Enquire

    Dhowa Rock Cave Temple

    A Guide to Exploring this Ancient Temple

    A famous Buddhist temple in Ella, Dhowa Rock Cave Temple, is an ancient site with a mysterious history dating back over 2,000 years. This historic temple features a 38-foot statue and a rock cave with ancient Buddhist art and is frequented by visitors from all over Sri Lanka. The cave was a former refuge for King Valagamba, who hid in the cave complex while fleeing Anuradhapura from South Indian invaders. Although famous as Dhowa Temple, the temple’s original name is Kumbatissa Ariyagala Vehera, and it was named after the chief priest who provided refuge to the King.

    Highlights
    • The Jataka stories are painted in the Kandyan style
    • The Image House is located inside the 12-foot cave with artefacts.
    • The 38-foot incomplete Buddha statue carved into the rock cliff
    • The Ornate gateway entrance
    • The White Stupa

    In addition to adventure, treks, and tea plantations, Ella has many cultural sites to explore. Dhowa Rock Cave Temple is the most famous and closest to Ella, just 7km away.

    King Valgamba, a resilient king who was the ruler of Anuradhapura in 103 B.C., had to flee the city after just six months on the throne due to a rebellion and an invasion from South India. Many famous cultural sites around the island reference King Valagamba, who hid in various caves and jungles throughout the island during his hiatus until he reclaimed the throne. The most popular sites include Abhayagiri Dagaba, Dhowa Cave Temple and Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. King Valgamba reascended the throne in 89 B.C., ruling till 77 B.C.

    The unfinished Buddha statue on the rock cliff is believed to have been commissioned by King Valagamba and, interestingly, is done in a Mahayana Buddhist motif. The temple cave is whispered to be part of a large underground complex linked to Nildiya Pokuna and Ravana Cave, which are many kilometres away and believed to be part of King Ravana’s ancient underground network of palaces and dwellings.

    Our Favourites

    The Image House

    The cave contains numerous colourful murals and paintings of Buddha. The entrance to the structure is guarded by two statues, one with an elephant in its mouth and the other with a bull. The guardians are believed to be two demon leaders named Watuka and Kuvera.

    The Buddha Statue

    The 38-foot Buddha Statue is partially incomplete and believed to have been commissioned by King Valagamba. Built upon a granite rock cliff face the staute is attributed to the Mahayana Buddhist art style. Akin in style to the Buddhist statues at Buduruwagala, the tallest single rock Buddhist statues in the world (after the Bamiyan Statues in Afghanistan were destroyed), Buduruwagala is about an hour from Ella.

    The Cave Temple Paintings

    The cave temple is colourfully painted with Buddhist art heavily influenced by the Kandyan style. It features many stories from the Buddha’s past lives before enlightenment, known as “Jataka Stories.”

    The cave’s ceiling is also painted end to end and adorned with lotus, other flowers, and astrological chart symbols. Also featured is a battle between a tusker elephant and a bull known as the “Ath-Gon Satana”.

    Location and Hours of Operation

    It is located in the village of Dhowa, on the Badulla-Haputale A7 main road.
    Open Daily: 8 am – 6 pm (avoid full moon poya days as religious observances take place)
    Tickets: Entrance is free, but feel free to donate to the temple (Current information as of September 2024)
    Tel: +94572228630

    Speak to Our Concierge
    Telephone
    +94 76 757 8865
    whatsapp
    +94 76 757 8865
    Address
    2D,
    Inner Bagatalle Road,
    Colombo 03,
    Sri Lanka.

      instagram-1.svg
      @slhoneymoonguide
      Enquire

      Error: Contact form not found.