Built by King Walagamba in the 1st century, the main attraction of this cave temple complex is the 38ft tall unfinished statue of Buddha which is carved on a granite rock. It also has a very attractive gateway and its walls are adorned with paintings featuring the Jataka tales. The temple is built using Mahayana style of sculpture and the paintings inside have the influence of the Kandyan era.
Legend has it that the king was in hiding while he built this temple and that is also how the statue of Buddha got left half-complete.
Hidden Gems!
When to go
How to reach
This temple complex is situated on the Bandarawela - Badulla road, some 6kms from Bandarawela town. It is around 25 kms from Badulla town, and the distance from Ella is less than 10 kms as well.
