Dhowa Rock Temple
Sum up
Dhowa Rock Temple, found off the Ella to Bandarawela road, is a lesser-known attraction in Sri Lanka’s hill country. It is believed to have been the inspiration of King Walagamba in the first century BC when he was taking refuge from Indian invaders. Your climb to the temple could be accompanied by a troupe of playful monkeys. The centrepiece is an incomplete 38-foot Buddha carved into granite rock. The most romantic story comes with the discovery of a tunnel at the back of a cave, guarded by a figure of a king cobra. This 11 km tunnel was said to connect with further temples in Ella and Bogoda. It is now sealed off, but it is said to be the tunnel from which the king made a hasty escape, ensuring the giant Buddha was never quite completed. The king himself began all the paintings in the temple that were completed in later years.
Duration: 1 hours
Best Time: Year-round
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