අලි පිරුණු හෙනන්නේගල (Henannegala)

Year and Month	September, 2020
Number of Days	One
Crew	six + three DWC officers
Accommodation	N/A
Transport	Pajero
Activities	Archaeology, Photography
Weather	Gloomy weather
Route	Chilaw -> Kurunegala -> Dambulla -> Bakamuna -> Hettipola -> Mahiyangana -> Maha oya -> Henannegala -> Maha oya -> Bibile
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Take a bottle of water Do not carry Plastic items (Minimize), Make sure you bring back everything you took. Get permission from the head priest Accompany a DWC officer or Civil defense officer Elephants are everywhere so take “ali wedi” Ware clothes which cover your body Need DWC permission Avoid sunny days
Author	Ashan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread අලි පිරුණු හෙනන්නේගල (Henannegala)

In 2013 for the first time I visited Maduru oya park I was lucky to visit Henannegala cave temple and I was fascinated with its appearance. I wondered if I could climb it but there were few restrictions like the archeology site been a part of the temple and the national park. Last September we were planning another hike but things didn’t go as we expected so we needed alternatives. The DWC officers who were with us suggested that we could hike Henannegala which we agreed with.

The map

Henannegala

We reached the temple and got permission from the head priest before starting to go uphill. while winding around the southern border of the rock one will find a faded path towards the summit. The view was fascinating but once we reached the summit we were not so welcomed by a solo elephant. We waited till he went away so we could explore around. We also noted a cave with water which is the main water source of elephants who roam the summit.

climbing up

first sighting

Maduru oya – Aralaganvila road

Nuwaragala, Ethbedda and walimba

Madulsima range

Kokagala

Hikkagala

Dhanigala

capturing the jumbo at summit

cave with water

water source

The summit provides some fascinating views towards Maduru oya national park and beyond also one could appreciate many mountains of Narakamulla area , Nuwaragala reserve and etc. On a clear day it would provide a lovely sun rise and a sun set.

Kamburagala

giant at Ekiriyankumbura

ulhitiya kanda

Maduru oya

plenty

elusive heavenly cave of Omanugala

summit

crew

Omanugala

Eastern base of rebels

On our way down we met four more elephants which made our task difficult while descending. We were also rewarded with plenty of elephant sightings from the summit on that day. There were lot to see in the temple but I didnt have time to re explore those significant archeological findings. (report on previous visit)