Hakgala Botanical Garden | AmazingLanka.com

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Hakgala Botanical Garden - හක්ගල උද්භිද උද්‍යානය — Hakgala Botanical Garden – හක්ගල උද්භිද උද්‍යානය

The Hakgala Botanical Garden, established in 1861, is Sri Lanka’s second-largest botanical sanctuary. Perched 1,745 meters above sea level, it features a cool-temperate climate perfect for its world-renowned rose and orchid collections. This misty highland retreat offers a picturesque blend of prehistoric nature, diverse flora, and breathtaking mountain vistas.

Entrance Fees and Ticket Prices for Hakkagala Botanical Gardens

Description	LKR
Local Adults	200
Local Children below 12 years and School Children	30
Local Adults over 60 (NIC proof needed)	50
Foreign Adults	3,540
Foreign School and University Students ((Must have satisfactory proof)	2,360
Foreign Children (5 to 12 years)	1,770
Electric Cars (4-seater) – per hour	1,000
Electric Cars (8-seater) – per hour	2,000
Vehicle Parking	charged

(2026 prices)

Electric Cars and other facilities are available only in certain locations and prices may be increased regularly.

Hakgala Botanical Gardens Opening Hours

Open Days	all 365 days
Opening Hours	7.30 AM – 6.00 PM
Ticketing Hours	7.30 AM – 5.00 pm

Themed Sections

The garden, covering approximately 28 hectares, is divided into several specialized sections.

The Fernery: This section is shaded by tall trees and rich in lichens and mosses. It houses a collection of native hill country ferns, most notably the woolly tree fern of Sri Lanka.
The Rose Garden: Hakgala is locally reputed for its rose collection, featuring nearly one hundred species of modern roses established on twin terraced plots.
The Bulb Garden: Opened in 1924, this area displays a diverse collection of Lilium, Watsonia, Gladiolus, and Agapanthus, many of which were introduced from Holland and Japan.
The Arboretum: This expansive area displays a large collection of exotic and native trees, including rare endemics such as Calophyllum walkeri and Syzygium assimile.
The Glass House: A repository for indoor plants, this section features Begonias, African violets, cacti, and various succulents.
Endemic Flora: The garden is unique for harboring rare species like Vanasapu, Mihiriya, and Maharatmal (Rhododendron arboreum ssp. zeylanicum), which adds a distinctive scarlet bloom to the landscape.

Location and Geographical Setting

Hakgala Botanical Garden is situated in the Nuwara Eliya District of the Central Province, approximately 9.5 kilometers southeast of Nuwara Eliya town, along the Nuwara Eliya–Badulla main road. The garden lies at an elevation of about 1,745 meters (5,400–5,800 feet) above mean sea level.

Geographically, the garden spans two provinces. While the greater portion falls within the Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretariat, a smaller section extends into the Badulla District of the Uva Province. It is set against the imposing backdrop of Hakgala Rock, which rises to approximately 2,200 meters, appearing like a solitary giant overlooking the garden. The garden itself is laid out in a series of terraces along the lower slopes, offering sweeping views across the Uva Valley toward the Madulsima and Namunukula mountain ranges.

The Legendary Beginning: Ashok Vatika of Ravana

Long before its formal establishment, the site was deeply rooted in the legends of the Ramayana. Local legend identifies this location as Ashok Vatika, the pleasure garden where Ravana held Sita captive after her abduction.

Described not as a prison but as a serene grove filled with flowering Ashoka trees, streams, and blossoms, Ashok Vatika is also the place where Hanuman is said to have first met Sita, presenting her with Rama’s ring as a token of hope. This mythological association gives the site enduring spiritual significance and places it firmly on the Ramayana Trail. Nearby, the Seetha Amman Kovil commemorates these events.

Colonial Founding and Historical Development

The formal scientific history of the garden began in 1861 during the British colonial period, when it was established as a research station for Cinchona cultivation, aimed at producing quinine to combat malaria. The initiative was led by W. McNichol and later managed by George Henry Kendrick Thwaites from 1868 to 1882.

In 1882, under the curatorship of William Nock, the site was transformed into a public botanical garden. Beyond Cinchona, Hakgala played a role in the early development of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. While initial tea seeds were introduced at Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, some of the earliest successful cultivation trials were conducted at Hakgala. A summer house built in 1910 commemorates J. K. Nock, a later curator.

Botanical Importance and Conservation

Hakgala Botanical Garden serves as a major center for ex situ conservation, housing over 2,000 plant species, including around 500 endemic to Sri Lanka. It plays a vital role in the study and preservation of mountainous flora.

References

Department of National Botanic Gardens. (2024). Annual Performance Report 2024: Department of National Botanic Gardens. Department of National Botanic Gardens.
Abeyawardhana, H. a. P. (2004). Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Kandurata Development Bank, in association with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Department of National Botanic Gardens. (n.d.). Hakgala Botanic Gardens. https://botanicgardens.gov.lk

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