The Dumbara Valley or the Knuckles Conversion forest is one of nature's wonders. We feel that the top portion of the 2,000 m boundary, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, desires that be expanded to a maximum of 1,000 m. This is because Sri Lanka's mountains have the highest biodiversity values of any peak in the country.

The Manigala Range, another magnificent peak in the Dumbara Valley, is considered one of the most vulnerable locations for biodiversity. The Manigala ridge is 1104 meters high, 750 meters long, and 250 meters broad.

To reach Atanwala, you have to travel from Matale to Rattota town, past the Riverstone Pitawala Pathana, and a short distance to the village of Illukkumbura. The village of Atanwala can be reached by taking a road to the south when traveling towards Illukkumbura for about two and a half kilometers.

Climbers can begin their trek at the lovely Rathinda village, and the trek through the hamlet to the starting site is priceless. Before reaching Atanwala, the oldest communities in the Knuckles Forest are Rathninda and Mahalakotuwa. You can view paddy fields, plantations, and all the rural splendor right next to the true rural life of Rathinda village. This Atanwala community is also served by the Thelgamu Oya.

Manigala, a nearby mountain top, can be climbed in approximately an hour. It is dependent on your level of fitness. The road to the summit is likewise well-defined. In addition, the wind is particularly fierce at the peak of Manigala.

When you reach the summit, you will be unable to take your gaze away from the breathtaking panorama. Manigala's plains are like a natural platform built by nature to see the massive vistas of the mountains. Nature's beauty is at its greatest, and the region is home to a variety of butterflies.

Of course, many European visitors are now aware of the secret located at the summit of Manigala Mountain.

It is a great spot to go to the summit of Manigala mountain early in the morning and meditate for about an hour or two. The capacity to concentrate the mind in a short period and the energy in the surroundings, that is, the universal quality, both contribute.

According to one who tried it in Manigala Ravanathanna, a particular spot where one may meditate, he began concentrating, and after a few seconds all the surroundings were calm, and he could even hear the sounds of birds in the distance.

Ravana's spacecraft (Dandu Monara), which is powered by the addition of universal energy and mercury, will be covered in a separate article, as it is still in the research stage.

It is advised to avoid the months of May to August since they are quite windy and foggy.

The people bring their cattle to the village on a regular basis. It's remarkable to watch how the cows come to the settlement, yet it's nothing out of the ordinary for the inhabitants.

The four directions offer a spectacular picture of the mist, and the mountains add to the beauty. All of the trees on the top of the hill have grown stunted as a result of the severe winds.

At the summit of the mountain, you can overlook the entire Knuckles Mountain Range, including Kalupahana Mountain, in the past, cardamom was grown on Kalupahana Mountain, and to the south, the Thunhisgala rock rises to the heights of the sky. The peak of Thunhisgala hill marks the boundary between Matale and Knuckles. The Duwili Ella Falls, which provide a spectacular vista, is seen below. On the other side Sudugala, Riverston Towers can be seen on a clear day. The area on Manigala's western slope is known as Batadandu Kanda because it is densely forested.

The flight of King Ravana (Dandu Monara) landed on this peak 5,000 years ago, and the location is also known as 'Ravanathenna.' There is a square-shaped section that is thought to represent the entryway of King Rawana's palace. Another mythology holds that this is a location where universal power is focused.

The people believe that the Mountain was Ravana's warriors' bow during the battle of Rama Ravana. As a result, this mountain Dunu Mana Gala was subsequently renamed Manigala.

During the colonial period, ancient people who did not have clocks to observe the time may have looked at the rock and determined the time by the sunshine falling on it. During that time period, there was a big Indian Tamil migration for tea workers and other jobs, and they established colonies in the central highlands. Some villages believe that the word "Mani" means "Time" in Tamil.

Manigala is part of the Knuckles Forest Reserve, and camping on top of the mountain is forbidden. However, there are campsites, rest stops, and surrounding places in and around Rathinda village. Choose a spot where high winds will not disrupt your tent life.

On certain bright days, it's advisable to start the travel early in the morning because the weather warms up around midday.

If you don't know the way, it's best to go with a guide, who can easily find a villager to act as your guide.