 families.
Madu River considered as the second Largest Wetland in Sri Lanka.
There are so many legends about Madu River which says the importance the river. During the pre colonization period Madu ganga was used as one of the main water ways connecting cities and ancient Sinhala Kingdoms.
We started our Journey to visit Madu River on 29th of October. Our Group consist of 15 people including my self and husband. The Madu River Journey should be done in boats which are freely available near Balapitiya Bridge and We found our boats after going little further to the inland.
We had o use 02 boats which are fully occupied with life jackets and we have been given instructions to ware them till the end of the journey. So we started our journey from the sea side. We started to sail towards the country side.
We started travel slowly and the boat started to speed up. We had to bend down since there were two bridges where they are in our head levels due to high water levels.
Then we entered in to a large mangrove Cave! We all were amazed for the beauty of that, It was dark inside and is mysterious inside. For a moment I fest as I'm in a rain forest.
The main mangrove species found in Madu River is Rhizophora" . Rhizophora apuculata and Rhizophora mucronata are groves rapidly in the river banks. The mangroves act as a bio-lock to the area in giving protection to the variety of aquatic plants and animal life. They provide a home for different kinds of aquatic plants, crabs, shrimps, fish, various invertebrates and other animal life including crocodiles .
All were enjoying the mangrove area and used to take photographs. There were mangrove caves which we went through and it was an unforgettable experience for all.
Then again we started our ride peacefully.
It was not just a boat ride. We were fortunate to see so many new things which we have never seen before.
A King Coconut Stall on the River
A old women in a boat who has collected fire woods.
Then the time to have a fish therapy. There were tanks built on the river which contains lots of Fish.You can put your legs to the tanks and let them to bite your legs. First it was itching and then we have get used to it and some kind of a soothing power included there. We felt relaxed when we looking at the fish moving as a herd here and there. The owners of the place spread some fish food and then they were gathering to the ares of the food available.
Also we were lucky enough to ride this traditions boat at the Fish therapy premises.
Then we again headed towards. Everywhere we found was green colour water and small, small islands.
Then we stepped in to an island which contains Cinnamon. That island is known as the Cinnamon Island. The main income of the villagers are Cinnamon. We got an opportunity to talk with few villagers and got to know village has around 15 families and most of them are depending on displaying how cinnamon and cinnamon oil originating to the foreigners and sell the products to them. They use boats as their main transportation method.
A person explain us how cinnamon grows, how to peel the bark and how to extract the oil and the equipment which used in different steps.
Meanwhile our thirst was quenched by a nice cinnamon tea served there.
He got the best products of cinnamon which was ready to sell and some people were buying those to take home. Also while we were in a one cinnamon hut, there were another 03 huts which were full with foreigners. We noticed that all were enjoying the cinnamon tea.
Our next island was Suwa Samadhi Ashramaya which has a newly built temple. There was a small rain when we were in the middle of the river and we took it as a blessing and rushed to the temple. As per the guide, there is a monk in the temple and some constructions were going on.
That island was called as "Nooru Gala" which has a large rock bed, The pagoda had built on the rock bed and we found a pole with stone writing ( Sel Lipi) at the top of the rock bed which shows that there is a historical value in the island.
Our next destination was to visit koth Duwa temple but due to bas weather we were unable to go there.
There are 03 islands which has temples in the area and the largest one is the island which has koth duwa temple. There are so many ancient legends about the temple.
This temple is located in Kothduwa Island which is believed to have once sheltered the sacred relic of the tooth of the Buddha, circa 340 CE.The Bodhi tree on the island was planted from a bud of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi by Deva Pathiraja, minister to King Parakramabahu IV. Also this has been a location for a famous tele drama "Swayan Jatha"
Our next Destination was "Satha Pahe Duwa" which is the smallest island on the river. Small Devalaya built in the island but currently it has been destroyed.
Then we came to the island which we decided to stop for lunch. Our aim was to spend little time there, relax and enjoy the beauty of the area while having meals.
The BBQ operation was started. we brought seasoned chicken and sausages and were lucky to buy some fresh fish before we getting in to the boat in the morning.
There were so many cooks who were expert in doing BBQ.
Then we had our packet meals there with BBQ Chicken, Fish and Sausages. All were enjoying the food and gossips together.
On the way we able to see Kraals ( Ja Kotu) Which designed specially for shrimps and small fish.
It was evening when we return back to the boat yard and we were again fortunate to buy some fresh fish to take home. All in that area were very friendly and supportive.
We finished our journey by about 4.30 in the evening thinking to return back soon!!
No comments:
Post a Comment