PURANA GAMA
Recreated ancient village for future generations
Anuradhapura is one of the biggest conventional tourist destinations in the country and is the most adored living heritage city of Sinhala Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It has become a central hub for both Sri Lankan religious travellers and foreign travellers to explore the surrounding area. It is the home of preserved ruins, renovated great Buddhist shrines and massive man-built rainwater reservoirs. The human settlements around the great reservoirs had created new subcultures amongst the main Sinhala rural order and traditions.
‘Nuwara Kalaviya’ was a newly created settlement in Anuradhapura district nourished by the three lakes: Nuwara Wewa, Kala Wewa and Padaviya Wewa, where the concept of traditional village doctrine was stretched out in an early epoch of the 19th century. This new sub culture was created by the people from the Kandyan kingdom, who escaped the harassment and suffering under British rule in Kanda Udarata.
This dying culture is now re-created in Nochchiyagama, Anuradhapura as ‘Purana Gama’
(Ancient Village), the latest tourist attraction. Set up in an eight acre plot of land, ‘Purana Gama’ is the brain child of B. Chandrasiri, the creator of the Award winning Forest Rock Garden Resort, Anderawewa.
‘Purana Gama’, opened in June 2018, is a reincarnation of old Sinhala village culture in the present time as a tourist Resort.
‘We created this village to offer the traditions and day to day rural life experience to outsiders of the country as well as, to Sri Lankans, who have never experienced such a lifestyle’ said B. Chandrasiri, Managing Director of the Purana Gama Project.
‘Purana Gama’ features twelve traditional village houses from Korale Gedara, Aarachchi Gedara, Govi
Gedara to Guru Gedara. All housing units comprise two rooms with all modern amenities including A/c, and en suite modern bathroom.
'The only up stair house is Korale Gedara, the village headman’s house: it has three rooms. All houses have been built with traditional Lankan architecture using clay to cover the walls. Housing units are according to the respective livelihoods of the house owners’ explained
Priyantha Udayakumara, the Manager of the 'Gama'.
'Wadu Gedara', 'Hetti Gedara', 'Badda rala Gedara', 'Wele Gedara', 'Redi Gedara', 'Devol Gedara', 'Yak Gedara', 'Ridee Gedara' and 'Nekath Gedara' are the rest of the housing units with two rooms each totalling 24 luxury bed rooms.
‘Our staff wear traditional uniforms- redda, hette and sarong and even guests are encouraged to wear sarong and other traditional clothes. The guests would be picked up in bullock carts at the reception and taken to the Gama’ Priyantha added.
The main restaurant is named ‘Kada Mandiya’ including 'Tea Kade', Roti Kade and 'Bath Kade’ are open sky and interior dining areas. Kamatha, Ambalama, Kadamandiya, Pinthaliya and Pansala are other traditional entities connected with the village.
‘All kitchen utilities, restaurant and dining items are made with traditional clay. A typical village pola,
fish market and tea kiosk, too are created along with other traditional themes to take guests' minds back to the ancient era’ Manager Priyantha said. Cuisine is strictly traditional Sri Lankan food and
‘Village Ammes’ cook the authentic ‘Nuwara-kala -viya’ food so that guests can enjoy and discover the secrets behind the preparations.
'We serve only authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and I am sure some of the dishes are not experienced or even heard of by Sri Lankans. Kurakkan Thalapa and pittu with lake fish, traditional rice with polos and mixed kola mellun and thibbatu, manioc with kochchi are some of the popular dishes’ he added. 'Our intention was to up-hold our primitive, native and traditional hamlet concept while fostering nature. Our effort to offer this concept to the future generation flourished as ‘Purana Gama’' said MD Chandrasiri.
Apart from experiencing the heritage aspect of 'Purana Gama', it is surrounded by history and religious attractions. Purana Gama is just 40 to 60 minutes away from Wilpattu, Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. Kala Wewa, Avukana, Ritigala, Hurulu Wewa Park and Thanthirimale are just one to
two hours' drive.