Udawattekele & Garrison Cemetery

This reserved forest and sanctuary borders the old town of Kandy on the eastern side behind the temple of the Tooth. Till 1815 it was exclusively reserved for royalty and out of bound for others. The Sinhalese name was Tahansikale meaning forbidden forest. It contains primeval forests and some endemic species in its actual much reduced state of 207 acres. Many streams flow out of this forest.

The Eastern Redoubt

This was a part of the British military station and barracks called Fort McDowell with an extent of 2 acres found behind the Garrison Cemetery.

Temples and Hermitages

The cave behind the old palace is called Senkadagala Lena. Rama Viharaya forest hermitage is found in one corner of Udawattekelle.

The Garrison Cemetery

The older cemetery was mainly a military burial ground. It belonged to the Episcopal church society. Members were allowed to purchase blocks for burial of family members.

One of the most famous tombs is the broken fluted masonry column with a marble tablet that dominates all others belonging to Sir John D’Oyly. He was responsible for the fall of the Kandyan kingdom and later was made the British government agent of the Kandyan provinces.

Another imposing tomb belongs to general John Fraser. His wife and children are buried here too. The tomb of Elizabeth Gregory, wife of Sir William Gregory, Governor of Ceylon (1872-1877). The cemetery contains 163 tombs and an interesting fact is most of them died very young.

Duration of visit: ½ day.