Ambuluwawa Temple

Last Updated On March 25, 2022

Ambuluwawa, located in Gampola, Kandy, is a biodiversity complex and Sri Lanka's first multi-religious center. There is a tall freestanding tower resembling a stylized Buddhist stupa, a Hindu Kovil, a Muslim mosque, and a Christian Church in this Trigonometrical Station. The tower rises to a height of approximately 48 meters (3567 feet) that you can reach the top of the fairy-tale-looking Ambuluwawa tower with its crooked Burton-esque staircase. Then you can experience the most amazing 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, forests, rivers, and towns. Sometimes the view can be covered by the continuous mist.

Photo from asiamysterious

Ambuluwawa Biodiversity

The Ambuluwawa Mountain is roughly 3560 meters above sea level and is a reasonably easy trek that provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, forests, rivers, and villages. It is incredibly diverse, with evergreen forests, blossoming flower plants, creepers, and around 200 different plant species from 80 plants species, including various medicinal plants.

Piduruthalagala from the east, Bible Rock (Bathalegala) from the west, Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) from the south, and the Knuckles Mountain Range from the north surrounds Ambuluwawa. Aside from these mountains, numerous other mountains can be seen, adding to the area's attractiveness. The Hanthana Mountain Range, Hunnasigiri Mountain, and mountain ranges related to Algalla and Kadugannawa are among these. Because of this, there is pleasant mountain air throughout the area. The Ambuluwawa Hill and its surrounding forest have been declared as the Ambuluwawa ICC Forest Reservation.

When was the Ambuluwawa tower built?

Ambuluwawa peak has a historical background as well. During King Buwanekabahu IV's reign, this peak was the center of his Gampola kingdom in the 13th century. However, there is little historical or archaeological significance in this area.

ambuluwawa tower

Photo from travelright.srilanka

How to get to Ambuluwawa

Take the Colombo – Kandy Road from Kandy and continue via Peradeniya and Gelioya till you reach Gampola. You can also use the train to get to Gamopla town. From Kandy, take a train to Nawalapitiya, get off at Gampola. To go Ambuluwawa biodiversity complex, take the Ambuluwawa ICC Road. The journey from Kandy is only about 26km, but it takes an hour due to the last few kilometers from Gampola, which make their way up the mountain. The road is fine and you can go by your vehicle to the top of the mountain. You can also choose public transport service, but you can't get close to Ambuluwawa Tower. Else you can take a tuk-tuk from Gampola town too.

The drive from Gampola city is a pleasant, well-carpeted twisting road up the hill. Because the road width is fair, huge vehicles can easily pass each other. Keep an eye out for larger vehicles, such as buses. Allow them enough room to complete their turn at hairpin curves. As you continue up the mountain, breathtaking views beyond the cliff edge will give you goosebumps. The last stretch of road isn't fantastic, so park at the parking lot and take a tuk-tuk for the last kilometer or so. Of course, you could walk from here, but it's hilly and scorching by late morning.

Climb Ambuluwawa Tower

The mountain's most prominent feature is the beautiful Ambuluwawa tower that rises 48m (160 feet) above the mountain. It's a little wacky and looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss novel. You may climb an internal stairway from the tower's base that takes you roughly a third of the way up and off onto another viewing platform with fantastic views. If you're feeling brave and not afraid of heights, the stairs continue up the tower, this time winding their way around the outside, becoming narrower and more rickety as they come closer to the top. The width of the stairs narrows to roughly 12 inches on the top section, and the tower's walls tilt outward, requiring you to lean out and over the barrier.

How long does it take to climb Ambuluwawa Tower?

Depending on your fitness, it takes about 1.5 hours to climb Ambuluwawa Tower. Hiking of Ambuluwawa temple is not dangerous, but the elderly and kids are not recommended to climb to the top, and it would be an adventure for those who fear heights. You must avoid leaning on the railing to capture photographs, especially at the top, as it is extremely risky because one could easily slip off from there.

If you wish to fly photography drones in here, you must take permission first.

Ambuluwawa Temple Opening hours

Ambuluwawa Tower is open from 8.30 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. for visitors. It is open on Poya days too. Sometimes 11.00 A.M. to 2.00 P.M. is quite busy because most visitors choose this time slot.