Brandigala Exploration - 2016

Brandigala is well known hiking destination situated in Mathale district. A fallen Brandy bottle shape cause to call it as “Brandigala”.It can be seen from Alawatugoda while travelling (on left hand side) on A-9 route towards Mathale. It is about 1130 m in height.

Brandigala Exploration was the 7th hike of the 2016/2017 hike season of the University Explores’ Club. It was held on 26th June, 2016 with crew consisted of 29 hikers. Explorers were gathered around the Science Faculty Premises at about 7.30 a.m. Hikers actively participated to make the preparations needed for the hike. Then the President of the UEC explained the club rules and things that we should follow throughout the journey.

The journey began at about 8.30 a.m. We went to Kandy by bus and then got a bus to Mathale. It was about one hour journey to Mathale. Then we got down from the bus at Matale and we took another bus up to Watagoda. We got off the bus at “Watagoda Temple”.

We had to start our walk from Watagoda Temple and after we proceed little way we passed “Sri Kalagirilen Viharaya”.

Before the exploration began, the President appointed the head and the tail and asked to follow the guidelines. We had to walk along the road across the temple. Then we took a narrow footpath. We walked about 500m along the footpath.There was a bridge. We could see a small beautiful waterfall at the place. We rested for a while in the place.

On our way we could observe colorful flowers, trees and small streams. Through huge rocks and climbing them we were able to reach the top of the rock about 1.30 p.m.

We had our lunch at about 2.00p.m. As usual everyone had the lunch together. We cleaned the place without leaving any traces. Then, the President made his speech. One of the senior member explained about the hill rocks in the vicinity. After the speech was made,according to the UEC manner each one introduced themselves and took photographs.

Then we started our walk again about 2.30p.m. using shortest path.At the end of the steps we could able to reach the village area again about 4.00p.m. We had no more water,we got our water bottles re-filled from the nearby village house on the side of the Brandigala.After refreshing ourselves with cool water we walked.Then we came to the Watagoda Temple about 4.15p.m..

We also had some refreshments there and we left the place after a successful exploration.After that we reached to the one of the senior’s home and we got dinner from there.After thanking them,we started proceed again to science faculty.

Then we reached the Science Faculty premises at about 7.30 p.m. and dispersed happily according to the manner of UEC. It was an enjoyable, scenic hike which proved the wonders of the nature. Brandigala Exploration marked the end of another great hike where explorers gained an unforgettable experience in their lives.