Manikdena: Where forests whisper history

Nestled in serenity Manikdena offers not only history and culture, but also a quiet spiritual charm that lingers long after a visit

- By Sugathpriya Kulatunga Arachchi

At the foot of the Nikula-Lenadora mountain range, which is closer to Dambulla, and hidden among paddy fields and ancient reservoirs, lies Manikdena, a place where myth, archaeology, and biodiversity converge.

Manikdena is a destination that deserves a place on people’s journies at least once in a lifetime. During this sacred Poson season, when pilgrims flock to Anuradhapura or Sigiri-Dambulla, they must not miss the opportunity to add this hidden jewel to their itinerary.

Nestled in serenity, Manikdena offers not only history and culture, but also a quiet spiritual charm that lingers long after a visit.

Legend speaks of a body descending from the heavens, glowing like a jewel, while local folklores echo with tales of kings, monks, and villagers who found solace in its sacred grounds. To walk through Manikdena is to step into a living tapestry of myth, memory, and heritage- an experience that blends the mystical with the tangible, leaving visitors with amasing stories to carry home.

Here is one such story regarding the origin of its name:

When the last arahant (enlightened person) of Sri Lanka, Maliyadeva Thera (monk) passed away, grief weighed heavily upon his sister. Unable to journey far to see her brother’s mortal remains, she remained in sorrow at her home.

When a miracle unfolded

It was then that a wondrous miracle unfolded. From the sky, the body of the departed Thera descended gently to the place where she sat. As she gazed upon it, the body glowed with an otherworldly brilliance-shimmering as though it were made of countless gems. The villagers say that this vision, radiant and divine, gave the land its name: Manikdena.