| Year and Month | September, 2013 |
| Number of Days | Two |
| Crew |
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| Guides |
(If you want to contact please send me a message) |
| Accommodation | N/A |
| Transport | Public transport / trishaw / Car |
| Activities | Archeology / trekking / Hiking / Photography |
| Weather | Overcast |
| Route |
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| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Related Resources | |
| Author | Ashan |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Map 1 – Click to enlarge |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Map 2 – Click to enlarge |
Degal hela (Diggalahela) is also known as Rock of Siyambalanduwa. This isolated monadnock was first seen while climbing Govinda hela last year, since then it was a dream for me. Though I found a guide to show me the way the weather was always turning from bad to worse when ever I plan to do so. On a Saturday early morning I met Ajith from 2nd mile post at Siyambalanduwa and proceeded towards Helamulla ancient temple which lies at the base of the mountain where I was introduced to Sena who promised to take us uphill. The weather god’s made sure that a bit of drizzle would make it bit more challenging to us. We curved along the mountain climbing boulders and reached a slope which was not much difficult to tackle and at last we were almost at the top after a one and a half hour hike. The summit has two rocks hence Degal hela(450m). And on one of those there was a ruined pagoda just like all other mountain tops of Wellassa. We walked along the ridge and enjoyed a panoramic view towards Siyambalanduwa. Though it was a gloomy day I did manage to identify many landmarks. Actually one could clearly see Madulsima range, Govinda hela, Wadinagala, Siyambalanduwa, Monaragala, Kotiyagala, Yala, Athimale, Mahakalugolla, Lahugala and potuvil side. We didn’t forget to climb both rocks though it was bit challenging.
For the return route we choose the abyss between the two rocks and this was a tough descend considering the slippery nature of the rocks. I won’t recommend anyone to climb from this route for many reasons. At a half-way point we came to a nice dry and large spacious space covered by a hood formed by the rock. After hanging around a bit we headed in search of a “Gal siyambala” tree. None of the “gal siyambala” trees were spared by local gangs who are doing this in an organized manner. The way they have cut trees there will not be a single tree left for the future generations. It is said that one tree fruits in 10 years or so. We found an untouched tree which we cut offed a small number of braches leaving few for the tree. Collecting Gal siyambala for two hours was a memorable thing for me and even Ajith been a local have never plucked these fruits. We somehow collected about good 2Kg’s before descending towards the base to end our hike.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  450m Diggalhela |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  kissed by the mist a rare sighting at siyambalanduwa |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Crawling along boulders |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a rest before the last crawl |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  ancient pagoda on the summit |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Muthukandiya reservoir |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Buddama,Nape,Wadinagala and west minster peaks |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Kithal hela and kukulamulla range |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Maragala covered with mist |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Helamulla wewa |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  towards yala |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  second peak |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Dombagahawela and monaragala |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  paddy fields and chena |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the cave close to the summit |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  first rock |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  peaks of gal oya |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  on the edge |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Buttala & Wellawaya side |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Lahugala and panama |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  lakes at hulannuge |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  hulannuge taru lengala |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  2nd mile post junction |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Hulannuge and lahugala |
Clik here to view.
pano towards siyambalanduwa
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  window view |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  well balanced rocks |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  resting a bit |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  mission gal siyambala |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  plucking gal siyambala |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the product |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  we plucked 2Kg’s |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  mother nature trying to hide human cruelty |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  De gal hela = two rock mountain |
There are few archeological sites in the vicinity and I have written about them on one of my previous trip reports called Heritage around Siyambalanduwa. Sena had some information of a place which I was not aware about called Weherapudama. This place is a rocky plateau surrounded by civilization with lot of debris of buildings and few rock ponds. Interestingly we found a cave too. My assumption is that this place might have been a monastery once. After thanking Sena for the “manyokka” lunch with “waraka” desert I took off towards Monaragala to end my adventure for the day.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a new type of light post |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  off we go towards weherapudama |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  drainage line |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  view from weherapudama |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  pillar holder |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  bits of bricks |
Day two again it was Siyambalanduwa, for this expedition four of my colleagues from GH Monaragala joined me. Early morning we drove towards 10th mile post of Ampara – Siyambalanduwa road. I think most of you guys must be knowing about Govinda hela which was once a fortress. Ah! We were going to govinda hela but not to climb it but to explore a cave complex called Bingoda which once served the purpose of a monastery. There is a foot path starting just opposite Sarath’s tyre shop which is now covered at few places because the place had been abandoned for 2 years. The ancient road had well placed steps and at some places steps carved on rocks which led towards a cave complex. We at least came across 10 caves with drip ledge inscriptions. And the largest cave had tree tops kissing its drip ledge. The largest cave should be the largest and tallest cave in Monaragala district. We also found a good view point (balum gala) where we sat for a while before leaving this mysterious place behind.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Entering the forest while the rays of the sun tried to creep through |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  mighty westminster abbey |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  beautiful path |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  ancient steps |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  reaching the sky |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  where they once gathered |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  steps covered with leaves |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  ancient lake at the base of the mountain |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the foot path from the lake |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the first cave |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  even the monk was counted |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  another cave |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  its inscription |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  bark mushrooms |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  blent with nature |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  a huge cave |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the largest |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the drip ledge with inscription |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  difficult to get a full view |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  inside the cave |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  another cave |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Kiri mati guhawa |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  නම මසුරං උනාට වැඩ නම් පිත්තල(thanks kasun for the caption) |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  unfinished caves |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  the view from a rock |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  jayanthi lake & pallan hela |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Wadinagala & walasgala |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  said good bye to the cave |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  still together |
After getting to the main road we thanked Sarath and took off towards Damana where we took the Pannalgama road for 10Km’s to reach Ambalam oya reservoir which is said to have the longest bund in the region. After enjoying some stunning scenery we decided to return back and on the way we did stop at Ekgal oya reservoir too.
Though our last destination was Arugam bay we proceeded towards Panama and reached Panama bay where Wila oya meets the ocean. Since it was not safe to bathe at this picturesque location we returned to Arugam bay where we had lunch and nice warm bath though it was drizzling. The gloomy lagoon produced some unusual scenery for us. I also must state that the way Arugam bay hotels (mini) treat locals is very unsatisfactory and you will feel like punching them on the face if you go to a wrong place… we returned back on A4 towards Monaragala at around 6Pm on that day.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Ambalan oya reservoir |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  beautiful ambalan oya |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  wadinagala as seen from ambalam oya |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Ekgal oya reservoir |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  edge of panama |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  panama beach |
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  getting gloomy |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  wow what a place |
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Gloomy arugam bay
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  meeting at the horizon |
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  full of visitors |
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lonely traveler
Thanks for reading!