Tangalle, Mulkirigala & Rock Temples.
The island of Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of cultural, heritage and sites of interest most of which remain undeveloped and non-commercialised. The rich history of Kingdoms, religions and faiths and, the later colonisation by the Portuguese, Dutch and British have endowed the island with so much to see.
Visitors traditionally follow the same paths to the main tourist sights of up-country tea estates and �the cultural triangle� without ever realising there is so much to see close at hand. One such example just 16km from Tangalle (Tangalla) town is Mulkirigala Buddhist temples. An exhausting climb up hundreds of steps is not everybody�s idea of a relaxing day out nonetheless; your effort will be well rewarded, as you take in the large reclining Buddha and smaller statues taking shelter in a series of caves.
Mulkirigala�s wall paintings which depict sinners paying for their sins with a tortuous afterlife provide a fascinating insight to Lord Buddha�s teachings. Upon reaching the rock summit there is a small Dagoba, and, what little breath you have left after your climb will be taken away by magnificent views of surrounding scenery. When visiting temples and Mulkirigala is no exception, it is tradition and only good manners to make a small donation � don�t be at all surprised if you are asked to do so.
Back to See & Do
