Formerly known as Victoria Park after Queen Victoria, the Viharamahadevi Park is the only park located in Colombo and provides a natural haven for those who need a break from the chaos of the city. While there are plenty of things to see in Colombo, from shopping to cultural sites, a visit to the park should not be missed.
Located in central Colombo, the park is flanked by the public library on one side and the Colombo municipal hall on the other end. The park was built during the colonial era by the British and was used for various purposes that included serving as a base for the British army stationed in Colombo during WW2 and even hosting cricket matches in the 1920’s. It was later renamed Vihara Maha Devi Park, in honor of a historic Sinhalese queen.
Recent landscaping improvements have been made to the park making it more family friendly, and if you happened to be staying at one of the boutique city hotels nearby, like the Colombo Courtyard, you might be able to see the park’s soft, twinkling lights as its light up at dusk. The park’s new design includes paved avenues and jogging tracks that weave through the lush greenery, whilst comfortable benches and gazebos are interspersed throughout the park for the weary-footed.
A variety of trees and flowers can be found here as well as fountains and a large pond that is home to several tortoises and plenty of birdlife. If you’re lucky, you might even see a few elephants from the nearby temple grazing here. On one side of the park is a special Kiddie’s playground that features a jungle gym, a small train, an amusement park and even a mini aquarium.
There are several interesting monuments located around the park such as the Cenotaph War Memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers of WW2, statues of Queen Victoria and Vihara Maha Devi and a large gold statute of the Buddha. The Viharamahadevi Park is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll or simply relaxing in the cool shade of the trees.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
