Somawathiya National Park, National park in North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Somawathiya National Park sits where the Mahaweli River divides into two branches, with shallow water-filled basins called villus scattered among grasslands and forests. The terrain encompasses wetlands and flood plains that create a varied landscape across the protected area.
The area became a wildlife sanctuary in 1966 and was upgraded to national park status in 1986. This protection preserved the region's wetland ecosystem from development and habitat loss.
The Somawathiya Chaitya within the park houses a tooth relic of Buddha and has drawn Buddhist pilgrims since ancient times. People visit this sacred site to pay respects and connect with their faith in a place of deep spiritual meaning.
The park is best explored through guided tours that focus on wildlife watching and feature elephants, leopards, and more than 75 bird species. Prepare for wet conditions as water covers various depths throughout the year in many areas.
The two river branches of the Mahaweli create a delta system with water-tolerant grasses and specialized aquatic plant communities found nowhere else in the region. This interplay of water and vegetation enables habitats that could not exist elsewhere.
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