Diggalahela the rock of Siyambalanduwa (450m) and Bingoda cave complex!

Map 1 – Click to enlarge

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 2^nd 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.

450m Diggalhela

kissed by the mist a rare sighting at siyambalanduwa

Crawling along boulders

musrooms

the drop

a rest before the last crawl

last bit

ancient pagoda on the summit

Muthukandiya reservoir

Buddama,Nape,Wadinagala and west minster peaks

Kithal hela and kukulamulla range

Maragala covered with mist

Helamulla wewa

towards yala

drop	second peak

Dombagahawela and monaragala

paddy fields and chena

the cave close to the summit

first rock

peaks of gal oya

on the edge

Buttala & Wellawaya side

Lahugala and panama

the team

lakes at hulannuge

hulannuge taru lengala

2nd mile post junction

Hulannuge and lahugala

life

pano towards siyambalanduwa

framed

kahata

window view

the cave

well balanced rocks

resting a bit

mission gal siyambala

plucking gal siyambala

the product

we plucked 2Kg’s

mother nature trying to hide human cruelty

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.

a new type of light post

off we go towards weherapudama

kema	drainage line

view from weherapudama

pillar holder

bits of bricks

bat cave

Day two again it was Siyambalanduwa, for this expedition four of my colleagues from GH Monaragala joined me. Early morning we drove towards 10^th 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.

Entering the forest while the rays of the sun tried to creep through

mighty westminster abbey

beautiful path

ancient steps

entrance

monliths

reaching the sky

where they once gathered

steps covered with leaves

ancient lake at the base of the mountain

the foot path from the lake

the first cave

even the monk was counted

another cave

its inscription

plaster

bark mushrooms

the lipa

blent with nature

a huge cave

the largest

the drip ledge with inscription

difficult to get a full view

a symbol

inside the cave

another cave

Kiri mati guhawa

නම මසුරං උනාට වැඩ නම් පිත්තල(thanks kasun for the caption)

unfinished caves

the view from a rock

jayanthi lake & pallan hela

Wadinagala & walasgala

said good bye to the cave

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.

Ambalan oya reservoir

beautiful ambalan oya

comron

halted

wadinagala as seen from ambalam oya

Ekgal oya reservoir

beauty

Panama

edge of panama

panama beach

getting gloomy

wow what a place

a lagoon

Gloomy arugam bay

meeting at the horizon

full of visitors

lonely traveler

Thanks for reading!