Although a bustling city today, Kurunegala was the ancient capital of Sri Lanka for over 50 years in the 13th century. The city has lost most of its ancient heritage with the urbanization, but most of the temples of the ancient times still remain. Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya ( Ibbagala Cave Temple) is a cave temple that lies in the mid-valley area of the Ethagala Rock. Ibbagala (Tortoise Rock) lies where Ethugala (Elephant Rock) and the Kurumiiya Gala ( Beetle Rock) join together.
The cave image house of the temple is believed to be built during King Buwanekabahu II (1293 – 1302) for the priests who were in charge of services of the sacred tooth relic of Buddha which was deposited in a palace close by.
There is a large rock-cut ‘Sri Pathul Gala’ (footprint of Buddha) in the temple. It is said that king Buwakekabahu built this for his mother since she was too fragile to make the the trip to Sri Pada.
Also See
Map of Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya
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Driving Directions to Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya
The temple lies halfway on to the buddha statue on the top of Ethagala Rock. You can use the stairs cut on to the rock to reach this temple or use the motarable road which lies passing these steps
Route from Colombo to Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya | Route from Kurunegala to Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya |
Via : Meerigama – Central Expressway – Kurunegala Distance : 110 km Travel time : 2.30 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Distance : 1.5 km Travel time : 10 mins Driving directions : see on google map |