The Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella (also called the Bandarawela Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery) is a peaceful, working Theravada Buddhist monastery on a hillside at Kumbalwela, between Ella and Bandarawela. A white stupa, shrine halls with Buddha statues and murals, and wide mountain views make it a calm change of pace from Ella’s busy trails.
Visitors are welcome every day, there is no entrance fee, and monks are often happy to answer questions about Buddhism and meditation.
Plan your visit to Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella
- Entry: free (donations welcome)
- Hours: daily, about 8am–9pm
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
History of Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery is a Sri Lankan monastic order founded in 1999 by Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero. It follows the Theravada tradition with a focus on the Pali Canon and meditation, and has grown into a large network of branch monasteries in Sri Lanka and abroad.
The Ella–Bandarawela branch at Kumbalwela is a relatively new monastery, home to a community of monks, and it welcomes day visitors who want to see a living Sri Lankan monastery or learn the basics of meditation.
Attractions at Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella
- The white stupa: A gleaming hilltop stupa with views over the surrounding mountains.
- Shrine halls: Buddha statues, paintings of scenes from the Buddha’s life and carved woodwork.
- Bodhi tree: A sacred fig tree where devotees make offerings.
- Bookshop: Books on Buddhism, including some in English.
Things to Do at Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella
- Join evening chanting: Chanting is held at around 6pm.
- See the midday meal offering: The monks receive their meal at around 10:45am.
- Learn about meditation: Monks can give basic meditation instruction. For a guaranteed meeting with a monk, contact the monastery a day ahead.
- Enjoy the views: Walk around the grounds and take in the hills between Ella and Bandarawela.
Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Entry: Free; there is no entrance fee. Donations at the shrines are welcome.
- Hours: Daily, about 8am to 9pm.
- Dress code: Cover knees and shoulders and remove shoes before entering shrine areas.
- Etiquette: Keep quiet, don’t touch the monks, and avoid selfies with your back to Buddha statues. Children are welcome.
How Long to Spend at Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella
- Short visit: About 1 hour to see the grounds and shrine halls.
- Longer visit: 2–3 hours if you join chanting or a meditation session.
How to Get There
- From Ella: The monastery is at Kumbalwela, on the Ella–Bandarawela side of town. A tuk-tuk or car takes roughly 15–30 minutes depending on traffic and road conditions.
- From Bandarawela: Take a tuk-tuk or a bus towards Ella and continue by tuk-tuk to the monastery.
- Colombo to Ella: The scenic train via Kandy and Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya) takes most of a day, roughly 9–10 hours from Colombo Fort. By car, allow about 5–6 hours.
- Kandy to Ella: The famous hill-country train ride takes around 6–7 hours. Reserved seats sell out early, so book ahead in high season.
- Buses: Buses link Ella with Badulla, Bandarawela, Wellawaya and beyond, and are the cheapest option.
- Around Ella: Most sights are walkable from town; tuk-tuks wait on the main street for short hops.
Arriving at Colombo Airport? Ella is a long drive away. Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel in Ella.
Eateries Nearby Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella
The monastery has no restaurant for visitors. Ella town has plenty of cafés and rice-and-curry restaurants, and Bandarawela has local eateries and bakeries. Please don’t bring alcohol or eat on the monastery grounds.
Other Attractions Nearby Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella
- Nine Arches Bridge: The famous railway viaduct near Ella.
- Little Adam’s Peak: An easy hike with big views over Ella Gap.
- Ravana Falls: A roadside waterfall south of Ella.
- Dowa Rock Temple: A rock temple with an unfinished carved Buddha, near Bandarawela.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Ella: the monastery is a short tuk-tuk ride from town.
- Get a Sri Lanka eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
The Mahamevnawa Monastery Ella is a quiet, welcoming place to see Buddhist monastic life up close, with free entry, evening chanting and mountain views. Dress modestly, keep your voice low, and ask the monks about meditation if you’re curious.
It makes a peaceful counterpoint to Ella’s busier sights such as the Nine Arches Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak.