Hakgala Botanical Garden in Nuwara Eliya

Hakgala Gardens experiences amazing weather as it is located on an altitude of 5,400 feet above sea level. The temperature here ranges between 16°C to 30°C, making it pleasant throughout the year. The place is visited by thousands of wanderers and pilgrims due to its relevance in history. However, months between December to February are the best to explore the enticing beauty of this enormous garden.

So, plan a visit to this beautiful lush garden and experience the astounding beauty of Hakgala Botanical Garden.

History of Hakgala Botanical Garden

Hakgala Botanical Garden in Sri Lanka was established by George Henry Kendrick Thwaites in the year 1861 as an experimental cultivation of Cinchona, a thriving commercial crop of that time. Years later, the tea replaced the local Cinchona, turning the place into experimental Tea cultivation in Nuwara Eliya. According to the famous folktales, this botanical garden was the Ravana’s Ashoka Vatika, where he kept Sita after her abduction. The area was later known as ‘Sita Eliya’ and houses a temple named ‘Sita Amman Temple’. That’s the reason why this Nuwara Eliya Botanical Garden experiences visitors and pilgrims all year round.

Highlights of Hakgala Botanical Garden

Before heading to this magnificent garden, one must surely know the interesting facts about it. Check out the below-mentioned highlights of Hakgala Botanical Garden that lures the Globetrotters to visit this astounding place:

It was established for the cultivation of a medicinal crop called Cinchona, which was later replaced by Tea. In the year 1884, the place was turned into a garden that houses numerous subtropical and tropical plants. The place is believed to be the modern-day Ashoka Vatika, one of the beautiful gardens of Ravana, the villain of the legendary Indian folktale ‘Ramayana’. According to the locals, the Hakgala garden was a pleasure garden gifted to Sita by the demon king Ravana, after her abduction. The garden was gifted with an intend to lessen her sorrow amidst the panoramic beauty of this place. The surrounding area of this garden is known as Sita Eliya, proving the legend a reality. There is a temple of goddess Sita within the premises of this botanical garden. The place experiences a peak of visitors during the local spring season when it features a varied range of roses and orchids.