Quick visit to Olagangala & Kanugolla ancient hermitages

Map of Olagangala – Click Map to Enlarge

Map of Kanugolla – Click Map to Enlarge

Whenever I take my camera with me it will drive me to somewhere interesting and this was one of those days. Since I had some official work on a Saturday which I managed to finish within 2 hours, decision was taken to pay a quick visit to Olagangala(at Mahiyangana). Working in a remote area where plenty of archaeological sites could be found is one of those benefits I cherish. I have seen a name board previously somewhere around 15th mile post on Bibila – Mahiyangana road and was thinking of it visiting this hermitage called Olagangala someday. The provincial tourist board of Uva has done a splendid job by putting up boards all around the province aiding random travelers to notice these places and visit them. And I have been one of those guys

After getting down at the name board I had to walk for about 2km along a calm gravel road shaded by huge dry zone trees until I met a lake just before the hermitage. The hermitage of Olagangala had few newly built buildings and it seemed to be visited by many worshipers and roamed by notorious monkeys . After meeting a head priest and explaining my intentions he was kind enough to let two little monks to show me around since I was all alone. So we started climbing along an uphill path which began close to the “sthupa”. Though the climb was not tough at all (there were rock steps) the extreme heat made things bit difficult for me. The two monks took me to the main cave which once had 21 partitioned “kuti” and the marks on the cave roof justifies the fact. There was along inscription mentioning that it belongs to 3rd king Shiva and it is supposed to be belonging to 2/3 B.C.

starting point at 15th mile post

the board seems like 1000 years old

the road towards Olagangala

Olagangala

Kiriweleddagoda lake

they were mischief’s

the foot path

the monks who guided me

first and main cave with 21 kuti

the inscription – Click Image to Enlarge

statue in the cave

cave view

evidence of kuti

the huge cave

Next we continued uphill until we reached the top of the rock where a vandalized modified “sthupa” could be found. The view from the top is simply great in the sense one can appreciate the mountain range with the famous 18 bends, part of Knuckles range, Sorabora lake, Mapakada lake, Kokagala of Pad’iyathalawa, mountains of Maduru oya and Ulhitiya. We were also lucky enough to have a glimpse of the koth kerella” of Mahiyangana “sthupa” too. After having a good look around we started descending along another path which led us towards the second cave with an inscription saying that it belonged to “Washa thero” and donated by king Shiva. The other end of the cave had a “kutiya” made out of rocks and currently it was not in use. Not so far away there is another “kutiya” with a Budhdha statue where currently a monk meditates but at that particular moment he was not in the vicinity. Within 10 minutes we reached the temple premises from a totally different path. It’s better to ask directions precisely because there are few foot paths around. Also having a little monk to show you around will be a great aid. After getting to the base I was treated with a hot cup of tea, as always monks are kind hearted and will offer you something if they have and I was pleased to have that cup of tea since I was so hungry. After having a short conversation I decided to head back towards the main road though my soul wanted to stay there for few days.

off we go

view from the top

view towards maduru oya and padiyathalawa

towards ulhitiya

dambarawa lake

diyawana oya and sorabora

kokagala of Padiyathalawa

more scenery, couldnt take my eyes off

end of the central hills (18 wanguwa)

Panorama from olagangala

vandalized

they have scribbled on the sthupa too

sakman maluwa

2nd cave with inscription

part of the cave

its inscription

rocks placed together

steps on the rock

modified kutiya

resembling lord budhdhas dushkara kriya process

down we go

Next place of interest was not in my days plan and it was all because of a notice board put up by the Uva tourist board. I had to head back towards Ridimaliyadda and I got down at 8th mile post close to a 3way junction where there was an uphill road. It was only 1km from the main road towards Kanugolla temple but it was a 60 degree climb along a tarred road which was heated up to the extreme. Once you get to the temple you will not find anything fascinating but there is a huge drip ledge cave in the forest behind the “sthupa”. There is a clear path which will take you towards a well cemented fleet of steps leading towards the main cave complex. This huge cave had been recently renovated. Also there were two small rooms in it and one was been redesigning as an image house. There were some scattered bricks to be seen around the corner belonging to past and let to be decayed.

next attraction

fleet of steps

first view of the cave

repaired recently

view of the main compartment

the two rooms

framed

colours were changed a bit

preserved wall

double drip ledges

vandalized by treasure hunters

another kutiya

a drip ledge

Later I decided to get to the top of the cave to find the interesting rock pond encircled by “bo” trees and to do so I had to go around the cave a bit and find the foot path. On top of the rock one can enjoy the unique view towards the hill tops of Elamanna mini worlds end. It’s like looking up from the bottom of the worlds end. After hanging around bit on the slanted rock I descended back towards the temple and inquired about the history of the place and as usual no one knew anything about it. Since I was extremely hungry and panting in thirst had to rush back to the main road to catch a bus towards Bibila where I had a late lunch before departing towards Monaragala. This was one of those days where I went to work and ended up loitering around. Also here are some interesting places close to Mahiyangana which I have visited previously (view Trip Report – Ancient Paradise – Mahiyanganaya) and out of them Naghadeepa RMV is located between Olagangala and Kanugolla on Bibila road.

the pond with bo trees on the summit

madulsima worlds end

panorama towards bibila

used for meditation

owards dehigala and elamanna

wow	must go there someday

view towards bibila

far away mountains of medagama and kotabowa

plenty of paddy

perfect frame

Thanks for reading