Pidurangala Temple Archaeological Site
Pidurangala Temple Main Entrance
Although located very close to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Pidurangala archaeological site is not so commonly visited place.
The gravel road by the Sigiriya leads you to Pidurangala. You can follow the Archilogical department name road
and need to travel around 2 km.
History of Pidurangala flows beyond the 1 & 2 century B.C. Pidurangala was used as a Monastery from those days.
But this place becomes a prominent Biddhist Monastery during the King Kasyapa time ( 477 - 495 AC).
Some believe that Sigiriaya also a Buddhist monastery before the King Kasyapa time.
Once he decided to built his fortress in Sigiriya, he requested the monk to move to Pidurangala and
had contributed lot for the development of it. It is believed that the "Uppalavanna Kashyapa
Giri Viharaya" which was constructed by King Kashyapa was located in the Pidurangala.
Pleases of Interest at Pidurangala Temple ( Site Plan)
There are many archaeologically important places in Pidurangala. The above map ( this picture taken
from Pidurangala archaeological office) show the site layout.
The main places of interest includes ;
1. Old Dageba
2. Chapter House
3. Boodhigaraya
4. Preaching Hall
5. Image House
6. Boundray wall
7. Bikku Residence Building
On the Pidurangala Rock;
8. Cave of the Recumbent Buddha Image
9. Ruins of Dagabas
Ruins at Pidurangala Temple
Remainings of the Boodigaraya, Pidurangala Temple
Many ruins of Pidurangala are located by the road side, opposite the temple and you don't have to do any climbing.
Remaining of the old Dageba,Pidurangala Temple
Remainings of the Old Image House, Pidurangala Temple
Remainings of the Pidurangala Temple Chapter Housee
Pidurangala Main Temple
Pidurangala cave temple is located few steps above the road and few Buddha Statues are located inside.
This cave temple is not large as Dambulla.
The Boo tree and the Aramaya located in a lower level of a cave temple.
Pidurangala Temple Main Cave Temple
Pidurangala Temple Main Cave Temple
Samadhi Buddha Statue
The tiny footpath just by the right side of the cave temple leads you to the Samadhi Buddha statue and seems that was constructed recently.
Pidurangala Samadhi Buddha Statue
The way top to the Pidurangala Rock
The main path towards to the right hand side of the cave temple leads towards the top of the Pidurangala Rock. There are clear steps in some areas, but not always. Anyway the climbing is not that difficult. Once you climb up for 20 minutes, you will reach a complex of caves. There is a 48 feet reclining Buddha statue is located in the main cave. This statue was made out of bricks and plastered with clay and lime is belonging to the King Kasyapa time. It seems this t this place was a old image house but only the lime plastering is remaining.
Buddha Statue at the top of the Pidurangala Rock
Buddha Statue at the top of the Pidurangala Roc
Buddha Statue at the top of the Pidurangala Roc
On the Summit
Buddha Statue at the top of the Pidurangala Roc
View of the Sigiriya from Pidurangala Rock
Once you climbed to the top of Pidurangala rock, you can get a breath-taking view of the surrounding including the Sigiriya Rock.