A coastal town in Galle district, Ambalangoda masks are known for its extremely evil like masks. The town has been famous for centuries for its devilish masks and devil dances. As creepy as it sounds you will be surprised to find a large number of likers for such weird fancy. Despite it century old dance tradition followed diligently till date; do not assume the place to be remote or village like. Ambalangoda is well connected by rail and road. As a matter of fact Ambalangoda railway station is a major station on the line.
Near the railway station you can find manufactured wooden masks and puppets. There are beautiful paddy fields bordering which are the Kadurutrees, the wood of which is used to prepare the mask. The vibrant color of the masks and the feeling of real wood make these masks unique. They certainly make for an interesting souvenir, memorabilia or return gift. For an artist these masks can be priceless as a gift.
Since Ambalangoda, is known for its masks, there are three different kinds of masks made for three different dance ceremonies:
- Kolam- this ritual is all about mocking stories about Srilankas traditional colonial past
- Sanni- this ritual involvesdevil dancing mask and is used to in a kind of exorcism ceremony to warof evil spirit that have captured a human in the form of long prevailing sickness or something similar.
- Naga Raksha masks is an extremely scary looking mask with ferocious eyes that bulge out and are large in size, a long tongue appearing like blood thirsty hanging out with fanglike teeth and a cobra head completing the appearance of the mask.
Ambalangoda has interesting places worth visiting in your Srilanka tour package, especially the museums.
- Ariyapala mask museum is an attractive museum with its collection of interesting traditional masks. Puppet shows and masks have been popular in Ambalangoda have been famous for nearly ten centuries. The collection of masks and puppets make for interesting watch in Amabalangoda.
- Sailatalarama Vihara is a Buddhist temple located on a hill and is known for its 35 meter long sleeping Buddha statue. Besides a scenic view of the surroundings, the plantations and the lakes too add to the attractions of this place.
- Madu Ganga is not to be missed in Srilanka tour. The river flows along the coastline between Ambalangoda and Iduruwa. A mind blowing boat ride will take you through lagoons, greenery and mesmerizing flora and fauna.
- Ambalangoda beach with its beautiful stretch of sandy beach is situated in the north of the town. The beach is pristine, divine and devoid of any commercial activity. Hence this beach is only for you to look at the beautiful natural surrounding not for any water sports or quick bites.
