Located towards the north of the Central Province of Sri Lanka is the historic city of Sigiriya. Sigiriya, which basically means ‘Lion’s Rock’, is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Sigiriya Rock. The city of Sigiriya and its iconic Sigiriya Rock were made famous by King Kashyapa, who chose the city as his kingdom and built an awe-inspiring fortress around the Sigiriya Rock, which is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions.
Situated in close proximity to Sigiriya is the Jathika Namal Uyana, one of the largest Na tree forests in Sri Lanka and also home to the largest rose quartz mountain in Asia. This ancient and completely naturally grown forest is one of the most picturesque areas of Sri Lanka owing to its immense natural beauty. Many a tourist and local folk visit the Jathika Nama Uyana each year, making it one of the more popular natural attractions of Sri Lanka.
Roughly 7km away from the Madatugama junction along the Colombo-Anuradhapura road, the Jathika Namal Uyana has been a prominent natural park and forest for over a thousand years. The forest spreads over an area of over 260 acres, and is dotted with hundreds of Na Trees, or ironwood trees. In Sri Lankan culture, the Na Tree is of great significance, as it is both the national tree, and the tree is closely associated with the Buddhist philosophy as well as many other religions in Sri Lanka. The Na Flower, which is known for its ayurvedic qualities, is also a popular flower in Sri Lankan culture. This park is known for its stunning natural beauty and serenity, which has left many of its visitors in a state of bliss and tranquility. It is for this reason that the Jathika Namal Uyana is a popular meditation centre amongst Buddhist monks as well as laypeople. The park is also home to over 60 varieties of birds, which makes it a welcome attraction for bird watchers.
Through the Na tree forest is a wide, well-travelled pathway that will bring you to the base of the rose quartz mountain. There are helpers in the area to assist you if you wish to climb to the top of one peak, atop which sits a giant white Buddha statue. The viewpoint affords stunning views of the surrounding landscape, as well as the other peaks in the area that are covered with vibrant pink crystal quartz.
Offering a great view of the amazing Sigiriya Rock is the Hotel Sigirya, a luxury and tranquil hotel in Sigiriya. With the promise of giving you a taste of the legendary Sri Lankan hospitality and excellent service, this hotel offers accommodation in elegant and beautifully appointed Superior rooms. The hotel also offers a range of wellness services such as spa and ayurvedic treatments, a range of dining facilities, and a wide variety of recreational activities including safaris and excursions, making it one of the most value-for-money hotels Sigiriya has to offer visitors to the region.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.
