In 2017, mosque tours were held in Akurana, among other events. Nearby is Alawathugoda Saman Devalaya in the village of Alawatugoda; bus route 593/5 connects Kandy and Akurana. These three points of reference give your planning a clear direction: religious history in the town, a named shrine in the surrounding area, and a specific connection to Kandy.
Religious History in Akurana
The mosque tours took place in 2017. If a tour is important to your trip, ask about current dates before including it in your plans. This keeps the distinction in timing clear: the tours are a historical reference, while Alawathugoda Saman Devalaya is a separate religious site in the surrounding area. The comparison helps clarify what your interest is focused on: a tour with a specific date, or the religious and historical context of a named shrine.
Alawathugoda Saman Devalaya
Alawathugoda Saman Devalaya is located near Akurana, in the village of Alawatugoda. The village is in Kandy District and the Akurana Divisional Secretary’s Division. The shrine is a Hindu Devalaya dedicated to the Buddhist god Sumana Saman; Sumana Saman is regarded as the guardian deity of Sri Pada Mountain. The type of shrine and its dedication refer to different religious aspects: the first classifies the site as a Devalaya, while the second names the deity to whom it is dedicated. This distinction makes the description more precise without reducing both details to a single label.
The present-day Saman shrine was built later by a Kandyan king. The description of the shrine therefore includes both its religious dedication and a historical detail about its construction.
The grounds of Alawatugoda Saman Devale were designated an archaeological protected monument by a government notification dated 8 April 2009. The designation covers the old buildings and other archaeological remains on the site. The date refers to the notification and should therefore be distinguished from the historical construction of the present-day Saman shrine. The protected site is in the Alawatugoda Grama Niladhari Division within the Akurana Divisional Secretary’s Division.
Getting to Akurana and Accommodation
Bus route 593/5 connects Kandy and Akurana. Use the route number as a starting point and check the timetable for your travel day before setting off; departure times are what matter for your specific plans. If you are organising your trip from Kandy, take this connection into account when choosing where to stay. This lets you sort through your travel arrangements first and then find suitable places to stay based on your goals.
For hotels in Akurana, check the address of any specific accommodation and distinguish the town of Akurana from the nearby village of Alawatugoda, where the shrine is located. The place name helps you compare the accommodation’s location with your main reason for visiting. This way, Akurana remains the search location, while Alawatugoda appears in your plans as a separate cultural point of reference.
Discover more destinations: Udapussallawa, Hewaheta, Talawakelle, Ulapane, Tawalantenne, Muruthalawa, Gelioya, Katugastota.
For the overview of the wider region: Central Province.
