Sri Lanka: Tissamaharama

Tissamaharama is a small town in the southern Sri Lanka and a jumping off point to explore three large national parks around it. But the town itself has a long history and was the capital of the ancient 3rd century BC Kingdom of Ruhuna. A massive Tissa Dagoba (bubble-shaped stupa) dates from that time and the sight was supposedly consecrated by Buddha himself when he visited the area. This is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka. Also interesting is the Tissa Wewa – a large artificial lake dating to the same ancient times and part of the elaborate irrigation system built then – it’s beautiful with white lotus and water hyacinth in bloom. And finally, there is a second smaller Dagoba – Yatala Wehera – set in an even more spectacular location – on a mini island surrounded by lotus flowers and elephant sculptures adorning the entire platform in its circumference.
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