Caves and Caverns

Hollombuwa Sthreepura Cave Temple

හොළොම්බුව “ස්ත්‍රීපුර” රජමහා විහාරය

Sabaragamuwa Province

Kegalle District

7°11'52.7"N 80°16'27.4"E

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Another cave that hid Walagamba. He seems to have known every one on the island.

STAND INSIDE IT — 360°

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THE PLACE

This beautiful sacred spot in Galigamuwa can be reached by travelling 3 km from Pitagaldeniya junction situated 6 km along the Galigamuwa-Avissawela road. This cave temple is believed to be constructed during King Walagamba in the Anuradhapura period. This place is named Sthreepura due to the belief that it provided shelter to 500 queens. A large pond in the cave filled with pure water is considered the water source used by the queens for bathing and drinking.

According to tradition, there had been an underground tunnel linking Yatahalena with Dedigama. Beautiful sculptures and paintings done in 1935 can be seen in the cave. A natural arch is found outside the cave. This cave is a successful conversion of a natural cave into a Buddhist shrine room.

(Heratage of Sabaragamuwa by H.A.P Abeyawardana )

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