Batadombalena is one of the pre-historic places where the famous Balangoda Manawaya or the Balangoda Man had lived. This cave is situated about 5km from the Kuruwita town which is a suburb of Rathnapura. You need to hike up a mountain with thick jungle to get there so we strongly advice you to come prepared for the hike. Especially, this place is full of leeches who eagerly waiting for your blood. Therefore, we advise you to take some soap with you to chase away the fellows. It is advisable to wear a short with sandals or slippers because you need to travel through small streams from time to time. There is only a board from the Department of Archaeology and a board showing the way up. If you are travelling in a vehicle, you need to park it by the boutique near the path leading to the jungle and start your hike. It is advisable you take some water bottles along with you.
On your way up, you are invading the territory of leeches, giant hakarallas, giant ants and spiders. Believe me, other than the leeches, all the others are harmless even though they look creepy. Leave the guys alone and be on your way. You will find a small stream of water running parallel to the path and the water is so clear and clean you think you could even drink! You will not see the sunlight for most of the journey as you are going through a thick jungle. The ground and the surrounding rocks are ever wet due to the same reason.
Once you go up passing the thick jungle, you will be amazed to see a rubber plantation. At that time, you might think that you have taken a wrong turn but do not change course, go right up and you will find the cave, magnificently rising on it's all pride of thousands years of history. The sad fact is apparently, this area had been cleared recently to cultivate rubber. If this cave also surrounded with a thick jungle, that will be more beautiful and also will give more protection to the ancient caves as the direct sunlight could fast track the decaying/ peeling off process of the rocks.
You will find an excavation site in the main cave. Inside the main cave, it is so cool and the cave is so huge it could accommodate around 1000 people at a time. If you are interested in rock/cave expedition, you will find a lot of varieties inside. There are crevices inside the cave some are so deep you can walk right in.
Outside the caves, you will find a small waterfall which is falling down from the top of the caves. If you walk to the other side of the rock, you will find some nice photo angles of the rocks and the waterfalls. However, be careful as the rocks are extremely slippery. We advise you to wear a slippers/sandals with a better grip and do not step on to the dead leaves as they could cover the crevices between boulders. One loose step, you will be 10-15 down probably breaking a limb or bang your head on a rock for the worst case!
On the way back, go through on the stream for a change! The water is so cool so they could sooth your aching soles and believe me, it's fun...In some places, it's challenging as you have to jump from rock to rock etc...If you are not feeling not confident, you can always take the ground path. It is advisable you keep your foot only on the rocks which are submerged under water. The rocks which have emerged from water are extremely slippery.
The rest of the hike back down is fast and easy. You just have to lift your feet. The gravitational force will eventually take you down.
As a general advise, please do not litter the virgin jungle with your stuff. Do not harm the creatures as they do not harm you. Even the leeches case, do not kill them, just take them off from your skin and throw away. Please do not enter this place under the influence of alcohol. Balance is a much needed skill needed on this hike...
On your way up, you are invading the territory of leeches, giant hakarallas, giant ants and spiders. Believe me, other than the leeches, all the others are harmless even though they look creepy. Leave the guys alone and be on your way. You will find a small stream of water running parallel to the path and the water is so clear and clean you think you could even drink! You will not see the sunlight for most of the journey as you are going through a thick jungle. The ground and the surrounding rocks are ever wet due to the same reason.
Once you go up passing the thick jungle, you will be amazed to see a rubber plantation. At that time, you might think that you have taken a wrong turn but do not change course, go right up and you will find the cave, magnificently rising on it's all pride of thousands years of history. The sad fact is apparently, this area had been cleared recently to cultivate rubber. If this cave also surrounded with a thick jungle, that will be more beautiful and also will give more protection to the ancient caves as the direct sunlight could fast track the decaying/ peeling off process of the rocks.
You will find an excavation site in the main cave. Inside the main cave, it is so cool and the cave is so huge it could accommodate around 1000 people at a time. If you are interested in rock/cave expedition, you will find a lot of varieties inside. There are crevices inside the cave some are so deep you can walk right in.
Outside the caves, you will find a small waterfall which is falling down from the top of the caves. If you walk to the other side of the rock, you will find some nice photo angles of the rocks and the waterfalls. However, be careful as the rocks are extremely slippery. We advise you to wear a slippers/sandals with a better grip and do not step on to the dead leaves as they could cover the crevices between boulders. One loose step, you will be 10-15 down probably breaking a limb or bang your head on a rock for the worst case!
On the way back, go through on the stream for a change! The water is so cool so they could sooth your aching soles and believe me, it's fun...In some places, it's challenging as you have to jump from rock to rock etc...If you are not feeling not confident, you can always take the ground path. It is advisable you keep your foot only on the rocks which are submerged under water. The rocks which have emerged from water are extremely slippery.
The rest of the hike back down is fast and easy. You just have to lift your feet. The gravitational force will eventually take you down.
As a general advise, please do not litter the virgin jungle with your stuff. Do not harm the creatures as they do not harm you. Even the leeches case, do not kill them, just take them off from your skin and throw away. Please do not enter this place under the influence of alcohol. Balance is a much needed skill needed on this hike...
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