Muthumariamman Temple

-




Muthumariamman Temple, also known as Arulmigu Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil is an ancient, colourful temple in Matala, Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name of the temple can be broken down into three parts, 'muthu' meaning pearl, 'mari' means rain and Amman means mother. Thus, this temple is dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of rain and fertility. It is a magnificent, colorful temple, with tall towers, intricate carvings and realistic statues of gods and goddesses.



The temple area was originally part of a paddy field, with a small statue under a tree, visited by the Hindus in Matale.The temple was built in 1874 by Nagalingam, his son Ramanath and around 100 designers, painters and architects from Tamil Nadu, and funded by Nattukkottai Chettiar. It contains 1008 statues of Hindu gods, and a beautifully decorated, 108 feet high Gopuram (tower) called Raja Koburam. This Buddhist and Hindu temple was immensely damaged during the anti-Tamil riots in July 1983, but it was immediately restored. 


Muthumariamman temple has five decorated chariots which represent different Hindu deities. The chariots parade around the town in a ceremony called Ther or Vettai Thiruvizha. This ceremony takes place on the day before Medin Poya, or Poya Say in March.The magnificent, colourful temple, with its tall towers, intricate carvings and realistic statues of gods and goddesses make it the pride of religion in Sri Lanka. Apart from being religiously and culturally significant for the Ceylonese, Muthumariamman temple in Matale is also a frequently visited tourist destination.


🌄 Natural Beauty & Attractions

  • Lakegala Mountain: Dominating the village skyline, this pyramid-shaped peak is steeped in legend, believed to be the site where King Ravana of the Ramayana myth lifted the Dandu Monara (flying machine) 
    Waterfalls & Caves: The area boasts several natural wonders, including Diyakerella Ella Falls, Wedi Lunu Guhawa (Nitre Cave), and Gerandi Ella, each offering unique landscapes and opportunities for exploration .​

  • Mini World's End & Corbet's Gap: These vantage points provide breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, ideal for photography and nature walks .​

🏡 Traditional Lifestyle

The villagers of Meemure maintain a self-sufficient, agrarian lifestyle. Their homes are constructed using eco-friendly materials like clay and Illuk grass, designed to withstand the test of time . Agriculture remains the backbone of their economy, with crops such as paddy, pepper, cardamom, and ginger being cultivated using traditional methods. The terraced paddy fields, known as helmalu, are particularly notable for their aesthetic appeal and historical significance .​

🧭 Visitor Information

  • Access: From Kandy, travel approximately 35 km via the Kandy-Mahiyangana Road to Hunnasgiriya Junction. From there, proceed to Loolwatte and embark on a 14 km hike to reach Meemure. The journey is challenging and requires proper preparation 

  • Accommodations: Due to its remote nature, accommodations are limited. Visitors can opt for camping or stay with local families to experience authentic village life.

  • Best Time to Visit: The ideal months are from December to April, avoiding the heavy rains of the monsoon season.​

⚠️ Travel Tips

  • Connectivity: Expect no mobile network coverage. A CDMA telephone service is available for emergencies.​

  • Mail Services: There is no direct mail delivery. A villager travels daily to Thapal Junction to exchange postal mail .​

  • Preparation: Given the challenging terrain, it's advisable to undertake the journey with a guide and appropriate gear.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Knuckles Range, Matale Overview

-
Image
Knuckles Mountain range is an unusual terrestrial landform in Matale and Kandy, Central Province. The range is a World Heritage Conservation Area and is relatively untouched. The range features 34 peaks, ranging between 900 meters to 2000 meters. Five of these mountain peaks make the formation of a clenched fist. The name was given by the British, and the locals call this range 'Dumbara Kanduvetiya', which means mist-laden mountains. The knuckles Mountain Range is called so because of its uncanny resemblance to the fingers of a clenched fist. The range, with its grasslands, rugged peaks, meandering roads and cascading streams and waterfalls are a vibrant biodiversity zone. Despite being only 0.03% of the country's area, this zone consists of 34% of Sri Lanka's endemic vegetation. The forest cover of the region includes dry evergreen forests, montane forests, sub-montane forests, dry and wet savanna etc. The range faces two significant threats: constant cultivation of ca...
Read more

Best Time To Visit Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

-
Image
     Where you have to waste Anuradapura .. SHARES Adorned with dagobas (stupas), Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s most evocative place to explore. Most of the ruins of Anuradhapura remain as temples or holy places in today’s time. This ancient city is home to not only temples but also pools and budget accommodation places.  Your trip to Anuradhapura for 2 days might turn into 4 or even 5 when you get along with their relaxed-paced lifestyle of theirs. Make sure that you cover the top  places to visit in Anuradhapura  as they will give you a glimpse of the history of this place. Best Time To Visit Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka Image Source Although the weather in Anuradhapura remains the same throughout the year, the best time to visit Anuradhapura has been recorded to be April and September. During these months, the city receives less rainfall and it is a dry season which makes it perfect for sightseeing. So, if you want to explore this place without any hassle then...
Read more