Four days at Mannar and Wilpattu

We started at 5.00 am from Gampaha and reached Puttalam rest house by 8.00 am and had our breakfast.

Puttalam lagoon and wind power mill

From Puttalam it was a relaxing drive along A12 and passing Wilpattu we turned left at Nochchiyagama towards Oyamaduwa and reached Thanthirimale temple. This road is narrow and curvy but well paved.
When the Sri Maha Bodi was brought from India by Buddhist nun Sangamitta, the pot containing the sapling was kept at Thanthirimale for one night. It is believed that there was one branch separately grew from the pot and it was planted at Thanthirimale.

We climbed (apparently ran) the rock and it was boiling, under scorching sun.

Thanthirimale Rock

Top of the rock

The Bo tree at the top of the rock

Reclining statue

From Thanthirimale we drove another 10 KM to meet A14 Medawatchchiya/Mannar road at Gajasinghapura. Then we came to Madu junction and turned right and drove another 10 KM to reach Madu church. The road was in great shape all the way up to the church.

Turnoff from A14 to Madu

Madu Church

Surroundings are very peaceful

Mannar railway line under construction

From Madu we came to Murukkan along A14 and turned left to reach Seelawathura. From there we drove another 5 KM on a gravel road to reach Dorick House, the colonial bungalow which was built in 1804, the residence of the first Governor of Sri Lanka, Sir Fedrick North.

Ruins of Dorick House

Dorick tower seen at a distance

This house was built near Silawathura beach and some of the walls were seen fallen on to the beach.

Inside the house

Fallen parts of the building

Driving another few kilometers on the same gravel road, we reached Fort of Arippu. This was a Dutch Fort where Robert Knox sought protection to escape after his 19 years (1660 – 1679) captivity. Robert Knox is popular for the book he wrote, named ‘Historical relations of Ceylon’

Fort of Arippu

Inside the Fort has become a jungle

From Arippu we came back to Murukkan and drove towards Mannar and then stopped near Giant tank and had our lunch and it was almost 5.00 pm.

Giant tank

Giant tank

From Giant tank we proceeded along A14 and came to Thirukedeeswaran Kovil. We couldn’t get near as the gate was closed. Thereafter, we visited the Biobab tree which is situated in the heart of Mannar town.

Thirukedeeswaran Kovil

Biobab Tree

This tree was brought there by Arabians during 1477 which is 7.5 meters tall and has a circumference of 19 meters.

Biobab tree

Huge trunk of the tree

Then we proceeded through Mannar causeway and came to Four Tees Inn.

Mannar causeway

We were greeted by the owner Mr. Lawrence a very helpful and obliging person.

Next day morning we left to Thalaimannar to visit Adam’s bridge. It’s 24 Four Tees Inn and the road was excellent.KM from

Sri Lanka Navy operates boat tours to Adams bridge sand dune islands. It is also called Rama’s bridge or Rama Sethu. They charge Rs 600/= per head and our boat could accommodate six. We were given life saving jackets and there was a life saver also to accompany us, in addition to the boat operator. So the safety is guaranteed.

Road to Thalaimannar

At Thalalimannar pier

Adam’s bridge is a 30 KM long chain of 16 islands. The folk story is that ‘Rama’ had built this bridge with the help of ‘Hanuman’ to rescue ‘Sitha’ from ‘Ravana’.

We started the boat tour around 7.00am

Riding towards the deep sea

The sea was calm and it was an unforgettable journey and really enjoyable. After about one hour we reached the second island of the Adam’s bridge.

They were disturbed by our boat

Flying away

Getting close to the island

This island is home for several birds

We walked through these shallow ponds

And finally reached the second island

It was an amazing experience when you land on it. As you step on to the island, you get the feeling that it’s virtually a desert. But when you explore it deeply, you will realize that it is actually a heaven.

Some flowering plants

Probably unique to this island

Another peculiar plant unique to this island

Crabs removing Sand balls from their holes on the beach

There were some nice drawings on the sand, done by the master sculptor, ‘Nature’

Nicely drawn by waves

Another peculiar drawing on sand

We were walking freely from one end to the other and it was a wonderful experience.

Amazing landscape

Amazing landscape

Freely walking

Freely walking

Getting ready for the return journey

Hard life of a fisherman

Talaimannar pier seen from the sea

‘Thal kola Weta’ Palmyra leave fence is Very common in Mannar

We came to Four Tees Inn around 11 am and after having lunch said good bye to Mr. Lawrance and came on the same route through Thanthirumale to Nochchiyagama and then to Wilpattu. We stayed at a private house arranged by my trekker Sampath and next day by 6.30 am we were at Wilpattu entrance.

6.30 am at Wilpattu entrance

It was just after the rainy season and the park was looking bright with lush greenery all over with blooming flowers and the water levels had gone down. We drove for about five hours but did not come across any significant sighting except for few birds. I am not a birder and therefore I have no idea of their nomenclature.

1	Just by the side of the road

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

My guess is they are all common birds.

Then we came to Modaragam Aru river near the Kokmote bungalow. We had a nice cool dip there and had lunch.

Kokmete bungalow

River Modaragam

Captured near Modaragam river

Another colourful one at Modaragam river

Enjoying a bath

Moving very slowly

Fully grown sambur

Just crossed in front of our jeep

They were not in abundance this time

It was almost 5.30 pm and we decided to get back. On our way to the main entrance, all of a sudden the driver stopped the jeep and signaled us to be quiet. We were amazed to see a sloth bear about ten meters away from the jeep.

He was hidden behind a shrub and couldn’t get a good view

After few minutes he moved away hurriedly and walked into the jungle

We were disappointed as we couldn’t get a good view. Then we moved little forward and our trekker Sampath asked the driver to stop the jeep and turn off the engine. We patiently waited for about five minutes and to our luck the bear appeared again and came near the jeep and stood for few seconds, without moving even an inch. He was inviting us to snap him as much as possible, so we did it.

Unmoved, Nicely posing, just by the side of the road

Then he moved a bit and looked at us

and vanished into the jungle

Walking away

We came to the bungalow around 6.30 pm. Next day morning we returned home with loads of remarkable memories.