Kabella Lena Cave Temple lies on the Kurunegala – Putlum road closer to Wariyapola town. if you travel from Kurunegala, you will find the sign board pointing to the turn off about 300 meters before Variyapola Junction. Turn right from here and just after passing the 3rd km post you will come across this temple.
This temple has been built during King Vattagamini Abaya (104 BC, 89-77 BC) popularly known as King Walagamba. The Len Viharaya (cave temple) is situated at the middle of the rocky mountain. After
climbing the rock, the first thing you see is a beautiful natural pool but sadly not properly maintained. Then is the main Image House which is supposed to house one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in the country. But unfortunately This was locked and the priest was not there.
Passing the Image House and the Bo Tree, a unique set of sculptures can be seen at a higher elevation of the rock. Using a natural cave, 8 figures has been sculptured depicting the King Devanampiyathissa meeting the Great Mahinda Thero in 250 BC. These larger than life sculptures seems to be of recent origin.
Move towards the edge of the cliff, the view is stunning. The whole plane is covered with coconut trees and and the far end a breathtaking mountain range.
Walk a little further and you come to the main attraction of the temple. It is the Suniyam Devale which attract most of the people to this site. The deity Suniyam (‘Suniym Deiyo’) is considered a powerful deity capable of placing curses on other people. ‘Kapurala’, the the keeper of the Devale will carry out soothsaying on certain days.
Other names : Kebella Lena – Keballa Lena – Kebelle Lena – Keballa Lena
Also See
Map of Kabella lena Cave Temple
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
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Travel Directions to Kabella Lena Cave Temple
Route 1 from Colombo to Kabella Lena | Route from Colombo to Kabella Lena |
| Though : Ambepussa – Kurunegala Distance :125 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Though : Chilaw (Halawatha) Distance :145 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions : see on google map |
