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Frequently mentioned in reviews: reservoir (17) Kotmale (16) water (15) Reservoir (11) Mahaweli (10) waters (10) ruins (8) power (8) project (7) temples (6)
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  • 5/5 Eranda J. 4 years ago on Google
    This can be considered as an extremely attractive reservoir in the upcountry. There are a lot of viewing points can be seen on either of the reservoir. A lot of historic events have been taken place around this place. Mahaweli Maha Seya is one attractive and religious place around here.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Neranjan W. 2 years ago on Google
    The Kotmale Reservoir which is nestled in the central highlands of the country between hills is indeed a breathtaking view. When watching its cool, clear waters ripple in the gentle breeze which blows across the vast expanse of water, no one would believe that there are many more things to feast one’s eyes on, beneath the tranquil waters. Submerged by the waters of the reservoir are the ruins of many temples and human settlements. In fact, more than 14 tea estates, 57 villages and about 54 ancient temples, among others are said to have gone under water when the reservoir was built. While many of these places do not exist at present, even underwater, some of them still do. Among these, the ruins of the Kadadora Vihara are spectacular, especially the sculptured statues of the Buddha and other deities. However, they are a rare sight and can only be viewed according to the whims of the weather gods. Lying silently under the water, perhaps for years, these ruins which are a nostalgic reminder of the past life in that area, make their appearance only during a severe drought. So, when the scorching Sun has appeased his thirst by drinking up most of the waters of the reservoir, the remains of the human settlements and the ruins of the temples that once saw thousands of devotees walk its floors and pay homage at its altars, slowly emerge, mesmerising those who come to see them. In a severe drought, the bed of the reservoir sometimes becomes bone dry, with the earth cracking up to create a striking design on the ground. Perhaps, some of the villagers whose homes went under water to give birth to the Kotmale dam, reservoir, tunnel and underground hydro-electricity power station, then walk on the reservoir bed, reminiscing the days gone by. Spread across a land area of 2,270 ha, the Kotmale Reservoir which embraces lands from both the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, is nestled between the Tispane and Kadadora hills. The Kotmale Reservoir project was one of the five major projects proposed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme, (AMDP) the country’s largest ever hydro power scheme undertaken in ancient and modern times. Even though preliminary studies were first carried out for the Kotmale project way back in 1961, and again from 1964 to 1968 by the government with foreign assistance, the project did not get off the ground.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 S B. 4 years ago on Google
    Usually it filled up with water. In sunny days when water level goes down, arises the drowned Buddha statue in Kadadora Viharaya which is a very rare sight. The area is very beautiful and well maintained.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Himantha A. 2 years ago on Google
    Kothmale Reservoir is one of the largest and attractive reservoirs in Sri Lanka. It was built in 1985 with the intentions of generating hydroelectricity and using water for irrigation. Kothamale Reservoir is visible when you travel from Peradeniya to Nuwara Eliya on A5 highway. To reach the Kothmale Dam, you have to take a turn from Gampola-Nawalapitiya main road at Ulapane.

