Pidurangala Cave Temple

Description and is it worth a visit

1.5 km north of the property Sigiriya is the cave temple of Pidurangala. Its construction dates back to the V century AD and belongs to King Kasyapa I (Kasyapa I, ruled 473-495). it was intended for the residence of monks resettled from Sigiriya during the construction of the future Palace.

The pidurangala complex itself is located within the mountain, and its structures are on several tiers-platforms connected by a stone staircase with about 500 steps. Passing through the main gate you will find yourself on the first platform, where the Bo tree grows and there is something like an administrative building, where the entrance fee is paid. Then - the next platform with the cave temple itself, in which statues, images of the Buddha and his followers, frescoes. On the right side of the temple, a stone staircase leads up and passes rock niches, which previously had monastic cells and meditation rooms. Already almost at the very top there is another rock niche with a statue of a reclining Buddha 12.5 m long, made of red brick.

If you go around the statue on the left side and climb up, moving on huge boulders (there are no stairs here) and even through crevices, which only the desperate and in good physical shape can do, you can climb to the very peak of the mountain and see stunning views of the surrounding area and Sigiriya.

Pidurangala Cave Temple-not so famous among tourists, and therefore little visited. You can advise him if you have enough time, because you need to allocate about 1-2 hours to inspect the temple with a climb to the top. The ascent itself, when compared with the ascent to Sigiriya, is more difficult, because the route runs through a dense forest, and the staircases in some places are not in very good condition. But, as a result, the pleasure of visiting this low-tourist place will outweigh all the difficulties of the climb.

Photo Of Pidurangala