Kirinda the temple on the rock by the sea near Yala worth a stop and what is the story and the view
I am drawn to temples by the sea and I read about Kirinda a small temple perched on a rock outcrop right by the ocean near Yala and Tissamaharama with a famous legend (Queen Viharamahadevi) and great views Is it worth a stop what is the experience the climb the view the story and how does it fit a Yala and Tissa trip and is it good for sunrise or sunset and how is the southeast in June People who visited Kirinda please tell me about this seaside rock temple
7 Answers from travellers
Heritage guide so the Kirinda picture a lovely seaside rock temple What it is KIRINDA is a small Buddhist temple perched dramatically atop a ROCK outcrop right beside the OCEAN near Tissamaharama and Yala in the deep southeast you climb the rock to the temple and shrines and are rewarded with sweeping views over the sea and coast The legend the story this is the famous bit Kirinda is tied to the legend of QUEEN VIHARAMAHADEVI according to the chronicle she was set adrift in a boat as a sacrifice to appease the sea gods (after the sea flooded the land in the time of her father the king) and came ashore here at Kirinda she later became the mother of the great King Dutugemunu so this spot by the sea is woven into one of the islands most beloved legends a statue and the temple commemorate it which gives the rock real mythic resonance The experience a short CLIMB up the rock to the temple the shrines and the Buddha statue and the VIEWS the panorama over the Indian Ocean the coastline and back toward the Yala scrub it is serene and atmospheric the sea breeze the waves below the legend in the air a quick rewarding stop (well under an hour) Sunrise or sunset the views are lovely either way being on the southeast coast facing the sea SUNRISE over the ocean is special (early light on the water) and it is generally a peaceful golden hour spot a beautiful calm contrast to a dusty safari Fitting a Yala and Tissa trip PERFECT Kirinda is very close to TISSAMAHARAMA and the YALA area (just south of Tissa on the coast) so it slots easily into a deep south safari base (the Tissa and Yala threads) a great quick add on before or after a safari or as a peaceful coast stop June and the southeast GOOD the southeast is in its DRIER calmer season now (the southwest monsoon hits the west and hills while the southeast is drier the seasonal threads) so June is a fine time for Kirinda and the coast pleasant for the climb and views So yes Kirinda is well worth a stop a small temple dramatically perched on a rock by the sea with sweeping ocean views and the beloved legend of Queen Viharamahadevi who came ashore here a short serene climb that fits perfectly with a Yala and Tissamaharama trip lovely at sunrise and at its best in the dry June southeast a peaceful mythic seaside gem
It is a refreshing change from the safari a quiet breezy rock temple by the ocean after the dust and jeeps of Yala the sea air and the calm views are a tonic do not skip it just because it is small the setting is the reward
Pair it with an early Yala safari since Kirinda is so close to the park do the dawn safari then come to Kirinda for the calm sea views and the legend afterward the contrast of the dusty wildlife morning and the serene seaside temple makes a perfect deep south day
The views from the top over the ocean and the wild coast are gorgeous and being the dry season in the southeast now the light and the calm sea make it especially lovely a quick climb for a big reward of sea and sky and story
The legend really adds to the place standing on the rock where Queen Viharamahadevi is said to have come ashore from the sea with the waves crashing below brings the old story alive it is more than a viewpoint it is a place steeped in myth and history
A small temple dramatically perched on a rock by the sea with sweeping ocean views and the beloved legend of Queen Viharamahadevi a short serene climb that fits perfectly with a Yala and Tissa trip lovely at sunrise and at its best in the dry June southeast this is exactly the seaside temple I was drawn to thank you
Following up climbed Kirinda at sunrise after a dawn safari and it was magical the sea views the legend and the peace after the busy park were the perfect calm end to the morning thank you all a small place with a big sense of story and serenity
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