Hiking the Rose Quartz Mountain

About 25 kilometers from Sigiriya lies a remarkable mountain range composed of rose quartz, known to be the largest deposit of its kind in Asia. Mining here is strictly forbidden, as the area falls within a protected nature reserve. Surrounding this small mountain range is the Jathika Namal Uyana, a vast ironwood forest that holds the distinction of being the largest man-made forest in South Asia. Scattered throughout the forest are the remnants of a Buddhist monastery dating back to the 3rd century. Historical records suggest that, in ancient times, dangerous criminals sought refuge at the monastery. The resident monks instructed them to plant ironwood trees as a form of atonement for their misdeeds. Over the centuries, the monastery was abandoned, yet the ironwood trees continued to flourish, creating the dense forest that stands today.