Degalldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya | Cave Temple
An 18th century cave temple on the edge of Kandy famous for its vivid Kandyan-era ceiling and wall paintings telling Jataka tales.
In the quiet village of Amunugama, a short drive from central Kandy, sits a temple that doesn't just sit inside a cave, it was carved to become one. Degalldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya dates back to the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe in the 18th century, and the story goes that the king stumbled upon this particular rock formation while out on a hunting trip and decided right then it deserved a temple. What makes it unusual compared to most cave temples is that this wasn't an existing cave dressed up for worship, artisans actually excavated solid rock, hollowing out a formation roughly 40 feet high to create both the shrine room and entrance from scratch.
Step inside and the real payoff reveals itself, wall to wall, ceiling included, murals rendered in that unmistakable Kandyan palette of red, white, yellow and black. These paintings depict Jataka stories, tales from the Buddha's past lives, alongside scenes like Mara Yuddhaya, the dramatic battle against the demon Mara just before enlightenment. A massive reclining Buddha painting anchors the space, the kind of image that stops you mid step, and honestly, it's easy to lose track of time just standing there scanning panel after panel.
King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe was known as a genuine patron of the arts, and Degalldoruwa reflects that reputation clearly, the finest painters of the era were brought together specifically for this project. Details of the temple's construction were even recorded on the Degalldoruwa Tamba Sannasa, a copper plate inscription, which is a rare thing to have survived intact from that period. The site was chosen deliberately for its seclusion too, tucked away enough that monks could meditate undisturbed, away from the noise of the growing Kandyan capital.
These days, the temple still carries that same hushed, tucked away feeling, though the narrow access road can get busy on Poya days when local devotees turn up in numbers. Visit on an ordinary weekday instead and you'll likely have long stretches of quiet to actually take the murals in properly, rather than rushing past them in a crowd.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Small entrance fee applies for foreign visitors, generally under LKR 500.
- Opening hours: Typically open daily from early morning until early evening, roughly 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Time needed: About 30 to 45 minutes covers the cave shrine and murals comfortably.
- Best time: Weekday mornings avoid Poya day crowds and give better natural light indoors.
Getting there
About 15 to 20 minutes by car from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, reached via the Lewella Bridge road or a turnoff at Nattarampota along Kundasale Road.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Degalldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya | Cave Temple?
- Small entrance fee applies for foreign visitors, generally under LKR 500.
- What are the opening hours at Degalldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya | Cave Temple?
- Typically open daily from early morning until early evening, roughly 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- How long should I spend at Degalldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya | Cave Temple?
- Plan for about 30 to 45 minutes covers the cave shrine and murals comfortably.
- When is the best time to visit Degalldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya | Cave Temple?
- Weekday mornings avoid Poya day crowds and give better natural light indoors.
- How do I get to Degalldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya | Cave Temple?
- About 15 to 20 minutes by car from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, reached via the Lewella Bridge road or a turnoff at Nattarampota along Kundasale Road.