- Pidurangala Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in the Matale District of Central Province, Sri Lanka. The monastery was built by the King Kashyapa (473-495 CE) to relocate monks who were residing in Sigiriya rock before the construction of the fortress. Also, it is believed that this monastery has been served as the royal monastery during the reign of King Kashyapa. Pidurangala is a massive rock similar to Sigiriya, said to be just four feet short of the height of Sigiriya. From certain places at a distance, one can see the view of both Sigiriya and Pidurangala. Surrounding the Pidurangala temple, lie many ruined dagobas and monuments. The entry point to the top of Pidurangala is along the stone steps through the temple. It is a one-km drive from the Sigiriya entrance, through the Pidurangala Sanctuary. The Pidurangala is also popular among both local and foreign tourists due to the stunning view of the Sigiriya rock. Many tourists climb the Pidurangala rock summit to experience this amazing view and take photographs. View of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress from Pidurangala Rock Summit View of Pidurangala Rock from Sigiriya Rock Fortress Click here to find a list of accommodations around Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. External Links අධ්යාත්මයේ කැඩපත පිදුරංගල රජ මහා විහාරයයි – බුදුසරණ ‘Discover Sri Lanka’ – Ritgala and Pidurangala – The Island Pidurangala: In the midst of serenity
- The Kandalama reservoir is one of the most beautiful ancient reservoirs in Sri Lanka. It is located in Dambulla, in Matale District of Sri Lanka, about 8 km away from the famous Dambulla Cave Temple. The reservoir has been a famous tourist destination for both local and foreign tourist, even during the British colonial period. This is a popular bathing location among local travelers. You can arrange wonderful hot air balloon ride over this site and there few companies who provide the service. The Kandalama reservoir is also a testament to the ancient architectural knowledge of Sri Lanka. it plays a major role in the irrigation and local fishing industry. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Kandalama, Sri Lanka on Booking.com
- Enderagala Wana Senasuna is a Buddhist temple in a calm and quiet location in Dambulla in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. According to the inscription found in the caves, the history of this temple dates back to the 2nd – 1st century B.C. The temple is located beside the Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Trincomalee (A006) Highway, only 6km away from the Dambulla city. You can reach Enderagala Wana Senasuna withing15 minutes from Dambulla Cave Temple. The Stupa of the temple is located in a rock summit provide panoramic, 360-degree view of the area. On a clear day, you can see the Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya rock and many other places from this location. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Dambulla, Sri Lanka on Booking.com
- Dambulla Cave Temple or the Golden Temple of Dambulla can be considered as the best-preserved largest Buddhist art gallery belongs to the Kingdom of Kandy. And it has been a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries. Also, it is the largest cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. According to the legend, these caves were initially developed as a temple by the king Walagamba (in 1st century BCE). The temple is located in Matale District of Central Province. It can be reached by Kandy-Jaffna road ( better known as A9 road). If you are coming from Colombo side it can be easily accessed by Ambepussa-Kurunegala-Trincomalee Road (Use map option on this page to get direction from your current location). Among the number of caves, there are 5 caves which contain the majority of the attractions. The king Nissanka Malla (1187–1196) has gilded these caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. As a result, the temple also titled as Golden Temple of Dambulla. There are 157 ancient Buddha statues and other statues in these caves. The caves have been renovated by Kandyan Kings in 18th century. Currently, the caves are decorated with paintings. The paintings in these caves belong to the Kandyan Era, the style of painting proves that. The paintings cover an area of around 2,100 m2 Because of these significances of the temple, the UNESCO has recognized it as a World Heritage Site in 1991.
- Bambarakiri Ella is located beside the Matale – Illukkumbura-Pallegama Road. When you are approaching Riverston peak or Knuckle Conservation Forest from Matale side along this road, the waterfall is on the right-hand side and it is only 6km away from Rattota Town. The waterfall is popular among local tourist and it is one of the location they wait to refresh and have bath when they are coming back from the Riverston tour.
- Mini World’s End is a deep escarpment located in Pitawala Pathana of Knuckles Conservation Forest. This is another attractive location where you can have panoramic view of nature’s beauty. You can access this location by the easy designated nature trail across the Pitawala Pathana and it is about 750m away from the main road. You can easily access the Pitawala Pathana from Matale – Illukkumbura-Pallegama road and it is 33km away from Matale city. If you are traveling from Matale side, you will meet Bambarakiri Ella Waterfall and Famous Riverston Peak before Pitawala Pathana.
- The Riverston peak is a part of the Knuckles Conservation Forest which is the first forest reserve in Sri Lanka. Riverston peak is belongs to Matale District of Central Province, Sri Lanka. The Riverston peak is famous among the visitors due to the high speed wind flow at the wind gap (video bellow will give you some idea about the wind speed). The misty mountains, evergreen forest, beautiful streams, waterfalls and biodiversity present in this forest reserve will surely amaze you.
- Nalanda Gedige is a building completely built with stone located in Matale District of Central Province Sri Lanka. The building was estimated to have been constructed between 8th & 10th centuries and has the influence of the Pallava architecture. The building has designed like a Hindu temple. However, the building said to have been used as a temple by Buddhists. The building has richly decorated by stone carvings. Front View Rear View Pavilion Entrance Rock Carvings at Nalanda Gedige Rock Carvings Rock Carvings Rock Carvings Rock Carvings Rock Carvings Rock Carvings Rock Carvings Rock Carvings
- Sigiriya is one of the best preserved examples which depict the engineering skills of ancient era of Sri Lanka. It is located in Matale district of Central Province, Sri Lanka. Today Sigiriya is one of the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site of Sri Lanka. Sigiri Wall Paintings Mirror Wall (Kadapath Paura) Sinha Padaya Sigiriya Rock External Links SigiriyaTourism.com World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple (also called Matale Aluviharaya) is located in Matale district, Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist temple which history dates back to 3rd Century B.C to the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The temple is the place where Tripitakas, namely Vinaya Pitakaya (Basket of Discipline), Sutta Pitakaya (Basket of Discourse) and Abhidarma Pitakaya (Basket of Metaphysics) wrote in Ola leaves during the reign of King Walagamba. The Museum Balumge
