Nawgala/නැව්ගල (320m)

Nawgala is a rock situated at Galigamuwa in Kegalle district. First I noticed Nawgala when I was at Wakirigala (වාකිරිගල). It’s shape was like a ship and ideal for it’s name. There were telecommunication towers at it’s both end. I was looking at this rock when I passed Galigamuwa on my way to Kandy. The pathway to Nawgala starts just after Galigamuwa town.

Nawgala is seen from Ura Kanda-ඌරා කන්ද

Nawgala is seen from Saradiyel village resort-Mawanella

Ambanpola estate is situated at lower part of this rock. There is a village called Nawgala situated at base of the rock. I climbed this rock as a part of two days trip.
The started time was not suitable for a hike- it was around 12noon. Just after Galigamuwa town there is a concrete road in left hand side towards Nawgala temple. We parked our vehicle at the end of the road and inquired about the foot path to the peak. There was a foot pathway through dry rubber patch to join with well concreted road. This concrete road ends at Nawgala line houses. We followed it and passed line houses as well. Lower part of rubber estate has been removed recently and Boaco made road was noticed. Upper part of Nawgala was an abounded rubber estate but a complex of Dewalaya (දේවාලය). We came across number of Dewalaya and shrines on our way up as well as on the top. First view point was a flat rock situated closer to towers. It was the northern point of the ship.
Nawgala is the view point of Kegalle. Whole Kegalle city can be seen from this end of Nawgala. Uthuwankanda, Alagalla, Handurukanda, Belgoda Mountain, Parape Mountains, Balumgala at Kadugannawa, Wakirigala, Bathalegala, Urakanda, Samasara Kanda and Dolosbage range are easily viewed from this end of Nawgala.

Nawgala closer view

Passing Ambanpola estate

Road to Nawgala line houses

They are clearing lower part of the estate

Nawgala line houses

Foot pathway started

First Dewalaya we came across

A shrine…

Advice

Enjoying the view from first view point

Kegalle town-One of the largest linear city of SL. Play ground of Kegalle Vidyalaya and Kegalle Hospital can be seen.

Zoomed view of Kegalle town

Mighty Alagalla

Handurukanda, Belgoda Mountain and Parape Mountains

Wakirigala, Bathalegala and Urakanda

Wakirigala zoomed

Uthuwankanda (උතුවන්කන්ද) and play ground of Kegalle Vidyalaya is zoomed

Paddies

Valley of Kuda Oya and paddy fields at valley.

Tower at northern end of Nawgala

Surrounding at a glance

Part is Sabaragamuwa and part is North western

Lower part of Nawgala and Ambanpola estate

Ambanpola estate

Towers at Ambepussa

Nearby Kovil

Samasara Kanda. Dolosbage range is seen in right hand side.

Greenish paddies

Three man team

Next view point was situated at middle of the ship just behind another Dewalaya. It provides better view towards Colombo-Kandy road and Galigamuwa, Nelundeniya areas.

Second view point is situated behind this Dewalaya.

Another shrine

Colombo-Kandy road

Paddies at Galigamuwa area

The route we followed to reach Nawgala

Valley of Kuda oya and paddy fields

Tower at the other end of Nawgala

Then we followed the same foot pathway back and reached the first Dewalaya again. There was a nice foot pathway to reach the towers at other end of the ship. This end has a soil view point compared to rocky northern end. There was a nice wooden hut which is ideal for night spent.
We enjoyed the same view from here as well but more towards southern part. There were other foot pathways to reach the top from this side. It was the end of our quick visit to Nawgala/ Ship rock and headed to Saradiyel village resort for our next event.

Towers at southern end

Towers at southern end

Colombo-Kandy road

A factory at Galigamuwa area

Kegalle town and Alagalla in one line

Surrounding view from southern end of the rock

Most probably Balumgala at Kadugannawa

Surrounding view

Bathalegala, Ura Kanda and Samasara Kanda in one picture

View from wooden house

Coming back…

Eatable

Back to Dewalaya

Pre historical paints??

Nawgala in google map.

Thanks for reading