An ancient rock cave

At Kukuleganga Holiday Resort, winners of the Funday Times Learning in the Library enjoy a free weekend stay with their family. An ideal family resort, Kukuleganga offers many activities for kids. Within easy reach of the resort are also many attractions of scenic and historic nature.

One of the most famous sights around Kukuleganga is Pahiyangala rock cave. It is located approximately 8 km from the resort driving via Molkawa. An added interest on this drive is the crossing by ferry on the Paragoda ferry. Having crossed the river, the road from the further bank leads to Yatagampitiya Junction from where a right turn leads you to this famous destination.
The famous Chinese monk Rev. Fa-Hsien, is said to have visited Ceylon in 411 AD, when he reached the great capital of the Sinhala kings.

Fa-Hsien left his native Chang-in in North China, determined to carry home a complete collection of the Buddhist Tripitaka and associated commentaries, which were not available in China. He also sought information about the status of Buddhism in neighbouring lands. Whilst at Anuradhapura, Fa-Hsien vowed to climb the sacred mountain in the south – Adam's Peak and pay homage to the Buddha's footprint. His pilgrimage to the Peak lasted several months. Fa Hsien's route to Adam's Peak was via Bulathsinghala, Kalawana, Nivitigala, Ratnapura and Gileemale.

When on this arduous journey, he is known to have lived for several months in a large granite cave. The cave, called Pahiyangala Cave, is at an elevation of 400 ft. above sea level. The Pahiyangala natural cave is of solid rock about 650 feet in height. Inside, the cave is 175 feet wide and 150 feet high. It is said to be the largest of its kind in Asia. Carbon techniques have confirmed that ancient human beings in pre-historic times have lived in this cave. Excavations carried out by scientists and archaeologists have yielded a wealth of artifacts and fossils including human skulls and skeletal remains of scientific interest, relating to Mesolithic times (i.e., about 3400 years).

At the foot of the hill is a Buddhist temple with several samaneras, headed by a chief-incumbent, who is also the caretaker of the ancient cave and its relics. Pahiyangala is an interesting sight to visit.