Plantation Villa

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Plantation Villa

Plantation Villa is an Ayurvedic Retreat Hotel with organic food, natural spring water wells and a spa situated amidst a large Rubber Plantation.

The hotel includes 22 double rooms with many sit-out areas to enjoy the magnificent gardens and plantations. We have our own organic vegetable and spices garden that provides many of our food choices. Treatment plans may include Yoga and Meditation sessions, Ayurveda treatments with medicated oils and herbal medicines, Doctor consultations to schedule your treatment plans and give guidance on lifestyle changes, food menu designed by our team of Doctors, and extra activities such as guided nature walks, waterfall visit, gardening time, cookery classes, and special talks on relevant subjects such as health, meditation, mind and lifestyle.

03/08/2024

"Is yoga still yoga at all?

In much of our dealings in society today, the value of the individual plays a predominant role. A major reason for Yoga’s increasing popularity is, amongst other things, the belief that it paves the way towards more personal happiness and thereby increases the intrinsic value of the individual.

With such a presumption, are we becoming far removed from what yoga actually wants to convey? Is yoga today even still yoga at all? I’m trying here to re-word the meaning of certain basic concepts - perhaps for someone who might challenge me to explain why I practise yoga at all.

Yoga: we explore emptiness and infinity through the breath to develop a voice of compassion in body and mind.

Asana (bodily practice): we explore the limits of our body, improve its strengths, and address its shortcomings.

Pranayama (breathing practice): we allow the breath to remain gentle; we guide it mindfully into its depths, becoming its student and its friend.

Dhyana (meditation practice): we refuse to allow a judgemental gaze, distance ourselves from our own expectations and remain silent, compassionate observers.

Citta (mind): We discipline the mind to move on from personal suffering to universal suffering so as to enable its spiritual growth.

Let’s try rethinking Yoga"

Beautifully put by R Sriram (yogaweg.de)

07/07/2024

We are happy to be featured at Explore magazine in print and online!

"What it's not is exactly the reason I've made a return visit five years after my first. There are no individually tailored diets, nor guests in designer workout gear. No workshops in finding your inner goddess, no pilates studio, pillow menus or influencers twerking by the pool.

Surrounded by rice fields and palm plantations interspersed with humble village homes, with the dense jungled slopes of Mount Nehinna at its back, Plantation Villa is a rural retreat about an hour south-east of Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo. Guests come here for all kinds of reasons but, generally, to improve their health or practise yoga in a serene environment. I've come for both - to have a mental and physical re-set."

You can read the full text on their website exploretravel.com.au

04/07/2024

From our latest newsletter:

We are inundated with information and access to knowledge has never been more available than it is today. In this sea of information where we drown ourselves today, it may be more important than ever to have opportunities to sit and talk in 'flesh'. Human interactions can provide the essential distinction between knowledge and wisdom.

While we never had so much access to knowledge and information, we can not deny the fact that perhaps we did not develop the same amount of 'living wisdom'. By this we mean the endurance of heart and mind to deal with life and the challenges we face in life, and the meaning that we can find in our activities to thrive and move forward.

In the olden days, the role of a teacher was important because the only way to get knowledge was from them. There was no book or storage of information, so we also needed a teacher, very good memory and attention to remember.

Why not have a little of this feeling again? To be in conversation, to be present. As Jim Rohn said, “Success is a few simple disciplines, practised every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.” But we don't need to only error before getting right, someone can point us the way prior.

With that in mind, we invite you to join some of the talks and counselling sessions from our senior Buddhist monks. Our senior monk from Sri Lanka is here at our UK Center in Hereford and we are having a special event on the 15th July where a senior British monk - Ajahn Jutindharo, will be here giving a talk. If you are interested in joining on the 15th, please arrive between 12-12.30pm for some lunch and attend the talk at 2pm. There is no charge - any donations made will be passed on to the monks' monasteries. We are busy during this time where monks are in residence, so please do email if you are interested and make your reservations.

05/06/2024

Ayurveda arises in the context of India, a few millenia back. There are historical records already by the time of the Buddha (circa 2600 years ago) that he had a close follower who was an Ayurveda physician trained in a systematic way for medicine and lifestyle, administering medicines for him and other members of his contingent. In those days, it was believed that offerings should be made into the fire for the receiving of blessings from the gods, such as rains, good and regular seasons, fertility, health, etc. Ayurveda later transferred this way of understanding the word to the personal level:

"The everyday process of eating is Ayurveda's fire sacrifice, a daily offering of food into the sacred fire of digestion for the purpose of maintaining microcosmic harmony. The 'fragrance' (the chemical constituents) of these food offerings ascends to the brain, where the 'gods' (the various parts of the brain and mind) are nourished. The gods then send the 'rains' (hormones, neurotransmitters, and other metabolites) on to the 'earth' (the body) to make it fruitful. " by Dr. Robert Svoboda from his book Ayurveda: Life, Health and Longevity.

07/05/2024

From our latest newsletter:

Ayurveda states that to be healthy is to be Svastha, meaning to be "established in one's self". The question that follows would be, what is the self? It was not uncommon, in the ways of living of the ancient, to understand that a person is not really what he or she looks like - namely, the body. Maybe more modern people will shrug to the world soul or spirit, while some others will still hold to some form of substance beyond matter. All would probably agree at least that there is something, somewhat "invisible", that we call mind or consciousness.

