Sri Lanka is the island of rock boulders. Groups of granite rocks can be found in almost all parts of the country, only the central hill country has fewer. These boulders play an important role in the nation’s cultural history. They were the locations of forest hermitages and often became richly adorned pilgrimage sites. Sri Lanka hence is also the island of cave temples. But be aware: What is called “caves” in guide books and scientific literature about the ancient Sinhalese civilization, is usually called, more adequately, a rock shelter in other parts of the world. Sri Lanka’s “caves” are indeed semi-caves, covered by an overhanging slab of rock, and half of the sides of such a sheltered room are open. The amount of such caves and the high percentage of rock shelters that were used as dwellings of Buddhist monks is indeed unique to Sri Lanka. This is why they are called “historical caves”. In fact, most ancient temples in Sri Lanka are rock temples or cave temples.
Sri Lankan kings donated wooden huts for the monks close to their cave and transformed the cave from a plain dwelling to a richly decorated shrine room with Buddha statues and murals. Sometimes even stupas were erected inside Sri Lankan rock shelters. In the course of the centuries, many ancient Buddhist caves became indeed splendid temples. The most famous example for this result are Sri Lanka’s largest monastic caves, Dambulla, which is now a World Heritage Site.
Take the opportunity to be a part of this unusual experience of finding prehistoric features on a holiday in Sri Lanka and explore the great history behind Sri Lanka’s caves.
Historic Caves in Sri Lanka
Batatotalena Cave
Located 85km from Colombo at Sudagala, about 5 km away from Kuruwita, has been used as a dwelling place and it dates back over 25,000 years. Buddhist literature states Batatotalena as a sacred place where Lord Buddha rested on his way back from Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak).
Belilena Cave
Located in picturesque area of Kitulgala, Belilena cave is one of the largest caves in Sri Lanka. Evidence shows that this site had a prehistoric human presence as early as 32,000 years ago and some of the unearthed several fossils probably occupied by the Balangoda man has been found here. You may encounter colorful butterflies and hundreds of bats residence in this cave’s cool interior.
Batadombalena Cave
A must visit cave in Sri Lanka! Batadombalena Cave is situated in close proximity to Kuruwita, which is about 90 kilometers away from Colombo. This has been the home of the prehistoric ‘Balangoda Man’.
Waulpane Cave
Waulpane cave is also named as the ‘Cave of Bats’, as hundreds of thousands of bats call it as their home! Located in the astern foothills of the Sinharaja range and renowned for its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites which are approximately 500 million years old.
Mahalenama Cave
Located between Kumana and Lahugala-Kithulana, Mahalenama Cave is a very different cave than others.
Pannila Calcarious Cave
This cave is a home to a wide variety of fishes, butterflies, birds, reptiles and bats. You will feel you step into an underground zoo. The Cave has two main caves situated near an enchanting waterfall. The prehistory of this caves are estimated to be around 500 million years old and has some smaller caves as well containing ancient stalagmites and stalactites.
Andirilena cave
You can visit Andirilena Cave while you are in the southern coast. It is about 4km form Udugama in Galle District. There are two tunnels dividing the main cave and those funnels guide to few more caves.
Ravana Ella Cave
Located about 2km away from famous city Ella. Quite a small cave comparing to other caves in Sri Lanka. History says that this cave is used by King Ravana to hide the Princess Sita same as the Sithapura cave.
Bogoda Cave
The history says that Bogoda Cave has been used by a Sri Lankan king called Walagamba as one of his hide outs from South Indian forces. King Walagamba had many invading from South Indian Forces during the ancient times, so he used this cave as a network to other caves through tunnels.
Pahiyangala Cave
Located about 40km away from Colombo in a village called Yatagampitiya, Pahiyangala Cave is the largest cave in Sri Lanka. This cave is one of the largest natural rock formations in all of Asia. The prehistoric remains of this cave go back to 37 000 years while those were one of the region’s oldest prehistoric human settlements
Sthripura Cave
Located in a village called Kiriwanagama which is 16km away from Welimada. According to the Great Ramayanaya, legend, it is believed that this cave had been used by King Ravana to hide princess Sita who was the princess of Prince Rama of India.
Talk to us at SUNGATE LANKA TOURS and we will arrange a package tour so that you could visit the above mentioned historic caves embedded in the small Island in Sri Lanka but rich in history, traditions and culture spanning over 2500years.
