Spiritual Tourism and Meditation Retreats
If it's your first time here, you might want to look around. Please look at some of our photos or videos. You can stay in the cottages if you only want to stay in Umandawa for a short time. Or, if you have more time, you can look into the packages for spiritual tourism.
Routes to take
Umandawa Monastery is in Melsiripura, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, which is 134 kilometers (83 miles) east of Colombo. Kurunegala is one of Sri Lanka's largest cities, and it is easy to get to by both rail and road. All of the major cities have train service to Kurunegala.
There are buses that go straight from Colombo to Kurunegala (you can check the bus timetable from the main bus station at Colombo Fort). You can take a bus from Kurunegala to Melsiripura, then a taxi from Melsiripura to Umandawa.
In Melsiripura, tuk tuks are the best way to get around. From the airport or Colombo Fort, you can also book a taxi. When you get to the Rawana Asapuwa, the front desk will sign you up for the activities once you get there.
The monks and bhikkuni who make their home in Umandawa use the activities of daily life as a form of meditation. Buddhist monks (bhikkhus) and bhikkuni (geshes) will lead the retreats and participants will work alongside them (mehenin wahanses).
Beginners are typically instructed in Maitri Bavana, or "loving-kindness meditation," and Anapanasathi Bavana, or "breathing meditation," before moving on to Vipassana, or "mindfulness meditation," in which one learns to be present and aware in each moment.
There is complete freedom from the stresses of daily life, and everyone enjoys it. Everything has an impact on its surrounding environment. The practice of mindfulness is integrated into every aspect of daily life, from meals to walks to work to shared meals.
Participants can also stay in the picturesque Manel Asapuwa or Mayurashramaya chalets during the retreats. Triple occupants can enjoy the tree house's special charm by staying in its three beds. With no walls to obstruct the scenery, guests may take in the breathtaking panorama of rice paddies and mountains.
The cottages are trailers that have been rebuilt to sit on a platform over the water. Every cottage in the village can accommodate two people. There are a total of 20 chalets available at Umandawa, and they range from ultra-luxurious to merely plush.
Retreats typically range in length from three days to seven days, but some extend even farther. The monastery furnishes all need. The ayurveda center, offering holistic care for the whole person, can be found in Ravana Asapuwa. The presence of a trained ayurveda physician is also helpful. Tea, coffee, herbal drinks, fruit juices, and refreshments are all available at Digayu Café.
The Digayu Café also serves dinner to retreat-goers each night. The café overlooks the water in Nandana Uyana, where visitors can also go on boat trips. Almsgiving, Dhamma talks, meditation, yoga, and other group activities take place in the Ambalama and Mayurasanaya, which are multipurpose halls.
On a nearby islet is a miniature version of the Great Pyramid of Giza. There is no official religion at the pyramid, therefore anyone is welcome to use the place for prayer or reflection. Daily routines, as well as special events and initiatives, help spread the practice of mindfulness. Galpaya, Madahapola Kanda, Udangaraya, and Alumgala mountain hikes, Hulangala day trips, boat rides and visits to adjoining reservoirs, bird viewing, and spotting wild elephants are just some of the activities available in the area.
The retreat includes trips to local mountain communities and educational institutions. During their time there, students can interact with locals, learn about village life, and provide schoolchildren with much-needed supplies.
To help preserve the planet for future generations, visitors can take part in tree-planting activities. Each retreat is tailored to the individual, can be scheduled at any time of year, and includes lodging, meals, and transportation. Umandawa also facilitates heliport landings for its guests.
There are buses that go straight from Colombo to Kurunegala (you can check the bus timetable from the main bus station at Colombo Fort). You can take a bus from Kurunegala to Melsiripura, then a taxi from Melsiripura to Umandawa.
In Melsiripura, tuk tuks are the best way to get around. From the airport or Colombo Fort, you can also book a taxi. When you get to the Rawana Asapuwa, the front desk will sign you up for the activities once you get there.
The monks and bhikkuni who make their home in Umandawa use the activities of daily life as a form of meditation. Buddhist monks (bhikkhus) and bhikkuni (geshes) will lead the retreats and participants will work alongside them (mehenin wahanses).