So which self shall we be established in? It is fair to say that modern humans are more enthralled in the self as the body. Even those that are religious in general would also be concerned with a healthy body, maybe even a beautiful body. While it's clearly advantageous to have a healthy body, to allow only part of our sense of self to become the dictator is a guarantee of future rebellion.

When Ayurveda was the main system of medicine, the idea was that the body should be preserved not only for its beauty and pleasure (which are also valid human experiences) but to allow for the maturation of the mind. What was the view of a mature mind? The development of a perception of the limits of oneself, when confronted with Life (with capital L). Yoga and other philosophies of mind from those days taught us how to keep our selfish thoughts and our obsessions about things at arm's length distance. Believing that everything we think or wish is right and true, was deemed to be a delusion. Meditation was the way to show what exists beyond selfishness.

Spirit was the product of this process. When life now is permeated with meaning and all things seem to have its place. This is the culmination of Svastha, to be established in all three selves, the body, the mind, and the spirit or will. Then Nature or Life will not be seen as something to be conquered, exploited, rejected, or renounced. By then, Nature becomes clear as the self.

29/04/2024

Plantation Villa has its name because generations back it was mainly used as a rubber plantation, like most fertile land in this area of Sri Lanka, where the tree grows well. Part of our ethos has been to remove the aged rubber and reforest the land. We don't simply fill the gaps with pines or other quickly growing trees, which don't make justice to eco diversity, but we look to create a true spectrum of fertility with variation.

In the photo you see our recent purchase of 100 mature trees that will be planted the next days, as part of our conservation and reforesting practices. There are near 50 species only in this lo, which will add to the hundreds already planted.

22/04/2024

We are happy to once more be nominated as Asia's Leading Retreat by the World Travel Awards. For our previous guests who enjoyed our work and would like to support our recognition and continuation, we invite you to please vote on the website:

www.worldtravelawards.com

Thank you!

05/04/2024

From our recent guest Kerstin:

"I planned this holiday a long time, read lots of reviews, checked locations. My expectations were high, but Plantation Villa exceeded. The location is wonderful, lush green, away from touristic mainstream. Food absolutely delicious and tasty. The treatment were relaxing and heavenly Every staff was friendly and helpful. One of my highlights was the Kirtan with the lovely Zuzanka. Thank you Plantation Villa, I loved every moment."

22/03/2024

In honour of our Senior Monk's birthday, who many of our guests have known, at the Plantation Villa we planned to donate a hamper with all the needs of a new mother and baby, to 100 pregnant women from underprivileged backgrounds in Sri Lanka.

As you might know, the economic situation in Sri Lamka has been unfortunate for at least 3 years, which created serious inflation and doers rising. It is a good opportunity to support a newborn and their caretakers, so that their start is less difficult.

The estimated cost of the hamper is £70, but you can donate any amount.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/100mothers?utm_term=KBzbwB5q2

18/02/2024

From our recent guest, Alexandra K:

"I was delighted to come to this place. It is magical in beautiful nature. This is exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries. A peaceful, calm place where everything is organised and you don't think about anything, you just have to let yourself go. The food is excellent, the yoga classes were adapted as needed, and all the staff are lovely. For my part, I needed calm, to isolate myself, to stay in silence, and what I appreciated was precisely the fact that I was left alone, you go to class or not, eat, etc. They don't ask any questions, and the customers are respectful too, just like the place. The place belongs to a family which has its history and its very inspiring. Respect to all those who participate in the well-being of their fellow human beings. Thanks."

06/02/2024

From our recent guest, Elisabeth N:

"What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Spending my days in the tropical forest, nature birdsong. Daily treatments with wonderful professional people.

What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Enjoy any moments. Stay longer, more benefits you have
out of your treatments and special vegetarian food.

Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts, or supported conservation?
Yes, all the local people are involved in the collaboration
with the manager is just wonderful. Great charity projects.

How would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a very new experience for me, and I just loved it, and I feel touched by so many great moments.

Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

5 *****"

26/01/2024

An unique chance to explore Sri Lanka with a tour by Plantation Villa in April. We have put together a holiday that combines days for detox at Plantation Villa Sri Lanka with visits and stays at some of the most beautiful places in the country.

The travels will include sacred temples and sites with guidance and talks by our senior monk, as well as nature and beach days.

Bookings have already begun for the dates in April. Please email reservations@srimal.com for more information!

Address

Wattalaya Watta, Nehinna
Dodangoda
KT12020

Telephone

+94112574270

Website

http://www.srimalplantation.com/

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Our Story

Plantation Villa is an Ayurvedic and Yoga Retreat Centre providing guests with Ayurvedic (ancient asian medicine and natural art of healing) treatments for current ailments, preventive care, weight loss and general rejuvenation and wellbeing through a program of massage therapies, yoga, meditation and a specially formulated diet of natural foods both from our own hotel estate and local farmers. The hotel occupies a 30 Acre land including a working rubber plantation, a natural spring well, a natural water fall and an organic fruit, vegetable and herb garden. The hotel itself includes 18 rooms with many sit-out areas to enjoy the magnificent garden and plantation.