Paradise gained at Madhu Ganga
View(s):At the floating fish farm in the middle of the Madhu Ganga off Balapitiya, a 10-20 minute foot massage by dozens of fish nibbling at your
View of the Madhu Ganga resort
toes and ankles is a relaxing way to start a tour of one of Sri Lanka’s largest water bodies.
The Madhu Ganga Paradise resort’s boat tour of 2-3 hours takes visitors to R.S. Wasantha’s fish farm, the 2.5 acre cinnamon island where cinnamon producer G.H. Premadasa earns extra money in demonstrating to groups of tourists how to weave a rope from coconut husk or how to weave ‘cadjan’.
Just before that another stop is the legendary Kothduwa temple where chief priest by Ven. Omanthai Punyasara will give a detailed explanation of the temple and its origins dating back when the kings ruled this country.
Wasantha, whose floating farm was started about 4-5 years ago with wooden platforms resting on plastic cans, receives 80 to 100 visitors on a good day. Many would dip their feet into the water and experience the sometimes eerie and electrifying massage!
Spa at Lotus Villa Ayurveda resort
The Madhu Ganga resort owned by the Lotus Villa group is an ideal transit for visitors to the river cum lagoon. It has seven newly built rooms with modern facilities and includes one family room and a cabana.
At the moment it is a popular 2-3 acre venue for wedding functions and conferences with its main hall accommodating up to 300 guests.
Herbs at the Lotus Villa. Pix by M.A.Pushpa Kumara
Located about one km off the main road near Balapitiya, all the rooms at the resort have a breathtaking view of the Madhu Ganga. “This is one of the best views of the river,” says manager Sunil Hewage.
A few kilometres away at Ahungalla is the company’s Lotus Villa Ayurveda resort with 20 rooms which has been a success for the past 20 years. “We don’t need to advertise this location and often during the season there are over bookings and repeat customers,” said Nilupa Gunawardhana, Human Resources Manager.
Guests at the resort receive the ‘full’ Ayurveda treatment in addition to Yoga and Tai-chi forms of meditation.
Every guest is provided a different menu based on his or her medical needs. No pork or beef is served; nor is alcohol sold except for herbal wines. Visitors generally take the 14-day treatment package.
The resort has experienced Ayurvedic doctors and produces its own herbal remedies, oils and other treatment. It also has a garden full of organically grown vegetables.
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