Seethawakapura City Walk Guide: Exploring Ancient Kingdom Ruins and Waterfall Secrets of Sri Lanka

Seethawakapura, also known as Sitawaka, is a historic city in Sri Lanka's Western Province, just 60 kilometers from Colombo. This small town carries the glorious legacy of the 16th-century Sitawaka Kingdom — the legendary warrior King Rajasinghe I once crushed the Portuguese colonial army here with his war elephants, earning him the title "Lion of Sitawaka." Today, ancient ruins are scattered among tropical rainforests and rubber plantations, with waterfalls and streams crisscrossing the landscape — a secret realm forgotten by time.

🚶 Day 1: Time Travel — Ancient Ruins and Royal Temples

Morning: Sitawaka Palace Ruins (Seethawaka Raja Maligawa)

Departing from Colombo, drive approximately 1.5 hours along the A4 highway to Avissawella, the heart of Seethawakapura. Your first stop is the Sitawaka Palace Ruins, originally built as the capital by King Mayadunne in 1524. Archaeologists have uncovered ancient wall foundations and palace remnants here. Though the structures have crumbled to stone, standing among the ruins you can still feel the grandeur of the ancient capital. A small museum at the entrance displays excavated pottery, coins, and weapons. Entry fee is approximately 200 LKR.

Noon: Local Lunch in Avissawella

Head to the UDA Rest House in town for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine:

Rice & Curry: Fish curry, dhal soup, stir-fried papaya leaves, and sambol — approximately 500-800 LKR
Kottu Roti: Chopped roti stir-fried on a griddle with vegetables or egg — a street food classic, about 300-500 LKR
Kiri Pani (Curd & Honey): Buffalo milk curd drizzled with local honey — refreshing and cool, about 200 LKR

Afternoon: Maniyangama Raja Maha Viharaya

Drive about 10 minutes along the Avissawella-Panawala road to this 500-year-old Buddhist temple. The temple houses an ancient reclining Buddha and exquisite murals depicting Buddhist stories from the Sitawaka Kingdom era. A small stupa atop the hill behind the temple offers panoramic views of the entire Seethawaka River Valley — lush rubber forests and distant mountain ranges stretching to the horizon.

Evening: Berendi Kovil

This Hindu temple was built by King Rajasinghe I in the 16th century, blending Sinhalese and South Indian architectural styles. The surviving stone pillars and carvings feature exquisite mythical beast motifs that are particularly photogenic in the golden sunset light. A stream near the temple is where local residents often bathe for blessings.

🚶 Day 2: Green Paradise — Wet Zone Botanical Garden and Nature Exploration

Morning: Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens

Today's highlight! This 42-hectare botanical garden was formerly a rubber and tea plantation, now transformed into a research and conservation center for Sri Lanka's wet zone flora. The garden boasts over 500 plant species, including many rare species from the Sinharaja Rainforest.

Must-See Areas:

🌺 Orchid House: Dozens of Sri Lankan endemic orchid species — Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium are particularly stunning
🌿 Fern Garden: Ancient ferns under deep shade, reminiscent of Jurassic Park
🌹 Rose Garden: Heat-tolerant rose varieties at the higher elevation
🎋 Japanese Garden: A beautifully designed Oriental landscape with bamboo groves and stone bridges over flowing water
🏔️ Viewpoint: Take a golf cart uphill for panoramic views of the entire garden and distant mountain ridges

Practical Info:

Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Entrance fee: Locals 200 LKR / Foreigners 3,000 LKR
Golf cart guided tour: Additional fee, approximately 45 minutes
Swan boat lake ride: Perfect for couples and families

Noon: Garden Picnic or Return to Town

The botanical garden has multiple picnic areas — bring your own food for a leisurely tropical garden lunch. If you prefer restaurants, Hotel Kashyapa and Food Bazaar in Avissawella town are good options.

Afternoon: Hiking Through Rubber Estates

From the botanical garden, hike along the rural road toward Thummodara. Both sides are lined with dense rubber plantations interspersed with tea bushes. With luck, you might spot Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys leaping among the bamboo groves. This route is approximately 3.5 km, about 1 hour on foot with gentle gradients.

🚶 Day 3: Waterfall Secrets — Stream Adventures and Local Culture

Morning: Ranmudu Ella Falls

One of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Seethawaka area, approximately 15 meters high. A tributary of the Wakganga River cascades into a refreshing plunge pool. The name means "Gold Ring Falls" — legend has it that King Rajasinghe I once lost a gold ring here.

Directions: From Avissawella, take the A4 highway to the Puwakpitiya junction, turn right onto Thummodara Road, pass the botanical garden and continue 3.5 km, then turn left onto Pannagula Road. Walk about 15 minutes to reach the falls.

⚠️ Note: During dry season (December-April) the plunge pool is suitable for swimming, but watch for leeches! Wear long pants and non-slip shoes. During rainy season, currents are strong — do not enter the water.

Noon: Local Street Food

On your way back, stop at roadside stalls for authentic Sri Lankan snacks:

Hoppers (Appa): Bowl-shaped rice flour pancakes with spicy sauce and coconut milk — about 100-150 LKR
String Hoppers (Idiyappam): Rice noodle nests served with curry — about 150 LKR
Jackfruit: Fresh jackfruit is often sold by the roadside — sweet and creamy

Afternoon: Kumari Ella and Cultural Exploration

If time permits, continue exploring nearby Kumari Ella waterfall, connected to legends of King Rajasinghe I's daughter. The falls are about 4 meters high, one of four small waterfalls along the upper Kelani River, with natural rock platforms perfect for quiet meditation.

Return to Avissawella town to browse the local market, where you'll find fresh tropical fruits, spices, and handicrafts at prices much lower than in Colombo.

🍜 Food Recommendations

Dish	Price (LKR)	Where to Try
Rice & Curry Set	500-800	UDA Rest House
Kottu Roti	300-500	Roadside stalls in town
Hoppers	100-150	Breakfast stalls
Coconut Water	50-80	Roadside coconut vendors
Fruit Platter	200-300	Avissawella Market

🚗 Transportation Guide

From Colombo:

🚗 Self-drive / Chartered car: Take A4 highway southeast approximately 60 km, about 1.5 hours. Round-trip charter costs about 5,000-8,000 LKR
🚌 Bus: Long-distance buses from Colombo bus station to Avissawella, about 2 hours, ticket approximately 150 LKR
🚂 Train: Slow train from Colombo to Avissawella with scenic views, about 2.5 hours, third class only 50 LKR

Local Transportation:

Tuk-tuk: Short trips in town 100-300 LKR, half-day charter about 1,500 LKR
Motorcycle taxi: Suitable for reaching remote waterfall destinations

💡 Practical Tips

Best Season: December to April (dry season). Avoid southwest monsoon (May-June) and main monsoon (September-November)
Dress Code: Remove shoes and cover shoulders at temples. Wear non-slip shoes and long pants for waterfall hikes (leech protection)
Insect Protection: Rainforest areas have many mosquitoes — bring DEET-based repellent
Cash: Few ATMs in the small town — withdraw enough cash in Colombo
Language: Locals mainly speak Sinhala; basic English works at tourist sites
Photography: The botanical garden and waterfalls are photographer's paradises — bring a polarizing filter
Rain Gear: Even in dry season, carry a lightweight rain jacket — mountain weather is changeable

Seethawakapura lacks the bustle of Colombo and the fame of Kandy, but it's precisely this tranquility and rawness that allows every visitor to travel back to the ancient kingdom of war elephants and feel the hidden charm of Sri Lanka. 🌿