Pidurangala Rock is a volcanic hill rising out of the lowland jungles and central plains of Sri Lanka, and is steeped in history and mythology. It is located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka.
Legend has it that King Kashyapa usurped the throne by murdering his father and then fearing retaliation by his brother Moggallana, the rightful heir to the throne he scouted for a secure location to move the capital and build his palace. He chose Sigiriya, but on arrival, he discovered Sigiriya itself was a Buddhist monastery complex, so he offered to build them an alternative, similar monastery at the close by Pidurangala Rock. As the legend goes, King Kashyapa offered a ‘golden monastery’, or ‘Aran gala’, which would later become Pidurangala, which literally means ‘offered piles of gold’. The monks duly obliged, and a Buddhist monastery was built in the caves and rocks around Pidurangala, known as “Uppalavanna Kashyapa Girri Viharaya”.
Halfway up the rock you will come across the ancient remains of Pidurangala Temple and the impressive sight of the 12 mt reclining Buddha which faces directly to the Lion’s Paw of Sigiriya. A stupa near the temple entrance is believed to mark the spot where King Kashyapa was cremated.
HOW TO GET THERE
HOW TO GET THERE
Road: Take the B162 off the A6 at Inamaluwa, just outside Dambulla. It takes about 30 mins from Dambulla.
BUS: A regular bus service from Dambulla runs every half hour between 6:30am to 6:00pm daily to Sigiriya. Pidurangala is about 1 mile further. This can be walked or a local Tuk-Tuk can be hired..
AIR: Sigiriya Airport is an air force base and domestic airport. The Airport is approx 4km from the rock.
TRAIN: The closest railway station to Sigiriya is Habarana which is 15km away.
PARKING
Vehicle Park of Pidurangala Rock & Temple is free to park.
OPENING TIMES, FEES & TICKET
The Pidurangala Rock ticket office opens at 5 am and closes at 6 pm, but you are welcome to stay as long as you like at the summit. Last entry is 5pm. The entrance fee is LKR 500 per person ($3 USD). The fee is part of a donation to the Pidurangala Sigiriya Rajamaha Viharaya temple that you pass through on the rock climb.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time of year to visit and climb Pidurangala is during the dry season, between late December and early April and it is best to arrive early in the morning before 9am or late in the afternoon due to the heat in the Summer months.
FACILITIES
There are no toilets or refreshments available.
TOURS
There are many commercial tours available.
DOGS
Pets are not allowed to climb the rock.
NEAREST TOWN
Dambulla, approx 20 km.
ACCOMMODATION
There is accommodation available around Pidurangala from budget guest houses to luxury hotels.
ADDRESS AND TEL NO
Kalapura, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka 077 544 6135