Ashok Vatika better is known as Haggala Botanical Garden Sri Lanka

Posted on by Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

Most Travellers, who book Sri Lanka trip from India do not fail to visit the Seetha Amman temple and Haggala botanical garden/Ashok Vatika. Haggala botanical garden is not just another botanical garden for Hindus. The garden has a very prominent place in the Hindu religion. Haggala botanical garden was named as the Ashok Vatika in Ramayana written by Valmiki and included in most Sri Lank road trips organized for travellers coming from India.

Different parts of Sri Lanka are popular for different areas or subject. In fact, economic contribution to the country of each region differs from each other. Sri Lankan has its own unique method of dividing the island into few regions as blow (even though it is not official),

If you Have a multi-day Sri Lanka tour itinerary like 10 days Sri Lanka tour or 14 Days Sri Lanka tour, it is highly possible that you touch all regions mentioned above. However, if you have time constraints, you can easily book short trips such as 1 day Sri Lanka trips from Colombo important to tourist attractions of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s hill country

In this blog post, we are discussing one of the most important tourist attraction which is located in Sri Lanka’s upcountry. Sri Lanka’s upcountry offers a wide range of tourist attraction such as tooth relic temple, Ashoka Vatika or Haggala botanical garden, Tea plantations, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and many many more. Perhaps Sri Lanka’s upcountry has the most fascinating blend of tourist attractions from historical places, to wildlife reserves to cascading waterfalls.

Every mountian resort of Sri Lanka such as Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Haputale, Bandarawela, Ramboda ais part of Sri Lanka’s upcountry. These healing resorts are full of green-capped mountains, Tea plantations, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, patches of forests, parks, gardens and various other beautiful places.

Hindu religious monuments of Sri Lanka

Even though Sri Lanka has a large number of historical monuments all across the island, most of these historical monuments have a very strong collaboration with Hinduism. Very historical monuments are attributed to other religions such as Hinduism and Christianity.

Majority of the few dozens of Hindu historical monuments on the island are scattered in Sri Lanka’s upcountry and northern and eastern part of the island. Most historical Hindu monuments found on the upcountry are closely related to Ramayana and Ashok Vatika or Haggala botanical garden is given a prominent place among them. Therefore, Haggala botanical garden or Ashok Vatika is an essential part of every Sri Lanka Ramayana tour.

Ashok Vatika rightly was known as Haggala Botanical Garden Sri Lanka

Haggala botanical garden is the most enchanting garden in the island of Sri Lanka and it is a must visited places during your Sri Lanka tour. If you visit this beautiful garden, you will understand that I am not exaggerating! A visit to Haggala botanical garden turns out to be more than beautiful flowers and plants.

Hinduism and Ashok Vatika

Most Hindu travellers coming from India do not fail to explore the Haggala botanical garden. Haggala is not just another botanical garden for Hindus and it has religious and historical importance. Haggala botanical garden was named as the Ashok Vatika in Ramayana written by Valmiki and included in most Sri Lank road trips organized for travellers coming from India.

Haggala garden is beautifully landscaped using the natural levels of the mountainous terrain and there are beautifully shaped plots for different types of flowering plants and trees. Ferns and many other huge trees fill the view above, while beautiful flowers such as roses and dahlia with various types of croton add beauty to the undergrowth. Unlike the other two botanical gardens in Sri Lanka Haggala is popular for its flowering plants and it is the most striking feature of this beautiful garden.

History of Haggala botanical garden

The beginning of Haggala garden is going back to the early 1800s. As Sri Lanka was under the British administration, they have used gardens as a testing ground for cinchona cultivation. Later it was developed to a beautiful garden with the introduction of many species of tropical plants and trees. Haggala has the highest elevated position among all botanical gardens in Sri Lanka and it is located on the southern slope of the central mountain range commanding an awe-inspiring view over the low lying area.

Climate and vegetation

Being a botanical garden, located about 1800 meters above sea level; it has a unique climate with very low temperature. The climate here shows some similarities to the cloud forest conditions. The garden is engulfed by mist often especially in the evening and early morning.

It has a very similar climate to Nuwara Eliya and I feels like it rains here more often than in other parts of the mountains. It had been raining very often in the garden as we were there, each occasion only a couple of minutes then follow a brief period of dry weather. It is highly recommended to carry an umbrella or raincoat if you visit the garden.

One side of Haggala botanical gardens is flanked by a forest reserve.  An overwhelming number of fern trees is a striking feature of the gardens. The garden is full of captivating beautiful flowers at any given time of the year and it is one of the main reasons for its popularity among the travellers.

Travelling to Haggala garden

Haggala botanical garden is one of the most popular natural tourist attractions not only in the mountains but also in the whole country.  It is conveniently located bordering the Nuwara Eliya- Wellawaya main road and it is just 30 minutes drive from Nuwara Eliya. Therefore it attracts a large number of travellers, who spend their holidays in the resorts such as Nuwara Eliya, Diyatalawa and Bandarawela.

If you are heading to Hagagala botanical garden/ Ashoka Vatika from Colombo, there are multiple Sri Lanka travels routes as follows,

  1. Colombo, Awissawella, Hatton, Haggala botanical garden
  2. Colombo, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya, Haggalabotanicla garden

Haggala is a very popular picnic spot among the local travellers and it is a very suitable place to relax and even to have a meal. If you wondering, where to buy the beautiful flowering plants of Haggala, just head on to the Shops and stalls flanked along the main road opposite the gardens, they have an interesting collection of flowering plants and trees found in the garden. Toys, clothes, food and drinks, vegetable and fruits are also sold in several shops here.

Why should you book your trip to Hagagal with Seerenidipity

Seerendipity Tour is an entirely locally owned travel company with a head office in Colombo. The highly experienced local staff is a key strength of Seerendipity Tours, and they can plan your dream holiday to Sri Lanka.

The best price guaranteed for you srilanka 5 days trip

When you book a tour with us, you directly book the tour with the local company, which means there are no middlemen and therefore you can guarantee the best price. Simply get in touch with us and let us know when you travel and what you like to see.

Plan your best srilanka 5 days trip with expert

Our staff makes a personalised programme for you, which you can change until you find the best package for you. You can also browse our existing tour packages for inspiration; all our ready-made tour packages are customizable and can be tailored to meet all your expectations. Write to us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, tel. 0094-77-440977, WhatsApp 0094-77-4440977

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