Idalgashinna
Idalgashinna (Sinhalese: ඉදල්ගස්හින්න, Tamil: இதல்கஸ்ஹின்ன) is a location in the Badulla District, Sri Lanka. The elevation is about 5,300 feet (1,600 m) above sea level. The famous Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Green Tea are grown in the area. .[1][2][3][4][5] Idalgashinna is located within the Haputale-Namunukula mountain range.
Entrance to the Upland Country
During the British period and before that Idalgashinna was a famous entrance to the upland country.[6] Idalgashinna gap and Haputale gap (1700-1500m) are prominent passes that allow entry through almost impenetrable mountain. Sri Lanka is the country which has most tunnels between the two railway stations. And also these tunnels are at between Ohiya and Idalgashinna railway stations on the way to Badulla.Distance from Ohiya to Idalgashinna is 8.5 km.Between this distance there are fourteen tunnels located.
All these fourteen tunnels are built in 1880's and it has more than hundred years history. They used primary technology to build these tunnels. May be they used man power heavily. Also you can find a gunpowder repository which used to build these tunnels, few distance away from Ohiya station. It has curve concrete shelter and built with strongly.
In addition to these tunnels there are four small bridges in this area. Front shapes of these tunnels are different from each other. From number 22 to 35 are the tunnel numbers for this fourteen tunnels which in road to Badulla.
Number 26 tunnel is the shortest tunnel out of these fourteen tunnels both height and distance. It known as “Wattakka Bingeya” also. There is a bridge in front of this tunnel. Number 29 tunnel is the longest tunnel out of these tunnels. It is 181.09 meters long. Number 23 tunnel is 140.85 meters, number 22 tunnel is 124.39 meters, and number 34 is 120.73 meters long. Number 28 tunnel is 100.6 meters long. Four tunnels out of these are in same length which are number 25, 30, 32 and 35.It is 80.48 meters. Length of other two tunnels that are number 24 and 22 is 40.24 meters 20.12 meters long. Each and every tunnels they have marked the tunnel number and distance in miles from Colombo to that tunnel.
There are no other transports between Ohiya and Idalgashinna other than railway. Between the two sides of railway track there are government forests and nothing beyond that. One cannot find any villages also. By walking between these two railway stations is a dangerous experience.
Schools
- B/ Idalgashinna Tamil Vidyalaya, Idalgashinna[7]
Railway Line
Idalgashinna railway station is located 8 km west to the Haputale. And the elevation is 1615m (5298') above the sea level. The 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge main line between Haputale and Idalgashinna has offers a spectacular view because the land falls away steeply for a great distance on both sides. Both sides of the railway station have panoramic views. The view on northern side running beyond Boralanda, Welimada up to Udu Pussellawa, Hakgala and on the southern side running beyond Beragala down to the coast at Hambantota and Udawalawa Reservoir clearly visible.
Most of the days the station is covered in mist. And it is situated on a mountain ridge, the rain water falling on the roof flows to two major rivers Mahaweli and Walawe.
There are 13 tunnels between the Ohiya and Idalgashinna Railway stations.
References
Coordinates: 6°47′N 80°54′E / 6.783°N 80.900°E