Namal Uyana and rose quartz mountain Sri Lanka

Namal Uyana, Namal Uyana Sri Lanka, Rose quartz Mountain Sri lanka,Ironwood forest Sri Lanka

Namal Uyana is the largest Ironwood (Namal Tree) forest and the pink quartz mountain in Sri Lanka and in Asia.Namal Uyana is situated in Galkiriyagama area of Anuradhapura district. To get to the Namal Uyana one should come on the road called Adiyagala in Galkiriyagama village, which is close to Madatugama junction. Namal Uyana has around 260 acres of replanted Ironwood forest and the Ironwood tree is endemic to Sri Lanka.

Archeologist believe that pink quartz mountain in this place has a history of more than 550 million years. Naamal Uyana is an extremely rare forest replanted with Ironwood trees in the 8th Century AD commenced during the starting from King Devanampiyathissa and ending with king Dappula IV. Namal Uyana had been a sanctuary for Buddhist monks during King Devanampiyatissa reign in the 8th century. Afterwards Namal Uyana has been used as a prison camp and prisoners had to plant Ironwood trees and take care of them as a punishment. In the time of Kind Dappula Namal Uyana was declared as a human sanctuary. After the times of Kings Namal Uyana was forgotten from people. Namal Uyana was again taken in to limelight by a Buddhist monk venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero.

Namal Uyana is situated in dry zone area in Sri Lanka and the Ironwood trees (Na trees) protects the undergrown medicinal plants and it acts as a shade that protects people from the harsh sunlight when you visit the area.

The botanical name of the Na tree is Mesua Ferara and in English it is called Ironwood. The Na tree or the Ironwood tree is used in medicinal purposes. Because of the great medical and religious value it is named as the national tree in Sri Lanka. The Ironwood tree can be found in India,Malaysia,Burma,Thailand and Papua New Guinea. This Ironwood tree belongs to Namal Uyana is native to Sri Lanka.

The Namal Uyana acts as a biological reserve in the area. According to biological research it has 102 species of tropical plants and 82 of them are herbal. There are around 18 bird species. Apart from that there are number of mammals that dwells in the park which are Elephants, Leopards, Monkey and Deer.

The Namal Uyana is famous not only because of the Ironwood (Na tree) forest but the Rose Quartz mountain range in the forest. This Rose Quartz Mountain is the largest in Asia and in Sri Lanka. Some believe that these rose quarts rocks has been taken in to India in order to build the Taj Mahal in ancient times. The Namal Uyana has been declared as a National Heritage site from the Department of Wildlife conservation (DWLC).Visiting Namal Uyana has become popular among Sri Lankans and Tourists in recent years. There are around seven rose quartz mountains situated around 300 meters from sea level. At an overall view, the top portion appears misty clouded, and with its pink color mixed with the white mist, it will give you a stunning look that differentiates this mountain from others. And if you go deeper to explore the diversities this range of mountains are having it will be an amazing experience.

Apart from the Ironwood and rose quartz mountain Namal Uyana has ancient venerated places that belong to a long forgotten history. These are

• Purana Namal Seya.
• Bodhigaraya.
• Pilimageya.
• Awasageya.
• Simamalakaya.
• Padhanagara.
• Galphana.
• Galpathraya.
• Asanagaraya.
• Sakman Maluwa.
• Pabbatha Viharaya.

Not only being the rose quarts and Ironwood forest but Namal Uyana has a blessing of natural water springs that runs through the forest. Inside the Namal Uyana there is a small waterfall that is about 1000 years old is flows in to a round basin crated from rock and this water has been used by the Buddhist monks who used to dwell in these forest in ancient times.This water stream is divide in to three different paths in the park and flows throughout the park.

Overoll Namal Uyana or the Ironwood forest is a cultural and heritage site mixed with herbal forest of Ironwood with rich biodiversity and it is a must visit place when you are in Sri Lanka.

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