Govinda Hela - West Minster Abbey

-
Govinda hela is an isolated mountain situated in the Gal Oya hills area and is a archaeologically important site. We reached here on the way to Arugam Bay and is a nice place to visit

We reached the place around 12 noon and reaching the place was very easy. Govinda Hela is situated close to the A25 highway between Wadinagala and Siyambalanduwa. There is a temple in the bottom of the hill and the journey to the top starts from there. Please talk with the chief monk before leave for the top.
Govinda  Hela  from  A25

Having a villager as a guide will be helpful as the road is bit tricky and the place is not visited much. But we were unable to find any guide but a family of four dogs including two little pups helped us to find the way.
Journey to the top

Our Guides

This place has not been well maintained for a while and most of the ladders and bridges were broken but we were able to reach to a certain level. But the chief monk of the temple said that he wish to renovate them in the near future.


Amidst hardships 



On the way to the top you can experience a really nice forest with no human presence at all and you can hear sounds of birds and monkeys roaming the thick jungle.

Under the Trees

Little guides having a rest

Thick forest covers most of the way and you can see many rocks and caves here and there . Most of the trees have been grown over the road and without our guides we would have never found the correct way. There was a place like a dead end but our faithful guides showed us the way.


Dead end 
Caves


It took us almost 3 hours to reach up to broken ladders with no floor boards. We climbed at least 6 ladders but our guides started howling as they can't climb them.

Ladders with no floor boards 

But we were unable to reach the top due to time constrains but we had a glimpse of a beautiful scenery there . As per the information I heard you can have a magnificent view from the top. My advice is to travel early and bring sufficient water and be mindful of those ladders. Don't forget the guides when you are having a snack.




Chief monk of the temple said that he would like others to visit this place. I also would like to request you not to harm this fragile environment and please enjoy your journey and bring back all the things that you took. 
Location: Govinda Hela, Sri Lanka

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hiniduma Calvary Shrine

-
Image
Calvary Shrine of hiniduma is a very famous church in Galle District. Administered under the Galle diocese it is a holy place for Sri Lankan Catholics. The Shrine is a replica of Calvary mount, Jerusalem where crucifixion of Jesus took place. Shrine is situated in  small hill named Kurusakanda next to St. Anne's Church Hiniduma and Gin River flowing between the church and the Shrine.  Shrine was founded in 1948 by Rev. Fr. Cyril Edirisighe .  He witnessed a wildfire  in the 18 acre land that belonged to the church which included the hill itself. After the fire a burnt tree was the only thing left on the summit resembling a cross. This tree became the first inspiration for the shrine. Soon this shrine was found on the site and in 1954 shrine was identified as a diocesan shrine. Pilgrimage is arranged to travel around the small hill lined with statues depicting cruxification of Jesus in 12 different locations. Top of the hill is marked by a large Cross and a sma
Read more

Elamaldeniya Raja Maha Viharaya - Pitabeddara

-
Image
This is a famous cave temple in Pitabeddara area of Southern Province. The temple is blessed with a scenic environment. Temple and the dewalaya dedicated to Getambaruwa Rajjuru Bandara God is very famous among the locals while most visit the Devalaya alone. The temple is a cave temple situated in a small hillock.  Entrance to the temple contains a dageba and a small bodhi tree and some steps slopes down to a creek flowing between two hills. Another set of steep steps commence from the creek and leads to the cave temple, the Dageba and the Devalaya. How to Reach. Can be easily reached by taking the Pasgoda road from Pitabeddara town. Turn right to Gonbaddala Road at Parahasthenna Junction. Some Notable Places of Interest. Etha Mala Ella  Sinharaja Rain Forest Kanneliya Rain Forest Hiniduma Calvvary Church Getambaruwa Raja maha viharaya Patna View Point Sath Mala Ella  Neluwa Dooli Ella and etc
Read more

Patna View Point Deniyaya- Burusgala

-
Image
Patna View Point aka Burusgala as locals call it is a natural formation in Gin River that resembles a slide. Situated close to Deniyaya town just outside of Sinharaja Rain forest this site attracts many tourists specially on weekends and public holidays. Burusgala is situated in Patna Tea estate and road to Patna View Point is bit tough. You have to walk along tea bushes and climb down upto the place. But it's an enjoyable walk with beautiful scenery. How to Reach You can reach patna view point by taking Enasalwatte Road from Deniyaya. You will have to walk from Patna tea factory. Road is bit narrow and might cause delays due to traffic. Morning is the ideal time to visit as the place gets extremely crowded in noon. Some Notable Places of Interest. Etha Mala Ella  Sinharaja Rain Forest Kanneliya Rain Forest Hiniduma Calvvary Church Getambaruwa Raja maha viharaya Elumaldeniya Raja Maha Viharaya Sath Mala Ella  Neluwa Dooli Ella  and etc Plea
Read more