DhowaRaja Maha Viharaya

Similar to the Ravana Cave, the Dhowa Raja Maha Viharaya possesses a history that goes back more than 2000 years, and is believed to have a strong connection to the legend of the Ramayana. The temple also played a major part during the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

What to Expect

The rock temple is located a significant distance away from the town of Ella, however, it still is an intriguing place to visit if you are interested in exploring the unique culture of the country. It is believed that the temple was built by King Walagamba, when he was taking refuge in the Uva Province after the Kingdom of Anuradhapura was invaded by a South Indian force.

The temple is very small, however, is has several murals, carvings and sculptures of the Lord Buddha. Moreover, the place of worship is located right next to a sealed cave entrance, which is believed to be the entrance of an intricate tunnel system carved out by King Walagamba. Archaeologists believe that the cave stretches more than 11km long and connects to the Ravana Cave.