Located at proximity to an ancient world heritage city, Anuradhapura, the Kaludiya Forest is home to numerous archaeological ruins. Embellished in natural splendour and boasting a surreal ambience the patch of wilderness comes in as one of the best sites to see ruins. There is also a lake located at the heart of the forest surrounded by the ruins of a monastery and bathhouses; the lake is named as the ‘Kaludiya pokuna’, meaning black water pond in Sinhala. As the lake is surrounded by trees that block the sunlight from reaching the waters, it appears dark hence the name Kaludiya Pokuna. Also, since the Kaludiya Pokuna is a prominent feature of the forest, the entire region has been aptly named after it.
Travellers will have to partake in a short trek through the forest to visit the ruins and the walk through the wilderness will certainly be a memorable experience. On the way, visitors could also see a plethora of endemic wildlife which includes a slew of vibrantly coloured birds and mammals such as the torque macaque, deer, slender lorries and the purple-faced langur. You can visit the forests and the ruins all by yourself or you can reach out to a local tour operator who will arrange an excursion for you with a guide. If you have planned to visit here alone you can reach the forest entrance by a tuk-tuk either from Dambulla or from Anuradhapura.