Beginners are typically instructed in Maitri Bavana, or "loving-kindness meditation," and Anapanasathi Bavana, or "breathing meditation," before moving on to Vipassana, or "mindfulness meditation," in which one learns to be present and aware in each moment.
There is complete freedom from the stresses of daily life, and everyone enjoys it. Everything has an impact on its surrounding environment. The practice of mindfulness is integrated into every aspect of daily life, from meals to walks to work to shared meals.
Participants can also stay in the picturesque Manel Asapuwa or Mayurashramaya chalets during the retreats. Triple occupants can enjoy the tree house's special charm by staying in its three beds. With no walls to obstruct the scenery, guests may take in the breathtaking panorama of rice paddies and mountains.
The cottages are trailers that have been rebuilt to sit on a platform over the water. Every cottage in the village can accommodate two people. There are a total of 20 chalets available at Umandawa, and they range from ultra-luxurious to merely plush.
Retreats typically range in length from three days to seven days, but some extend even farther. The monastery furnishes all need. The ayurveda center, offering holistic care for the whole person, can be found in Ravana Asapuwa. The presence of a trained ayurveda physician is also helpful. Tea, coffee, herbal drinks, fruit juices, and refreshments are all available at Digayu Café.
The Digayu Café also serves dinner to retreat-goers each night. The café overlooks the water in Nandana Uyana, where visitors can also go on boat trips. Almsgiving, Dhamma talks, meditation, yoga, and other group activities take place in the Ambalama and Mayurasanaya, which are multipurpose halls.
On a nearby islet is a miniature version of the Great Pyramid of Giza. There is no official religion at the pyramid, therefore anyone is welcome to use the place for prayer or reflection. Daily routines, as well as special events and initiatives, help spread the practice of mindfulness. Galpaya, Madahapola Kanda, Udangaraya, and Alumgala mountain hikes, Hulangala day trips, boat rides and visits to adjoining reservoirs, bird viewing, and spotting wild elephants are just some of the activities available in the area.
The retreat includes trips to local mountain communities and educational institutions. During their time there, students can interact with locals, learn about village life, and provide schoolchildren with much-needed supplies.
To help preserve the planet for future generations, visitors can take part in tree-planting activities. Each retreat is tailored to the individual, can be scheduled at any time of year, and includes lodging, meals, and transportation. Umandawa also facilitates heliport landings for its guests.
Stargazing at Umandawa
For those of you who enjoy observing the night sky, Umandawa is the destination of choice because it has the least amount of light pollution. Permit us to throw open the portals for you so that you can start your journey across the cosmos and the Milky Way.
Bird watching at Umandawa
Inviting all those who have a passion for birds to visit Umandawa in order to take pleasure in and learn more about the migratory and resident birds that are native to Sri Lanka. Umandawa Premises offers it all, including a magnificent natural setting and an environment that is kind to the environment.
The Alien Homes
The peak of Umandawa, where alien homes have been built, offers a beautiful vista in every direction, with an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape, including the breathtaking hills and the sun setting in the distance. It is certain that when you get up in the morning, you will feel as though you have been given a fresh start since the four dwellings are designed to perfection around a dome that channels the energy of the universe.
The Cottages
If you wish to spend a day or stay overnight, these tiny cottages are great for melting away your everyday tension. It includes all modern conveniences.
Food as opposed to medicine
At Umandawa, there is not a single non-organic item. Neither fresh vegetables nor paddy are grown with the assistance of any kind of synthetic fertilizer. There is an abundance of vegetation, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers, as well as luxuriant greenery. Also, a part of the scenery is spice gardens as well as fields of ginger.
The Vishnu devalaya
The Vishnu shrine, which is built on a hill, has an important message to spread. Especially notable are Lord Vishnu's ten incarnations, which represent the entire process of the Supreme Lord himself. Pilgrims can participate in daily pujas with advance reservations.
The bus the boat and the mini carts
For those of you who enjoy observing the night sky, Umandawa is the destination of choice because it has the least amount of light pollution. Permit us to throw open the portals for you so that you can start your journey across the cosmos and the Milky Way.
