Mulkirigala rock temple the lesser known southern rock monastery is it worth the detour
I seek out the quieter sacred sites and I read about Mulkirigala a rock temple in the deep south sometimes called a little Sigiriya or a southern Dambulla with cave shrines and murals climbing a great rock Is it worth a detour what is there the caves the paintings the views how does it compare to Dambulla and Sigiriya is it crowded and how do I combine it with the south coast Quiet site lovers who have climbed Mulkirigala please tell me
5 Answers from travellers
Cultural guide so the Mulkirigala picture What it is Mulkirigala is a magnificent rock monastery in the deep south (inland from Tangalle) an ancient site where cave temples are built into the terraces of a towering rock you climb up through successive levels of rock shrines to the summit dagoba it is genuinely ancient and atmospheric and yes the little Sigiriya or southern Dambulla nickname fits it has the cave shrines of Dambulla and the rock climb of Sigiriya in one quieter package What is there the CAVE TEMPLES on the rock terraces house beautiful reclining and seated Buddha statues and vivid murals (Kandyan era paintings) the climb takes you through these levels each with its shrines to the top where a dagoba and panoramic VIEWS over the southern jungle and coast plain reward you historically the site is important monks here reportedly helped a British scholar decipher the Mahavamsa chronicle a nice deep history touch Compared to Dambulla and Sigiriya it has cave art like Dambulla and a rock ascent like Sigiriya but a FRACTION of the crowds and no big ticket price it is the southern sleeper not as grand individually but the combination plus the peace makes it special the lack of crowds lets you experience it as a contemplative monastery not a monument conveyor Crowded NO that is its charm compared to the cultural triangle giants it is quiet you may share it with a few pilgrims and the odd traveller go in the cool of early morning Combining with the south coast PERFECT it sits inland from the Tangalle and the deep south beaches so it is an easy half day inland detour from a south coast base pair it with the southern beaches Hummanaya blowhole or the Tangalle area so worth the detour absolutely for a quiet site lover a beautiful ancient crowd free rock monastery with caves murals and views an easy detour from the south coast and a contemplative antidote to the busy big names
The barefoot climb up warm rock can be hot by midday so the early morning tip is also a comfort thing take socks for the hot stone and water and do it before the sun is high
The Mahavamsa deciphering history adds a lovely layer it is not just a pretty rock it is where a key chronicle was unlocked ask the guide or read up before you go and the site means more
Cave murals a rock climb panoramic views and a fraction of the crowds an easy detour from the south coast this is exactly the quiet sacred site I hunt for the southern sleeper sold thank you
Climbed it early with almost no one there and the contemplative monastery feeling is real you move through the cave shrines in silence the crowds at Sigiriya make that impossible go early and it is yours
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