| Nature Trail - The Birth of a Resort ! Kandy Sri Lanka’s proud history of over 2500 years and fascinating diversity in climate , landscape, flora & fauna and rich cultural heritage has attracted travelers from all over the world for many centuries . The first recorded arrival is of Fahien from China in the year 414 AD. Nowhere is this rich diversity more evident than in Kandy and its environs , the charming hill capital and the cultural city. The colonial rulers called it Kandy , meaning ‘a hill ’ in sinhala , the native dialect. The city was born in the 14th. Century and became the Capital in the 16th. Century. Exposing much of Sri Lanka’s culture , this Royal City fell into the hands of the British when the last Kandyan king , Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe was captured in 1815. The Kingdom o f Gampola – Nestled in the mist filled mountain range encircling this beautiful city, looped by gushing waterways feeding the largest river of Sri Lanka the Mahaveli , is the hamlet called Nilamba on the road to Gampola , yet another kingdom of ancient sinhala Kings. Thus, it could be seen that this hamlet has experienced the influence of both kingdoms – Gampola & Kandy in ancient times. Gampola under king Buvaneka Bahu iv in 1344/5 AD records a unique event in the history of Sri Lanka when he shares the sovereignty with his brother, king Parakrama Bahu v as senior and junior at the same time. Though the reign of both brothers was very short and suppose to have ended in 1353/4 , two magnificent works stand to the credit of king Buvaneka Bahu and these are held in high esteem todate. The Gadaladeniya and Lankatilleke Temples known as “ western shrines ” are situated close together on the Kadugannawa – Peradeniya road. The last Sinhala King – Kandy was the only kingdom of Sri Lanka which was never conquered by any Western Power till the British invasion in 1815 . It was ruled for nearly 80 years by a line of Tamil Kings who came from South India . As King Narendrasinghe , the last sinhala King of Kandy died without an heir to the throne , his wife who was a Tamil from India , quoted an Indian Law which permits the queens brothers , a claim to the throne in the event of there being no legitimate claimant from the King’s side . Tamil power in the kandyan royal court was such , it paved the way to bring queens brothers from South India and enthrone them as King of Kandy. An attempt on King’s life at Nilamba – History records that king Narendrasinghe had established a leisure palace at Nilamba . The natural beauty and the strategic location of Nilamba would have prompted the king to select this site to enjoy a break from his tedious routine. According to folklore , the king who had a penchant for entertainment with the opposite sex has had a narrow escape on his life at this leisure palace while engaged in a pleasure hunt. The trek to Nilamba - The peace and serenity that fills the atmosphere as you trek towards Nilamba with each turn unfolding a different visual tapestry, have ascended this sleepy hamlet into a popular tourist destination in recent years. Situated 16 Kms. away from Peradeniya University, the foremost seat of learning in Sri Lanka, a narrow winding road through placid ponds and waterways leads you to this fascinating place appropriately named as ‘Tranquility ’. Atop a vast expanse of high land , covered with shrub type vegetation and surrounded by a large plantation of tea and pinewood, the site of this attractive leisure spot was once a home to several species of wildlife including leapords. Home to Wildlife – Endowed with a rich biodiversity of flora & fauna , the surroundings are abundant with a large variety of medicinal herbs , a multitude of bird species , insects and butterflies. There are also a number of mammal species including the hog deer, wild boar, cocupine, wild cat , mongoose and a large concentration of monkeys. Eagles are a common site in the adjoining pinewood and there are also reptiles and amphibious creatures. Still in the aftermath of a rapid transformation of this site into a fully fledged holiday resort many of the animal species still haunts its vicinity thus making it a truly adventure filled location. Meditation Centre and Nature Reserve - Situated within the ancient kingdom of Gampola , several sites of archaeological importance could still be witnessed within the area to reminiscence the past glory. Hallowed shrines and living monasteries add value and splendor to the very tangible peace that dominate the surroundings. The meditation centre at Nilambe is one such place for those who wish to exercise the mind in contemplation. Highlighting the abundance of variety in nature which is quite unique to Sri Lanka, a tall and attractive monument depicting the inner peace and tranquility espoused in religions is found a few miles away , atop a high elevation . Named as “ Ambuluwawa ” this unique edifice and the Nature Reserve attract thousands of visitors daily to view its grandeur and the biodiversity around. “ Loolkandura ”the first Tea Plantation – The combined effects of high elevation ( over 3000 ft. ) and the salubrious climes (around 24 C ) encouraged James Taylor , a Scotsman and a Sailor by profession to grow the first Tea plantation in Sri Lanka at Lookandura Estate , a few Kms. away from Nilamba. The extent of this debut plantation was 19 acres of mid grown tea and this innovative attempt by Taylor led the way to create a world wide focus on Ceylon Tea in later years, which boldly stand the test of time to date and perhaps many more years to come. Club Lespri - the Birth of a Resort - In this vivid and exuberant backdrop an appropriate abode for nature lovers, researchers, holiday makers, adventuress , wildlife enthusiasts etc. was a dire need . Realizing this deficiency , Lespri Travels & Tours took the initiative in the year 2004 to launch this project at the “ Tranquility Estate ”, Nilamba . Appropriately named to match the scenic beauty and the peace & serenity around , the Club Lespri atop Tranquility offers a paradise for holiday makers. |
| An attempt on King’s life at Nilamba – History records that king Narendrasinghe had established a leisure palace at Nilamba . The natural beauty and the strategic location of Nilamba would have prompted the king to select this site to enjoy a break from his tedious routine. According to folklore , the king who had a penchant for entertainment with the opposite sex has had a narrow escape on his life at this leisure palace while engaged in a pleasure hunt. |
| Nature Trail The Birth of a Resort ! Kandy The Kingdom o f Gampola The last Sinhala King An attempt on King’s life at Nilamba The trek to Nilamba Home to Wildlife Meditation Centre and Nature Reserve Loolkandura ”The first Tea Plantation" |
Gadaladeniya is built of stone and scenically sites on a rock. The seated image of Lord Buddha, lacquered doors, wall murals and carved stone friezes are most attractive. The temple reminds of South Indian architectural influence of the period . The Lankatilleke temple is a magnificent building shining in white against the blue sky in the background. A brick building in 3 stories, it has a peculiar architectural design. Amidst the painted doors of wood and frescoes still bright with their original paint on walls and ceilings in the shrine room is found a superb seated image of Lord Buddha |