Pidurangala rock fortress located close to the Sigiriya rock fortress is a rock with ancient forest monastery in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The Pidurangla rock with the monastery has a strong connection between the Sigiriya. The Pidurangala monastery complex is the place where King Kashyapa (477-495 AC) worshiped and used to relocate the monks dwelled at Sigiriya.
Yet King Kashyapa wanted to build his royal capital at Sigiriya the lower levels of the rock fortress were used by the Sangha to follow contemplation. Therefore the caves adjoined with the site area are formerly used by the monks for meditations. Pidurangala monastery was distinguished as a well-civilized site too. The Brahmin inscriptions found at the complex say that the viharaya was established as a ‘Panchavasa’ style Hermitage (comprised of 5 major ritual buildings). Moreover, you will find the inscriptions done made by King kashyapa. You can visit old dagoba, chapter house (dwelling place of bhikkus), Bodhigara (bo tree chamber), Preaching wall, image house and ruins of the archeological site. Hence the pirivena of the temple was accommodated by 500 bhikkus. The old monastery was called as Uppalavanna kashyapa Giri viharaya. A flight of steps located on the right-hand side from the cave temple will take you up t the summit and here you will see a 48 feet recumbent Buddha statue in an elongated ancient cave. The hike through the wood will not be exhausting. It can be rated as an ideal place to away from a clumsy city with hustle or bustle. You will not feel the heat of the sun cause of the eco-friendly environment endured. King Kashyapa used the rocky outcrop as an image house to worship twice a day standing on the Lio’s paws of Sigiriya, but now it seems to be ruined. Hence the Pidurangala rock inscriptions and Pidurangala caves of the pidurangala summit have a history going back over 2000 years. Meanwhile, the statues belong to the architecture of Anuradhapura era. The vicinity of the entire area is surrounded by a lush green forest. Even the new Pidurangala temple and the Sigiriya rock fortress are breathtaking.
The author of the great chronicle, Mahavansa accommodated in the drip ledge caves. The present incumbent of the temple is Dhaniyaghama Ananda thero. Presently he has asked the department of archeology to have restoration of the Buddha statues and frescoes. Eventually, the Pidurangala rock is lesser known among the travelers but well worth.