According to an ola leaf manuscript at the Kottimbulwala Rajamaha Viharaya, this temple had existed even before the time of King Wattagamini Abhaya (89-77 BCE) better known as King Walagamba. When he was defeated in 104 BCE, among the caves he was hiding and assembling an army, he was hiding in the surrounding caves of Lendora, Kanduwela as well as in this cave.
At the site known as Tomb of Pussadeva rest the remains of a small Dagoba, erected on a square base with a side length of 34 feet. This circular Stupa boasts a perimeter of 60 feet. While there are no additional remnants visible in this location, the archaeological significance of this site should not be undermined.
Located in the village of Pimbura in the Ratanpura District, Kukuluwa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient cave temple that had been lost to time. It was rediscovered in the jungles of Pimbura in 1892, where two caves nestled on the rocks had served as habitats for various wild animals.
At the entrance of the Devalaya building on the lower parapet wall lies a curious sculptured stone from the Portuguese era which portrays a Portuguese soldier with a brandished sword trampling a Sinhalese soldier. The defeated warrior is believed to be Ratnayake Muniyanse, the custodian of the gold stores of the Maha Saman Devalaya who demolished the church inside their fort and killed many Portuguese soldiers. However, some believe this to be warrior Kuruwita Rala.
Karandana Gal Lena Viharaya lying 3½ miles off Ratnapura-Ingiriya road was one of the remote sites which helped the priests hide from the brutality of King Sitawaka Rajasinghe. Karandana Gal Lena Viharaya was used by Rev. Karandana Devarakkhitha Thero who received from his mentor Guananda Thero. But when Devarakkhitha Thero received over 8000 acres of land in Kiriella by a royal decree from King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (1798 – 1815), he built the Kirielle Nadun Rajamaha Viharaya, also known as the Kirielle Temple, and moved from the Karandana Gal Lena Viharaya temple leaving it to decay,
About 600 meters below the peak of Sri Pada, there is a place called Andiyamala Thenna where there is an Ambalama today. After killing his father, King Seethawaka Rajasinghe (1581-1591) became a Hindu and Sri Pada was handed over to Hindu priests called Andi (ආඬි) or Sannasi. They managed the site for approximately 155 years until Keerthi Sri Rajasinhe (1747 – 1781) took it back and handed it over to the Buddhist priests.
Sri Sankapala Rajamaha Viharaya is a legendary cave temple nestled against the stunning Sankapala rock. Famous for the tomb of Pussadeva, a giant warrior of King Dutugemunu, it features 14 ancient drip-ledge caves. Visitors can explore vibrant Kandyan-era murals, a hilltop stupa, and inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century BCE.
The ancient Bo Tree at Godakawela Malwessa Vehera Rajamaha Viharaya is believed to be one of the Dethis Pala Bodhi of the Sri Maja Bodhi in Anuradhapura. The Bodhi has four main branches. From ancient times, it is believed that the branch on the Northern side is the original Dethis Pala Bodhi as the annual falling of leaves on this branch is in sync with the Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura.
Pelmadulla Sri Sudarshana Dharmashalawaaya is an beautiful preaching hall built in mid 1800’s by the Iddamalgoda Basnayake Nilame to hold one of the last Dhamma Sangayana in Sri Lanka. This magnificent structure, designed by Iddamalgoda Kumarihami, showcases a remarkable blend of architectural elements inspired by churches.
Ayagama Minee Ella Waterfall is a 10 meter waterfall lying on Heen Ganga in Gangodakanda Division in Ayagama. It is 15-20 meters wide and full width of the waterfall can be seen only after a rain.
Dumbara Kaluwala Ella Waterfall (Dumbara Estate Ella) is small waterfall which lies hidden inside the forests between Mathugama and Idangoda in the Ratnapura District in Sabaragamuwa Province.
Sannasi Ella Waterfall is located in the village of Wewalwatta in Ratnapura district. It is one of the few unique waterfalls in Sri Lanka where water falls over a protruding rock creating a natural cave behind the fall. Some of other such waterfalls are Knuckles Doowili Ella, Sera Ella and Pareiyan Ella.
The Magnificent Manan Ella is located in the village of Ihalakanda in Ellawala of Eheliyagoda PS division in Rathnapura district. The waterfall is approx 40 meter in height and known for a good flow of water even during the dry season. However its best during the rainy season and said to as spectacular as the Bomburu Ella waterfall during high flow.
Walking in to this forested area of Panamure Ambagaha Vehera Archaeological Site, you will find barely visible signs of a large stupa on a hill now destroyed. Completely covered by the forest, only the exposed bricks on some parts tell you that this is not just a overgrown mound of earth.
This old fort of Kiriella is located about one kilometer away from Vidyala Mawatha in the center of Ilandagoda (Kiriella) under Kiriella Divisional Secretariat Division. This Portuguese fort, known today as Kotugodella, covers an area of more than half an acre. This historical monument is located on a high plot of land on the south bank of a bend in the Kalu Ganga river flowing from Ratnapura towards Kalutara.
Located in the Dry Zone, Udawalawe National Park comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs is one the sure places to see wild elephants any time of the day.
The Baghawa Lena cave lies hidden in the jungles about 100 meters (some say 30 meters) below the summit of Sri Pada mountain is not a place that pilgrims visit. The main reason for this to be a contender for Diva Guhawa is the ancient inscription found placed by king Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa kingdom (1187-1196) along with the line sketch of the king and a small arabic inscription.
Unfortunately the base of the Tampita viharaya at Kumbalgama Sri Vishuddharamaya has been filled and the pillars of this structure has been covered during later renovations and now appears as a temple built on a normal foundation. A larger hall has been built surrounding the tampita viharaya making it invisible.
The waterfall is not so popular outside the Dethabadakanda village and thus remains unspoiled. The villagers may not know the name Kasimani Ella so you may have to try the names “Madabaddara Ella” or “Kiriella Ella” asking for directions.
Ilumbakanda is a remote village in Kalawana surrounded by the Sinharaja jungle from 3 sides. This hidden waterfall lies on the southern border of the Sinharaja Jungles.
