MADOL DOOVA IN KOGGALA
This beautiful Lake front property was designed by the late and famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. His work has a tremendous impact upon architecture throughout the Asian region.
This peaceful property is situated in the small village of Kathaluwe on Lake Koggala. The house is 700 metres from Galle Road, 100 metres from the South Beach Hotel in Koggala and only 12 kms south of the Galle Fort.
Mandalay is a tranquil haven, allowing one to relax and revitalize. You will be enthralled by the diversity of wild life and all that nature has to offer. In a lovely sheltered position away from blasting ocean breezes, Mandalay has extensive views. From the lovely old railway bridge to the left, to the opening of the larger section of the lake to the right. The historic, uninhabited island named, "Mandol Doova", is our direct view.
The museum of the renown author Martin Wickramasinghe is approximately two kilometers north, on Galle Road, and an ideal place to learn more about the island and the history of the area..
You only have to walk 50 metres from the front gate of Mandalay and you are able to visit the famous Giniwella Kathaluwa temple and the ancient Kathaluwa Temple. The beautiful Buddhist temple is known for its murals and for the preserved first printing press, brought by the Dutch to Sri Lanka. However, this is a beautiful place deemed in history and is resided by three Buddhist monks.
Kataluva Purvarama Maha Viharaya
Around 5 km beyond Koggala lies one of the south's most absorbing temples, the Kataluwa Purvarama Mahavihara. The temple was built originally in the 13th century has some with late 19th century additions. The temple is renowned for its remarkable Kandyan-style paintings in the main shrine, dating from the late nineteenth century. The paintings of musicians & dancers & the European figures illustrating an interesting piece of social history. Some of the Jatake tales (episodes from the Buddha's series of 550 previous lives) scenes painted here are said to be 200 years old.
Cameo-style paintings of Queen Victoria & the Queen Mother too are done in gratitude of Queen Victoria's role in ensuring the free practice of Buddhism outlined in the Kandyan capitulation of Lanka in 1815.
Turtle hatchery
Nearby there is a small turtle hatchery opened in 1996, which buys turtle eggs from the fishermen in an attempt to discourage them from poaching & selling the eggs for food.
Witness how the newborn turtles are being cared for until they are ready to be released back to the ocean. The wide sandy beaches that exist round the island of Sri Lanka are utilized by several of the marine turtles for laying their eggs. The commonest of these are the Loggerheads and the Leathery turtle while the green turtle is a less common visitor.
Martin Wickramsinghe Folk Museum
Directly opposite the large Confifi Club Horizon hotel, the excellent Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum is inspired by the ideas of Martin Wickramasinghe, one of the most important Sinhalese writers of the twentieth century. A museum showcasing Sri Lanka's traditional culutrre was a dream of this cultural stalwart, though it wasn't realized until after his death. Wickramasinghe together with the giants of Sinhalese literary tradition of the era, W. A. Silva, Piyadasa Sirisena & Munidasa Kumaratunghe played an important role in asserting the values of the Sinhalese Buddhists at a time when the island was in danger of being swamped by European & Christian influences.
The house of Wickramasinghe (the only house spared from demolition to make way for the air base during the Second World War) & the excellent Folk Museum are set in an attractive seven acre garden with labeled trees. The museum houses fascinating exhibits from traditional Sri Lankan life: everything from catching a fish to chasing off malevolent spirits. The exhibits are interesting & well displayed, with information in English & Sinhalese.
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Fishing tools
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Religious items: Buddha statues
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Numerous utensils for treating coconuts
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Carriages (including a carriage pulled by an elephant).
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Numerous tools of traditional industries including rubber collection, toddy sapping & cinnamon gathering
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"Sand boards" trays of sand which were used to practice writing-the Sri Lankan equivalent of a blackboard.
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Agricultural tools, cute wooden & metal cow bells, wooden rattles & bows & arrows used to scare away bird from the paddy fields
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a colourful selection of Dance & costumes, puppets, an excellent collection kolam masks, puppets from the Ambalangoda area
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The museum also exhibits the highly respected Sinhalese writer's personal collection. His family home displays photographs & memorabilia, & some history about the area.
