Searching for Gala Pita Gala in Kalupahana

Year and Month	2016 March 28th
Number of Days	One day
Crew	02-Kaweesha and myself
Accommodation	It is a part of two days trip. Previous day night at Sandilka guest Balangoda
Transport	Bus, Three wheel and climbing
Activities	Sightseeing, Photography and Archaeology
Weather	Excellent
Route	Balangoda -> Kalupahana -> Gala Pita Yaya Estate -> Gala Pita Gala (ගලපිටගල) -> Kalupahana (කලුපහන) -> Colombo If you want to view only : Haldummulla (හල්දුම්මුල්ල) -> Walhaputhanna (වල්හපුතැන්න) -> World’s end lodge
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Start the journey in early morning. It costs about Rs 200 for the three wheel from Kalupahana to Gala Pita Yaya estate. If you meet estate workers or villagers better clarify the pathway. Wear an attire and hand gloves Better carry a Manna knife No water sources after Gala Pita Yaya estate. Therefore carry a water bottle It would be difficult to go in a rainy day. Leeches may be there in a rainy day. (Refer TV programme) The route may be different from what mentioned in TV programme. We spent about 2 hours to reach there from estate.
	Travel with Chathura-Galapitagala
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Searching for Gala Pita Gala in Kalupahana

Gala Pita Gala (ගලපිටගල) is an unusual rock formation found at Kalupahana area. There are three rocks and largest one on the smaller one is balanced on flat rock surface with small contact. It has been there for thousand years without fallen down. Therefore it is called “Gala+Pita+Gala”(Rock on the other). Also it is called “Hellena Gala” හෙල්ලෙන ගල (Swinging rock). Because one can move the rock by a finger.
We can see structures of a face on this top rock. Prof. Raj Somadewa (Archaeologist) says this face is a creation of pre historical human. There are lots of folks around this. (Refer Derana TV programme)
It has drawn my attention in few times. First in my latest visit to Bambarakanda waterfall. Then we went to closer to World’s end lodge to see this rock in distance.

The photo of Gala Pita Gala captured in my latest visit to Bambarakanda

Facial appearance of Gala Pita Gala- Captured at World’s end cottage

Zoomed view of three rocks and facial appearance of top one

World’s end lodge

Whole area in one photo

Flying eagles

It was in my to-do list and the day came after my hike to Wangedigala (වoගෙඩිගල) in Pambahinna.

We reached Kalupahana around 8am and hired a three wheel to reach Gala Pita Yaya (ගලපිට යාය) estate. Three wheel drivers well know about the place. He dropped us to the road directing the estate. It was a bright day and my previous day target (Wangedigala) was clearly seen.
Gala Pita Yaya estate seems a less functioning estate and got to know resettling under new management. For unknown reason there was nobody in the houses of estates and we had to find the pathway by our self. It was useful to view the video clip of travel with Chathura here.
After passing the estate the pathway laid on the edge of paddy field area and we clarified the way from a villager found in other end of the paddy field.
According to her description, we went through Mana bushes where the foot pathway was traced by recent visitors. (Might be for TV programme) It was a sharp ascend first and at the end reached a place to have nice view of surrounding environment. Again foot pathway was clear through Mana and reached to a Pinus plot where foot pathway was vanished.
It was not difficult to trace the pathway in Pinus plot as Gala Pita Gala was seen in left hand side beyond another Mana patch.
Last section of Mana was disastrous. There was no foot pathway through this stretch and Mana has grown even above my height. Though I wore attire I didn’t have hand gloves. Therefore I had to make our foot pathway by forearms as the front liner. After a number of cut marks in forearms we reached the destination.

View of Wangedigala, Balathuduwa and Gommolliya Kanda

View of Wangedigala-I have been there yesterday

The scenic road towards Gala Pita Yaya Estate

Scenery…..

Gala Pita Gala is circled

Towards Udaweriya and Bambarakanda

Welcome to Gala Pita Yaya estate

It was a brighten day

මාර

Get blessings….

Leaves

We traced the foot pathway in the estate

Foot pathway at the edge of paddy field

Side view of Gala pita Gala

First Mana section and foot pathway there

Nicely marked pathway….

Nonstop snapping….

Pinus patch

The view from Gala Pita Gala was fantastic. It was kind of a view point due to it’s centered placement. I could view Beragala Kanda, World’s end Lodge, Haputhale, Kalupahana area, Wangedigala, Balathuduwa, Gommolliya, Bambarakanda area, Udaweriya and Hortain plains as well.
Few people can spend the time under the rock as well. After spending about hour there we started our return journey. It was not difficult as pathway within Mana was clear at this time.
We were not able to visit Nidangala waterfall (නිදන්ගල ඇල්ල) which is situated closer to Gala Pita Yaya estate.
After having a bath and lunch from nearby double bridge we got into the bus to come home.