  • 5/5 Dilon F. 4 years ago on Google
    The Kotmale Reservoir which is nestled in the central highlands of the country between hills is indeed a breathtaking view. When watching its cool, clear waters ripple in the gentle breeze which blows across the vast expanse of water, no one would believe that there are many more things to feast one’s eyes on, beneath the tranquil waters. Submerged by the waters of the reservoir are the ruins of many temples and human settlements. In fact, more than 14 tea estates, 57 villages and about 54 ancient temples, among others are said to have gone under water when the reservoir was built. While many of these places do not exist at present, even underwater, some of them still do. Among these, the ruins of the Kadadora Vihara are spectacular, especially the sculptured statues of the Buddha and other deities. However, they are a rare sight and can only be viewed according to the whims of the weather gods. Lying silently under the water, perhaps for years, these ruins which are a nostalgic reminder of the past life in that area, make their appearance only during a severe drought. So, when the scorching Sun has appeased his thirst by drinking up most of the waters of the reservoir, the remains of the human settlements and the ruins of the temples that once saw thousands of devotees walk its floors and pay homage at its altars, slowly emerge, mesmerizing those who come to see them. In a severe drought, the bed of the reservoir sometimes becomes bone dry, with the earth cracking up to create a striking design on the ground. Perhaps, some of the villagers whose homes went under water to give birth to the Kotmale dam, reservoir, tunnel and underground hydro-electricity power station, then walk on the reservoir bed, reminiscing the days gone by. Spread across a land area of 2,270 ha, the Kotmale Reservoir which embraces lands from both the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, is nestled between the Tispane and Kadadora hills. The Kotmale Reservoir project was one of the five major projects proposed under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme, (AMDP) the country’s largest ever hydro power scheme undertaken in ancient and modern times. Even though preliminary studies were first carried out for the Kotmale project way back in 1961, and again from 1964 to 1968 by the government with foreign assistance, the project did not get off the ground. Then again another feasibility study was carried out with Indian assistance from 1973 – 1976. Thereafter, taking into account all the proposals from all these studies, the green light was given to commence work in February 1979 under the AMDP. The Kotmale reservoir was to be built, damming the Kotmale Oya which is one of the main tributaries of the Mahaweli River. The harvesting of the Mahaweli waters was carried out with the main aim of generating hydro electrical power to boost the national grid. And by damming the Kotmale Oya at an elevation of 2,100 feet above sea level, the reservoir which regulates a volume of 174 million cubic meters of water, at full capacity, was formed. The dam was constructed with three sluice gates which are opened to discharge the extra waters when the reservoir is at spill level. The crest length of the dam is about 520 meters and the height is about 87 meters. The picturesque Kotmale Reservoir was impounded way back in November 1984 and power generation at the hydro-electrical power station commenced in June 1985. The electricity generated is 206 megawatts. -Amazing Lanka

  • 5/5 S De S. 3 years ago on Google
    One of the largest reservoirs in Sri Lanka. If you are traveling via Kotmale, then it is a must to have a look at hear. It has so much interesting stories.

  • 4/5 Daham W. 6 years ago on Google
    Established in Kotmale,Gampola. In the road to Mawela.One of main water supplying reservoirs in Srilanka. It built by filling up a whole village. Ruins of the village temple still can see when the water goes down in dry season.

  • 5/5 Manjula B. 5 years ago on Google
    Kothmale Oya, the upstream of Mahaweli River was yoked to build Kothmale Reservoir, under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme. Its location is the highest in attitude among Mahaweli Reservoirs. There were many objectives to be achieved by Kothmale Reservoir. Among which the hydro-electricity generation, flood control, stabilizing the water diverted at Polgolla were in priorities. Government of Sweeden supported the project which included the first ever underground power station built in Sri Lanka.

  • 4/5 Raveen J. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful place to visit landscaping are awesome. there is the way to kadianlena falls, st. Claire fall, devon fall and nuwara eliya, hattonThrough the dam .

  • 3/5 Mahesh 1 year ago on Google
    It's closed for tourists for 2 years.

  • 4/5 Gayanath I. 5 years ago on Google
    Very nice place. Open daily for public. Nicely maintained.

  • 5/5 Sithumina h. 9 months ago on Google
    It's a beautiful place . You must go to see this.🇱🇰

  • 5/5 Green P. 8 months ago on Google
    You can't stop your vehicle and look, but you can enjoy the view while riding🤩

  • 1/5 Manjula B. 4 months ago on Google
    We, 12 of my family members visited Mahaweli Maha Seya today. We were staying at a Guest House at Mahaweligama, hence we used most shortest route to Mahaweli Maha Seya through Kothmale Dam by visiting beautiful scenery. Security Officers (Army officers) allowed enter our vehicle (Rosa bus - 20 seater) through the dam by instructing us not to stop until the end of the dam. After two or three hours around 3 pm we return to cross the dam to go to our guest house at Mahaweligama. At that time there were no Army officers instead security guards were there and they didn't allow us to enter to the dam even they didn't care our humble requests. Due to that, we had to use very long route which took 3 & 1/2 hours by waisting our time and money on a rainy day . We really disappointed the action taken by security guards. They could have taken the same action in the morning without wasting our time. We are seeking reasonable action in this regard.


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