Tucked away along the South Coast of Sri Lanka, is a small enchanting hill seemingly lost in time, watching the waves roll by as it has done for centuries. Sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale, but Rumassala Hill is very much like that and has its own legends and folklore that make it a magical place to visit.
Location
This scenic hill can be found in Unawatuna, located in the Galle district and is ideally framed amidst a backdrop of the Indian Ocean. The Galle city centre is around 5 kms away, while the commercial capital Colombo is roughly 108 kms from Unawatuna. Hotels in the area provide the perfect base from which to set out on your adventures to Rumassala Hill. One such option would be CoCo Bay Unawatuna.
The Legend
Rumassala Hill is steeped in local legend and in fact has its origins in the ancient Ramayana epic. According to the tale, the monkey deity Hanuman was sent on a mission to collect specific medicinal plants found in the Himalayas. Unable to find the specific herbs, Hanuman came up with the ingenious idea to break part of the mountain and carry it back. However on the journey, part of the mountain broke off and fell down; according to folklore this is Rumassala Hill and explains why there are many medicinal plants here as well!
Biodiversity
Rumassala Hill and its surroundings are known for varied biodiversity and when you explore the area that will be plain to see. Of particular note are the many bird species that can be seen here and those interested in spotting these feathery friends can look forward to seeing everything from sandpipers to whistling ducks and egrets to terns. Keep your eyes peeled skyward from time to time and you may even see a white-bellied sea eagle soaring above searching for prey.
The Summit
Once you have made the summit of Rumassala Hill you have some breathtaking views to enjoy stretching out far into the horizon and offering a glimpse of Galle and its mighty fortress by the sea. There’s also a statue of Hanuman in connection to the legend of the hill, while you will also find what is known as the Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist dagoba that lends to the charm of Rumassala.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
