Jathika Namal Uyana

Be it as a human sanctuary, a meditation center, or a forest reservation, the Jathika Namal Uyana has stood steadfast through the centuries, bearing silent witness to the ever changing wheel of time.

It is now and always will be a part of Sri Lanka’s illustrious history and one of its most facsinating natural wonders around.

...Namal Uyana itself, covers 260 Acres filled with Naa trees...

From the magnificent forest of Naa Trees to the breathtaking awe of the Rose Quartz mountain range, this nature reserve is filled to brimming with life of various shapes and sizes, many of which are indigenous to the area or Sri Lanka.

In fact it is not immodest to say that the Jathika Namal Uyana is home to a good portion of the flora and fauna which calls Sri Lanka their home. You might feel compelled to ask though: Of what significance is it to the history of the country and its people? Besides being laden with a plethora of plant and wild life, what more does the Jathika Namal Uyana have to offer?

The answer would have to be, quite a lot indeed. Forming a rich and colorful tapestry of life through the ages, the Jathika Namal Uyana offers a glimpse into another life and another lifetime. The majesty of the forest itself is comparable to its history, and each is a story worth telling in its own right.

The Uyana itself

If you’ve never visited Sri Lanka then it might be difficult to visualize exactly what it’s like. Some people will tell you to just picture paradise if you want to get an idea.

...offers a glimpse into another life and another lifetime...

The problem with this however, is that everyone’s idea of paradise differs. For that reason alone, it is best to think of this little island nation as something other than a paradise, far from perfect and far from the ideal place to live for many people.

For the people of Sri Lanka however, this is the place they call home and it is within the boundaries of this “home” that we now find ourselves, in a place called the Jathika Namal Uyana.

For those of you who read and speak Sinhala, here it is written in plain Sinhala.

ජාතික නාමල් උයන

if you haven't yet mastered the language, here it is in a – hopefully – easy way to read.

Jah-thi-ka Nah-mahl Oo-ya-na.

The Jathika Namal Uyana is a forest reservation that can be found in the northern regions of the country. It is in fact, the oldest manmade forest to be found in Sri Lanka and its history and significance dates back over many thousands of years.

Whereas the people who think of this island nation as paradise, mainly picture sandy beaches, jewel toned seas, and balmy days, this particular portion of where we call paradise is nowhere near any sand or surf.

Instead this forest reservation that we visit now, is to be found in the Dry Zone of the country. This means that during the seasons when rains are scarce, the land is very harsh and difficult to live on, and can at times resemble a moderate desert.

...lush fields stretching as far as the eye can see...

However return in the monsoon season and the Jathika Namal Uyana, and the surrounding areas, will have undergone a miraculous transformation (besides becoming waterlogged!).

You will find that the forest reserve is not the only place to benefit and rejuvenate from the constant and steady downpour, but also the lands in the surrounding areas.

What you find at this time, are lush fields stretching out as far as the eye can see, a luxuriant green carpet of rice fields stretching out from horizon to horizon with swollen river beds and lakes overflowing with crystal clear waters take the place of once arid and sandy patches.

What you will find

When you finally reach the Jathika Namal Uyana you will find a diverse mix of cultural heritage and nature all rolled into one.

And this won’t only be from the moment that you enter the lush coolness of the Naa (ironwood) forest. It will be an ongoing onslaught to the mind, body and soul from the moment you take that turn into the tree lined avenue that will eventually lead you there.

So what will you find to interest you in the roughly 260 acres of Naa forest?

The Naa Forest itself.
The largest deposit of Rose Quartz to be found in South Asia, literally mountains of it.
A clear bubbling, underwater spring that emerges intriguingly out at several different points in the Naa forest.
One of the largest beds of fossilized plants
A rich and colorful history
Ancient ruins and temples
A rich biodiversity of plant and animal life