Caves of Beautiful Sri Lanka
Pannila Calcarious Cave, Rakwana
Pannila caves offers the chance to see an underground zoo. It consists of two caves which are situated near an enchanting waterfall. A stream flows through the first cave which leads to the next over a series of smaller caves containing ancient stalagmites and stalactites. The caves are estimated to be around 500 million years old and are home to a wide variety of animals. Visitors may encounter water monitors, butterflies, amphibians, fish and bats.
Bogoda Cave, Jangulla
Bogoda cave is thought to have been used by King Walagamba as one of his hide-outs from the South Indian Forces which invaded Sri Lanka during the ancient times. It is believed to be part of an extensive network of tunnels which leads to other caves nearby. However this cannot be proven at the moment as the cave only retreats 15 metres into the rock wall and gaps are no longer existent as they have been covered by dense vegetation and earth over the years.
Batadombalena Cave, Kuruwita
Buddhist literature suggests that Batatotalena cave is the sacred place where Lord Buddha rested on his way back from Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). Archaeological findings have proved that the cave dates back over 25 thousand years and has been used as a dwelling place during many historical eras. Various skeletal remains, ancient cave drawings and painting and a Buddhist shrine room have been excavated. Even today, a Buddhist priests calls it home! The cave is situated at Sudagala and in order to reach it, visitors have to walk a distance of 400 meters to the base and then another 50 metres to the entrance. There is a beautiful underground cave nearby which is partially submerged in a stream. Requiring a swim to get to it, this smaller cave has caused much enthusiasm among visitors.
Belilena Cave, Kitugala
Belilena is an enormous cave, in which the 12 thousand year old skeletal remains of the prehistoric man have been found. Recent archaeological excavations conducted at the cave have also unearthed several fossils believed to be more than 32 thousand years old! In order to reach the cave, visitors have to walk through the jungle which lies amidst the picturesque town of Kithulgala, where there are plenty of wonders to see.
Sthripura Cave, Welimada
The Sthripura Cave consists of a series of three caves, located at Kiriwanagama about 16 km from Welimada (55 Km from Belihuloya). According to the legend, King Rawana of Sri Lanka use the caves to hide the beautiful princess Sita,
whom he abducted after defeating her husband, Prince Rama of India.
Pannila caves offers the chance to see an underground zoo. It consists of two caves which are situated near an enchanting waterfall. A stream flows through the first cave which leads to the next over a series of smaller caves containing ancient stalagmites and stalactites. The caves are estimated to be around 500 million years old and are home to a wide variety of animals. Visitors may encounter water monitors, butterflies, amphibians, fish and bats.
Bogoda Cave, Jangulla
Bogoda cave is thought to have been used by King Walagamba as one of his hide-outs from the South Indian Forces which invaded Sri Lanka during the ancient times. It is believed to be part of an extensive network of tunnels which leads to other caves nearby. However this cannot be proven at the moment as the cave only retreats 15 metres into the rock wall and gaps are no longer existent as they have been covered by dense vegetation and earth over the years.
Batadombalena Cave, Kuruwita
Buddhist literature suggests that Batatotalena cave is the sacred place where Lord Buddha rested on his way back from Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). Archaeological findings have proved that the cave dates back over 25 thousand years and has been used as a dwelling place during many historical eras. Various skeletal remains, ancient cave drawings and painting and a Buddhist shrine room have been excavated. Even today, a Buddhist priests calls it home! The cave is situated at Sudagala and in order to reach it, visitors have to walk a distance of 400 meters to the base and then another 50 metres to the entrance. There is a beautiful underground cave nearby which is partially submerged in a stream. Requiring a swim to get to it, this smaller cave has caused much enthusiasm among visitors.
Belilena Cave, Kitugala
Belilena is an enormous cave, in which the 12 thousand year old skeletal remains of the prehistoric man have been found. Recent archaeological excavations conducted at the cave have also unearthed several fossils believed to be more than 32 thousand years old! In order to reach the cave, visitors have to walk through the jungle which lies amidst the picturesque town of Kithulgala, where there are plenty of wonders to see.
Sthripura Cave, Welimada
The Sthripura Cave consists of a series of three caves, located at Kiriwanagama about 16 km from Welimada (55 Km from Belihuloya). According to the legend, King Rawana of Sri Lanka use the caves to hide the beautiful princess Sita,
whom he abducted after defeating her husband, Prince Rama of India.
Sthripura Cave
Waulpane Cave, Pallebeda
Waulapane cave is also known as the Cave of Bats! It is renowned for its stalagmites and stalactites which are approximately 500 million years old as well as the hundreds of thousands of bats which call it home. The isolated cavern is set withing the eastern slopes of the Rakwana mountain range. Once visitors are inside the cave, they have to descend 300 metres underground where a prehistoric world of ancient fossils, trickling a stream and a beautiful waterfall awaits. Being deep within the cavern gives a thrilling and mysterious experience. Various species of fresh water fish and amphibians can be spotted in the depths of the stream.
Waulapane cave is also known as the Cave of Bats! It is renowned for its stalagmites and stalactites which are approximately 500 million years old as well as the hundreds of thousands of bats which call it home. The isolated cavern is set withing the eastern slopes of the Rakwana mountain range. Once visitors are inside the cave, they have to descend 300 metres underground where a prehistoric world of ancient fossils, trickling a stream and a beautiful waterfall awaits. Being deep within the cavern gives a thrilling and mysterious experience. Various species of fresh water fish and amphibians can be spotted in the depths of the stream.
Andirilena Caves, Udugama
Situated about 4km from Udugama (25km from Belihuloya towards Colombo on the Balangoda – Colombo road), the entrance to the Andirilena Cave Situated about 4km from Udugama 25km from Belihuloya towards Colombo on the Balangoda- Colombo road), The entrance to the Andirilena Caves is only about 4ft high , but once inside, it is huge. The main cave devides into two, giving rise to several smaller caves on the way and joining together after about 500 meters.
Rawana Ella Cave, Ella
Ravana cave is rather small and fits snugly on the slopes of a hill which lies in a forest about 2 kilometres away from the picturesque town of Ella. Once inside the cave, there are several smaller caves which run deep into the main cave wall. Legend has it that this cave was used by Ravana the king of devils, to hide the beautiful Sita whom he kidnapped from Rama. It is also said to be part of a network of tunnels which leads to the Dowa rock temple at Bandarawela.
Batatotalena Cave, Sudagala
Batatotalena Cave is situated at Sudagala, about 5 km away from Kuruwita (85km from Colombo on the Colombo – Badulla road). In order to reach it, one has to walk about 400m from Sudagala to the base and then climb a further 50m to enter. It measures about 50ft in height, 60ft in width and 80ft in length. As an extra point of interest, about 30m from Batatotalena it is an underground cave, partly submerged in a stream. To reach this, one has to swim about 20m.
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