Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya (ඉබ්බාගල රජමහා විහාරය)

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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.

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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

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