An ancient hilltop monastic complex that once housed thousands of monks, with many monks who had also reached enlightenment, Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya is a historic Buddhist temple in Yala. With a history going back to the 2nd century B.C., this ancient temple complex has a host of caves, statues, art and stupas. Nestled 400 feet atop a rocky mountain, the monastery is best seen in the evening due to the hot conditions during the daytime.
This ancient monastic complex is situated in Kirinda and is a popular place to visit in Yala. The top of this rock has been purposely flattened to build the main temple stupa. First built by King Kavantissa around the 2nd century, the monastery received royal attention over the centuries, with many kings adding structures and donating nearby villages for the monks’ sustenance.
The site features many caves, with one estimate indicating around 160 caves. It also features image houses (which hold statues and art of the Buddha), stupas, circular relic houses, and other architectural features. The cave temples feature art that dates back to the same period as the first stupa and two statues of Awalokeswara Bodhisattva, one dressed in royal clothes and the other in simple robes, depicted among its many treasures. Many early Brahmi script stone inscriptions found here further elevate the importance of the site as a historically important sacred monastery.
Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya
Sithulpawwa, Kirinda,
Hambantota
Tel: +9447 2 237 375
Open: Daily 8:30 am – 5:00 pm for visitors
Tickets: Entrance is Free (As of September 2024)