Thampana Lake is situated nearby to the village Pilessa in Kurunegala – Kandy main road of Kurunegala district and it is a beautiful site surrounded by a range of mountains.
Introduction
The history of this reserve dates back to the King Walagamba Dynasty. Legend has it that King Walagamba lived in hiding near this mountain range and that the King organized his armies for war from here.
Later, the king built a temple here, it is known as Bamba Temple and still it exists.
A pond can be seen on the site of the Bamba Temple and it is said in legend that it was used for bathing by the King and Queen of Walagamba.
Similarly, it is said that King Walagamba made a tunnel through the mountain ridge from this reserve to the Silver Temple (Ridee Viharaya).
It is said that the king secretly came through this tunnel to worship the Silver Temple (Ridee Viharaya), but the tunnel has not been found yet.
It has been found that there are rare plants around this Thampana Reserve, which has a high level of biodiversity.
We can’t visit it whenever we want, only one day in a month.
Thampana Reservoirs and nearby Bamba Temple are allowed to be visited only on Poya days and if you cross the Thampana Reserve, you need to take a special permission.
