The Hidden Gardens of the Seethawaka Kingdom

Seethawaka Gardens

 Yes, there are botanical gardens in Sri Lanka other than Peradeniya and Hakgala. This one I went to some time back; it sucks right now coz of the rain. Catch them when the sun is shining though and you'll see they're fit for a Bollywood movie.

The Seethawaka Botanical Garden is located in Koswatte, Avissawella on the side of a hill. It's become very popular as a day-trip destination among school children because it is only 1 hour away from Colombo. To get there, you have to pass a lot of tea estates and abandoned factories - the shortest route takes you across Rajagiriya, Hokandara, Athurugiriya, Godagama, Watareka, and Meepe to the Meepe-Ingiriya road. You turn left at Pinthaliya junction and keep going on the Diddeniya-Waga road towards Waga, Labugama, Ilukovita and finally, Koswatta and the gardens.

Colombo-Seethawaka Botanical gardens via Google Maps

Directions couldn't be clearer

You know what? Just switch on Google Maps. :P Also, take your own vehicle and make sure it doesn't ride low. The roads get progressively worse as you get closer to the botanical gardens. 

Roses from the Rose garden

The Seethawaka Wetland Botanical Gardens is just breathtaking. Compared to Pera or Hakgala it's not much, but it's still under construction and it has all the makings of a fantastic botanical garden. We talked to one of the gardeners and she told us that it fell under the purview of the Forestry department and so they didn't advertise it much. On the flip side,  they care more about the plants than the visitors. 

The entrance ticket was LKR 50 when we went. It may have hiked up since. ID's are checked as you go in, and I saw (but did not understand) why as we went in: it was a haven for couples. My boyfriend and I looked out of place with our caps, cameras, water bottles and backpacks. All the other young folk had tuition books in their hands and were wearing ridiculously smart clothes and impractical shoes.

Boulder Garden on top of the hill

Most people also don't wander beyond the impressive lawn and artificial lake you see as you enter. Big mistake. There is a tarred road that leads up into the hill and there is a rose garden and boulder garden on top. There is even a herb garden. Tons of kende trees. The view is, of course, spectacular. 

We spent a good 3 hours wandering along the trails. As we came down, we realized that this place was also popular among couples doing pre-shoots before their weddings. We saw one couple change their clothes three times in that baking hot sun. Bless them.

The gardens have a dining area if you want to take your own food and there are plenty of signs warning against littering. Recently a friend of ours visited the place and said that people had littered everywhere and the gardeners now had to do the job of cleaner as well.

Back when it looked pristine

I highly recommend you go see this little bit of wetland paradise before too many people get at it and spoil it. It's worth the long drive.

(Approx.) Total time taken : 8 hours

(Approx.) Total cost           : >LKR1000 per person (with petrol)

Satisfaction rate               : 4/5

*All pictures are subject to copyright © Asuka Randeniye 2016