A modest town with little history or obvious charm, Digana presents itself as a quick stopover for most travelers. You'll find few monuments, buildings, or standout sites here. Beyond its handful of temples, this small settlement appeals for its golf greens, lush natural surroundings, and charming accommodations.

That said, the surrounding region reveals far greater interest. Travelers seeking the island's natural wealth and cultural heritage will certainly find several worthwhile detours around this Sinhalese town. Immerse yourself in an ecological and community experience at Tamarind Gardens! Cruise on the island's largest reservoir and discover the treasures it holds! Venture on an incredible journey as you leave Digana for Kandy. Here, the jewels of this Sri Lankan locale aren't found at its heart, but rather in its surroundings. This journey may become an adventure forever etched in your memory.

A Bit of History

After the old town of Teldeniya was submerged beneath the waters, Digana gained in popularity. It managed to emerge from obscurity thanks to its attractions: in its town center and surrounding areas. Today, it is home to a multiethnic population of around two thousand families.

One of the highlights of this locality's history: the recent declaration of a state of national emergency on March 6, 2018. It had been 7 years since the island had resorted to such extreme measures. And for good reason—this decision aimed to curb violence between local Buddhist and Muslim groups. The spark that ignited this fire was a road accident that led to a confrontation between three young Muslims from the village of Digana and a truck driver named Heepitiyegedara Kumarasinghe. The latter was beaten by the three individuals and succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at the hospital. Despite an amicable settlement of the matter, acts of violence and vandalism resembling racial riots erupted in Digana, Kandy, and Teldeniya on March 5, 2018. Angry Buddhists allegedly destroyed mosques, shops, and Muslim homes. This explains the measures taken by the Sinhalese state.

Digana, Today

Previously, the popularity of Digana village stemmed solely from its dolomite mines and numerous industries. However, times have changed, and the region now attracts visitors for other types of attractions: safer for resident Sinhalese and more respectful of the environment. In two or three days, you can explore all the hidden gems around this village.

What to Do in Digana

This Sinhalese town has few tourist attractions. It appeals mainly for its surroundings. However, you can take time to linger and visit some charming spots, including Buddhist temples (Jethawanarama and Medamaluwa), mosques (Akbar Jumma Masjid and Hijrapura Jumma Masjidh), churches, numerous lodges and hotels, Kandy International School, the Milco dairy factory, the local school, part of the greens and fairways of Victoria Golf Club, and Gonawala Cemetery.

Top Attractions Around the Village

There are three must-see stops outside Digana's immediate area:

The Victoria Golf and Country Resort Course

For precision sports enthusiasts, Digana offers the greens of the Victoria Golf and Country Resort, recently established: built in 1996 and completed in 1999. It was constructed over an old coconut and coffee plantation. It ranks among the world's top 100 most beautiful courses according to Golf Digest. Located along the Victoria Reservoir, it spans approximately 209 hectares.

If the experience appeals to you, you can swing through terrain with various elevation changes. And if you're not an expert with the club and putter, nothing prevents you from strolling along this 18-hole course, 9 of which are playable. It's a walk that promises beautiful landscape views: calm and verdant.

Tamarind Gardens

Here, you'll meet Ayesha and Nalin. They settled on the island about a decade ago. They initiated the Tamarind Gardens community project with the goal of improving local life. It focuses on solving water supply issues in the region around Digana and Kandy. How? By equipping local homes with large black cisterns for water storage. They fund this endeavor and other secondary projects through revenues from local activities and potential sponsorships.

Tamarind Gardens is also an ecological farm and organic vegetable garden planted on the shores of Lake Victoria across 4 hectares. The place invites travelers and vacationers to discover their project, embrace eco-consciousness, and spend a convivial night in one of its minimalist bungalows with lake views. On-site, you can participate in community tasks and agricultural activities, meet villagers, make incense, learn about local crafts, take a tour of Liya Diriya, and more. Add to this an impromptu cooking workshop on typical Sri Lankan dishes, including their famous curry. You'll have the opportunity to taste their delicious homemade cheese, delicate tea, and garden produce: fresh, organic, and served in clay pots! And to finish, a swim in the Mahaweli River proves perfect.

Lake Victoria Reservoir

This is the largest artificial lake on the island. The place offers a calm and peaceful setting. Around it, you'll see various bird species fluttering about: an incredible moment for ornithology enthusiasts. Pair this with a guided pirogue excursion and a hike around the lake to discover amazing local fauna (giant bat, giant squirrel, rat snake, monkeys, deer, etc.). And to finish, you can stop by its grand dam. A view worth the detour.

Around Digana

Before reaching Digana, a visit to the Temple of Dambulla is a must. It's an essential stop for a Sri Lanka trip. And as you leave this village for Kandy, you'll see fabulous places along the way. Notably, the stops to plan include: the famous Temple of the Tooth, spice plantations, the Knuckles mountain range, the Peradeniya Botanical Garden with its orchids, the Malwathu Maha Viharaya Temple, and Kandy's clock tower.

Climate: When Should You Visit?

In Sri Lanka, the climate across the entire island remains fairly consistent. There are no significant variations in temperature and humidity from month to month. Generally, Digana can be visited year-round. That said, here are some guidelines to help you make the most of your stay depending on the climate:

• The best periods to enjoy this village and its surroundings are between January and May. Weather and temperatures remain pleasant. In April, the thermometer reaches its highest point, while in February, it hits its lowest. March remains the driest month. Days are delightfully sunny.
• For more coolness, opt for the period between April and December. Rain won't fail to fall on this peninsula region, especially in October. Here, August is the coolest month of the year.
• Throughout the year, tourist flow varies by season. In spring (March to May), the weather is pleasantly warm. There's little rain and few visitors. It's the perfect time to discover the region freely, and at an affordable price. In summer (June to August), it's high season and foreign tourists' summer holidays. Here, June is always crowded, and local accommodation prices inflate. Throughout, the weather shows good sunshine rates with occasional rainfall. In autumn (September to November), the region empties out due to abundant rain. This means all prices are reduced. And finally, in winter (December to February), tourists return in large numbers to enjoy some warmth and rain.

Within a radius of 1 to 4 km, Digana and its attractions are easily explored on foot, by bicycle, or by traditional Sri Lankan tuk-tuk. Visiting distant sites like Tamarind Gardens requires vehicular transportation: local bus, car with driver, motorcycle, or taxi.

Digana is a locality in the Sabaragamuwa Province, in the southern part of the country. It sits on the A26 road, between Kandy and Teldeniya. More precisely, it lies 11 km west of Kandy and 15 km northeast of Gampola. From the capital Colombo, you can reach this town in various ways:

• By Air

You can board a domestic flight from either Bandaranaike International Airport or Diyawanna Oya Airport. The journey typically takes just under an hour with Cinnamon Air.

• By Bus

You can catch a direct bus from Pettah CTB or Avissawella Station. The road distance is 133 km and takes 3 and a half hours.

• By Taxi
• By Train
• By Rental Car with or without a driver.