Minneriya City

Minneriya, located in Sri Lanka, is renowned for Minneriya National Park, a biodiversity hotspot and home to a large population of Asian elephants. The park's centerpiece is the scenic Minneriya Tank, attracting wildlife enthusiasts and providing a stunning backdrop for nature safaris.

Things to do from Minneriya

Minneriya Lake

Minneriya Lake is a large, man-made reservoir located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is situated near the town of Habarana and is part of the Minneriya National Park, which is renowned for its rich biodiversity. The lake itself is a key water source in the region and is famous for its association with the annual gathering of wild Asian elephants.

History

Minneriya Lake was constructed during the 3rd century AD by King Mahasena as part of an irrigation project to improve water management and agriculture in the region. It is an ancient reservoir, designed to store water for farming and to combat droughts.

Minneriya National Park

The lake is located within Minneriya National Park, a protected area that spans 8,889 hectares. The park is well-known for its wildlife, including elephants, leopards, and a wide variety of birds.

Elephant Gathering

The lake is famous for the "Minneriya Elephant Gathering," one of the largest congregations of Asian elephants in the world. This spectacular event takes place annually, usually during the dry season, between July and September, when the elephants come to the lake to drink and bathe. Hundreds of elephants, both wild and from surrounding areas, gather here, creating a remarkable sight.

Ecological Importance

The lake and surrounding park are crucial for local wildlife, offering a rich ecosystem for numerous species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. The surrounding area has a mix of dry zone forest and grassland, providing a variety of habitats for the creatures that live there.

Tourism and Activities

Minneriya Lake attracts tourists, especially wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers. Visitors can take safaris within Minneriya National Park to observe the elephants and other wildlife, as well as enjoy birdwatching and nature walks around the lake.

Overall, Minneriya Lake is an important cultural and ecological landmark in Sri Lanka, both for its historical significance and its role in preserving the natural habitat of Sri Lanka's wildlife.

【LK94009067: Text by Lakpura™. Images by Google, copyright(s) reserved by original authors.】

About Polonnaruwa District

Polonnaruwa is the 2nd largest city in north central province in Sri Lanka. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO Polonnaruwa has a great history of conquest and struggle behind it and rightfully forms the third element in the Cultural Triangle. Located about 140 kms north east from Kandy,Polonnaruwa offers hours of endless pleasure for history and culture lovers, as there are numerous sights of significance.

Much of the physical ruins standing today are credited to King Parakrama Bahu I who spent many royal resources on town planning, including parks, edifices, irrigation systems and so on. The period of his rule is considered a golden age where the kingdom thrived and prospered under a visionary ruler. The Parakrama Samudra is a mammoth tank and named after its patron. The popular kings Royal Palace, the Audience Hall encircled by beautifully carved stone elephants and the Bathing Pool reflect the superior engineering capabilities of the time.

About North Central Province

North Central Province which is the largest province in the country covered 16% of total country's land area. North Central Province consist two districts called Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapure. Anuradhapura is the largest district in Sri Lanka. Its area is 7,128 km².

North Central Province has numerous potentials for Investors to start their Businesses, especially Agriculture, agro based industries and Livestock sectors. More than 65% of North Central Province's people depend on basic Agriculture and agro base industries. NCP also called "Wew Bendi Rajje" because there are more than 3,000 medium and large scale tanks situated in the province. Sri maha bodiya, Ruwanweli seya, Thuparama dageba, Abayagiri Monastry, Polonnaruwa Rankot wehera, Lankathilake are scared places in North Central Province.

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