Yapahuwa Rock Fortress
A 13th century rock fortress and royal capital near Maho, famous for its steep, richly carved stone staircase and the stone lions that guard it.
Yapahuwa Rock Fortress rises around 90 metres above the plains near Maho, in the north of Kurunegala District. For a short time in the 13th century it was the capital of Sri Lanka. King Bhuvanekabahu I moved his court here in around 1272, building a palace and defences on the rock to protect his kingdom from invasion from South India.
He also brought the Sacred Tooth Relic with him. In Sri Lankan tradition, whoever held the relic had the right to rule, so it was enshrined in a temple on the rock. The capital only lasted a few years. After the king's death the fortress was attacked and the relic was carried off to South India, before being recovered by a later king.
What survives is Yapahuwa's famous staircase. It climbs steeply up the rock, and its upper flight is decorated with some of the finest stone carving of the period: dancers, musicians, elephants and other figures, with a pair of stone lions guarding the top. Above the staircase are the remains of the Tooth Relic temple, with carved windows and doorways.
From the summit, the views stretch across forest, paddy fields and reservoirs in every direction. The climb is short but steep, so take your time on the steps, especially in the midday heat. At the foot of the rock there is a small museum and a cave temple with old paintings. Yapahuwa is rarely busy, which makes it a peaceful stop on the way between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Around USD 4 for foreign visitors, paid in rupees. Locals pay less.
- Opening hours: Daylight hours, roughly 7:00am to 5:30pm
- Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Best time: Early morning or late afternoon, to avoid climbing in the midday heat
How to get there
About 5km from Maho town in Kurunegala District. Maho has a railway station on the northern line; take a tuk tuk from there. By road, it is an easy detour on the drive between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura.