Kuuragala Monastery Visit

Where ancient cave shrines meet panoramic highlands
Kuuragala Monastery Visit

Unveiling 8,000 Years of Silence

About 38.5 km south of The Glenrock, perched at 515 m above sea level, the Kuuragala Ancient Buddhist Monastery offers sweeping views over the Sabaragamuwa hills — and a connection to one of Sri Lanka’s oldest human settlements. Archaeological finds here include stone tools, seashells, and even a human skeleton dating back over 8,000 years. The site served as a Buddhist cave monastery between the 3rd century BC and 1st century AD, featuring drip-ledge caves, Brahmi inscriptions, rock stairways, and a distinctive Akasa Chaithya-style stupa.
  • Location: ~1h 15 min drive from The Glenrock (via Balangoda–Kaltota road)
  • Duration: 5–6 hour round trip including nearby sites
  • What You’ll See: Ancient cave monastery, Akasa Chaithya stupa, giant Buddha, inscriptions
  • Route: Often combined with Duvili Ella, Thanjan Thenna, and other scenic stops
Kuuragala Monastery Visit

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