Ussangoda

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Ussangoda In Sri Lanka

Ussangoda is known for Ussangoda National Park in Sri Lankan and designated archaeological site, situated on the Colombo – Kataragama road near Ambalantota – Nonagama Junction in Hambantota District of Southern Province Sri Lanka.

Location

It is located in the southern sea turtle breeding zones. Ussangoda is a patch of high ground by the sea and spreads over a significant area. Unlike the rest of the land surrounding, it is only covered with grass and a few pockets of pigmy forests. The summit of Ussangoda area pans like a plateau for a significant length.

Geological and archaeological importance

Ussangoda is known for its unusual placement by soil structure, flora, and location. There are many folk stories related to this site which include different takes about the land. General belief is that it is a part of a meteor or a proximity to a meteor hit. The main rationale for this belief is the soils brick-like hard quality with a reddish colour which is unique to this patch of land. Some rocks and soil layers contain what some speculate to be remnants of an extreme heat (that can be caused by an event such as a meteor hit). It is also suspected that the soil has a high concentration of minerals/metals giving its unique colour. In several places, especially by the sea facing areas rocks and soil can be observed clearly having multiple layers usually with distinct colourization. It is however unclear whether these speculations have been tested in any proper scientific study at all.

It can be also noticed that Ussangoda is located geographically closer to another archaeological site "Miniha Gal Kanda", where evidence for pre-historic human existence has been found.

The rock debris has high iron concentration. Magnets attract them.

Legend

There are several legends related to the area. The site is considered a sacred/forbidden ground for general affairs in local lore. One popular belief is that Ussangoda is a ground of the local demi-god "Mangara". Other beliefs range from religiously rooted backgrounds to the unwritten/alternate history related to Ravana. According to Hindu puranas, Ussangoda was one of the landing strips of Ravana's Pushpaka vimana.

Ussangoda National Park

Ussangoda National Park was created in 2010. The objectives of establishing the new national park are providing long term protection for the area's biological, archaeological and geographical values. The park borders the Kalametiya Wildlife Sanctuary in the east.

In Ramayana

It is believed that Ussangoda during the time of Ramayana, King Ravana used this flat hard land to travel on his Pushpak Vimana from one place to another and also he used this place to park his Pushpak vimana. Sand is red and some stones are black and people believe that hanuman came and burnt the land since then the land turned red. Therefore Ussangoda is a strange coastal area which is one of the most famous. Sri Lanka Ramayana places with an area of its lack of trees where the soil is with blackish color.

Also there is another interpretation that during the battle with the Rakshasas, Lord Hanuman’s tail was set on fire which he used to torch parts of Ravana’s empire. Ussangoda is one such barren area where the soil continues to have a blackened and scorched effect. However, the adjoining area has differently coloured soil and has plant life. The soil in this area still has the blackened , burned scorched effect as a reminder of Lord Hanuman’s escapade. Only specific smaller plants were able to adapt to this soil as it is believed as a serpentine rock contains heavy toxic metals.