Udawattakele sanctuary, Kandy means the "forest above the garden". It is located in the capital of Kandy district. This Sanctuary consisting of 257 acres of land can be found in the centre of the town and to the north of the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa or the "Temple of the Tooth". Udawattakele sanctuary, Kandy was formally considered as a sanctuary only in the year 1938. Udawattakele sanctuary is one of the main Tourist destinations in Kandy.
Udawattakele sanctuary, Kandy is also recognized as the "Royal Forest Park". Udawattakele sanctuary in Kandy has great connection with the Kings and Queens of Kandy. The history of this sanctuary can be traced back to the 2nd century AD. At that time Kandy was governed by King Gajaba. Udawattakele and the present day Kandy was wasteland during that period. A person named Senkada was the first one to consider that this region can be turned into area where people can live.
King Wickramabahu III built his palace in the wet, evergreen forest close by. He gave a name to this forest known as "Udawasalawatta" which means the "upper front of the garden". He said that it can be used only by the royal family. Udawasalawatta was appreciated for its beauty and peacefulness as well as for a huge bathing pond.
During the reign of the Kings, the forest was the only place from where one could get firewood for the castle and for the daily needs of the people residing in the adjoining areas. As a result it led to the deforestation of "Udawasalawatta". It was only in the year 1856 the condition of the forest improved. At that time the government declared it to be a reserved forest. Presently the Forestry Department has put in a lot of effort in reforestation of "Udawasalawatta", thus reviving its lost origin.
In regulating Kandy's micro-climate, Udawattakele sanctuary, Kandy currently plays a very important part. It greatly absorbs all the smokes that come out of the vehicles, thereby improving the quality of the air in the area. In addition the watershed provides as the centre of attraction of the town, the beautiful Kandy Lake.
A number of paths which are romantically named entwine between the towering nuga milla and mahagony trees. Lady Horton's Walk is one of the oldest of these pathways. One of the favorite spots for the young couples is the Lover's Walk that makes it way surrounding the central pond.
Another place inside the Udawattakele sanctuary in Kandy which greatly interests the visitors is the Giant Pus Wela. It is a widespread climber which is about 200-300 years old. This climber is as thick as other climbers and twists itself up into a canopy.
You can find a lot of deer in this forest who considers Udawattakele as their home. You can even find black-napped hares and palm squirrels in this forest. Fishing cat, the second largest feline of Sri Lanka, resides within Udawattakele sanctuary, Kandy too. They are often mistaken as leopard cubs in rural regions.
The most remarkable feature of Udawattakele sanctuary, Kandy are the beautiful, chirping birds. This area is enriched with the melodious songs of orioles and the raucous, beady-eyed Asian koels.
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