Kola Kanda: Eat like a Monk

ANCIENT TEXTS REVEAL that kola kanda dawned in the light of Buddhism. This creamy herbal congee is a traditional meal that is said to promote digestion and lower cholesterol levels. Hence, it’s a preferred breakfast of Buddhist monks. In Sri Lanka, most families cook a comforting bowl of kola kanda to kickstart a healthy day. I chanced upon it during my stay at Jetwing Lake (jetwinghotels.com/ jetwinglake) in Dambulla. This chic hotel with a spa overlooks a small, secluded lake with enormous peaks serving as the backdrop. It is a five-minute walk from Dambulla Royal Cave

Temple and makes for a great base if you’re planning to climb Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress. Subtly introducing me to the yogic way of life, Jetwing Lake made me taste my first kola kanda, a warm bowl of rice cooked in coconut milk and fresh juices of medicinally prized greens. Executive Chef Nihal Senanayake threw light on how they use gotu kola, hatawariya, iramusu, karapincha, polpala, ranawara, and welpenela leaves in the dish. As the soup-like mixture has a peculiar tartness, I was given a helping of jaggery on the side. If we are what we eat, then I might as well eat like a monk!

Kola kanda is a traditional herbal congee that promotes digestion. Right: Jetwing Lake overlooks a small, secluded lake.