Sri Lanka is renowned for the pristine blue beaches, the breathtaking hill country and diverse wildlife. Believe it or not, there’s even more to explore in this paradise island. The country is home to many mysteriously ancient caves and caverns that will fuel the adventurer in you the moment you step in.
Dambulla Caves:
Undoubtedly, the most famous among the Sri Lankan caves, Dambulla Cave Temples also known as the Golden Temples of Dambulla are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also happens to be the largest and the most well-preserved cave in the country, consisting of more than 80 documented caves in total. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of local deities. This is certainly a must-visit destination on your tour to Sri Lanka. Do dress modestly and refrain from taking photographs of the paintings.
Batatotalena Cave:
If you like walking through jungles and discovering secret caves steeped in history, this is the cave for you! This is also known as the Diva Guhava in Buddhist literature and is believed to be the location in which Lord Buddha spent the night after having placed his footprint on Adam’s Peak. This cave shows evidence of human habitation since 32,000 BC. It also happens to be the home of the famous “Homo sapiens Balangodensis” or the “Balangoda Man”. The cave is is located in the Kuruwita area in the Sabaragamuwa Province.
Pahiyangala Cave:
The Fa Hien cave, also known as the Pahiyangala cave is named after the legend of Faxian, a Chinese Buddhist monk and translator who travelled from China to sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka during the 5th century AD. The cave is also considered to be an archeological and paleontological treasure as it contains evidence of human occupation and skeletal human remains from the late Pleistocene era. The cave is located in the remote village of Yatagampitiya, in the Kaluthara district.
Aluvihara Cave Temple:
Aluvihara Cave Temple is where the Buddhist monks initially wrote the Tripitakas, previously preached exclusively by word of mouth. As a result, this Cave Temple holds a historical and cultural significance to Buddhism. The Temple’s original existence dates back to the 3rd century BC, during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. It is now a gallery of antiques, preserving Buddha statues and other artifacts gifted by nearby Buddhist countries like Japan, Siam. China, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Squeeze some time on your trip to Kandy and visit this beautiful cave.
Ravana Cave:
Any history and mythology enthusiasts? We’ve got just the cave for you! The Ravana Cave is historically significant as being the cave where the fabled King Ravana hid Princess Sita after abducting her away from her husband, Rama, from India. Today, the cave remains a testament to the architectural prowess of King Ravana who is thought to have had it connected to a network of tunnels that would lead him to other strategic locations in his kingdom. It is located just 2km away from the town of Ella.
Waulpane Cave:
The Bat Cave in comic books has made us all envious of Batman at one point or the other. Well, Waulpane Cave literally translates to “Bat Cave” and it resembles Batman’s in absolutely no way whatsoever. But, it is still wonderfully mysterious. This cave is everything a wildlife adventurer dreams of exploring. It is recognizable thanks to the presence of speleothems as well as some unique forms of wildlife, such as amphibians, reptiles, and freshwater fish.
Photos sourced from Amila Tennakoon, Michael Shehan
