Bingoda Monastic Ruins at Govinda Hela (Westminster Abbey) – ගෝවින්ද හෙල පාමුල බිංගොඩ නටබුණ්

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Ruins of an ancient monastery at Bingoda at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Govinda Hela, also known as the Westminister Abbey so named by the British is an majestic rocky mountain standing over 350 meters above plains in Monaragala District close to the Siyambalnduwa – Ampara road.  From one angle it resembles the Sigiriya Rock with a shear drop  but from another angle resembles a monitor lizard.

On a side of this massive rock lies ruins of ancient monastic buildings forgotten over time and encroached by the jungle called Bingoda ruins/caves.

To access this unknown monastery grounds in the jungles surrounding Govinda Hela (Westminister Abbey) you need to travel 16.7 kms  (passing 10th mile post) on the Siyambalanduwa – Ampara Road from the Siyambalanduwa junction. The foot path starts in front of a now abandoned building which carries the name Sarath’s Tyre Shop.

The foot path is barely used but granite steps and rock cut steps will guide you to the destination. The total hike is about 1.5 km in the jungle climbing up about 130 m from the level of the main road.

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“The ancient road had well placed steps and at some places steps carved on rocks which led towards a cave complex. We at least came across 10 caves with drip ledge inscriptions. And the largest cave had tree tops kissing its drip ledge. The largest cave should be the largest and tallest cave in Monaragala district. We also found a good view point (balum gala) where we sat for a while before leaving this mysterious place behind.”

Trail Path Download

The abandoned tire workshop where the foot path starts

Entering the forest while the rays of the sun tried to creep through Govinda Hela – Bingoda
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The ancient path towards Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The mighty westminster abbey en route to Bingoda Ruins
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The entrance to the Bingoda Ruins
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Monolithic pillars hidden by the jungle at Bingoda
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Bingoda ruins – massive sky hugging trees
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Rock cut steps of an ancient monastery at Bingoda at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

An ancient lake at the base of the mountain — in Bingoda at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Foot path from the ancient lake at the base of the mountain — in Bingoda at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The first cave you will come across — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Signs of a meditating monk who occupied this forest until recently at the first cave you will come across — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

A basic hearth of the monk — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Another cave where the monk resided — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Still remaining plaster on the cave — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Another cave cave — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Where the pillars were fitted at the first cave you will come across — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Cloth hangers of the monk — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Govinda Hela – Bingoda
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

An umbrella made from a Thal Leaf — in Bingoda Caves at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Another dripledge cave with an inscription – in Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Inside the main cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The drip ledge with inscription — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The main cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Entering the main cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Another dripledge cave with an inscription – in Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Inside the main cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Another cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Inscriptions at the cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Carved symbols — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Another cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Another cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Kirimeti Guhawa at — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Plenty of drip ledge inscriptions — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

More dripledge caves — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

View from the top — Bingoda at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The main cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The main cave — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

More dripledge caves — Bingoda Ruins at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Rock cut steps of an ancient monastery at Bingoda at Govinda Hela
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Also See

• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within 25 kilometers

Travel Directions to Bingoda Monastic Ruins at Govinda Hela (Westminster Abbey)

Map of Bingoda Monastic Ruins at Govinda Hela (Westminster Abbey)

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