Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Vihara, Buddhist temple in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.
Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Vihara is a temple complex with numerous caves carved into rock formations that served as a Buddhist sanctuary. The site also features a shrine with historical paintings and notable architectural elements.
The site was inhabited by Buddhist monks starting in the 2nd century BC, who carved the caves into the rock formations. Later, colonial powers left their own traces, including a wooden bridge from the Dutch period.
The shrine displays paintings of the Jataka tales and features Portuguese soldier figures at its entrance instead of traditional guardian statues. This unusual combination reflects the layered history of the site.
The temple complex spreads across a large area with multiple caves, so plan time for exploring. The grounds can be slippery, especially after rain, so sturdy footwear and caution are recommended.
The grounds contain an underground water canal system beneath the temple that directs water from a rocky source to a stone-built pond. This cleverly engineered system shows how earlier inhabitants managed water with minimal effort.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
