Aluvihare Rock Temple

Aluvihare is a set of caves among boulders above Matale, and its significance is textual: it was here, by the accepted account, that the Buddhist canon which had been transmitted orally for centuries was committed to writing on palm leaf in the first century BC, during a period of famine and instability that threatened the oral lineage. Caves hold painted interiors and reclining Buddhas, and a library and palm-leaf writing demonstration continue on site.

Background

The temple is also known as Matale Alu Viharaya. It lies on the road from Matale to Dambulla, 30 km north of Kandy. Its history is traced to the 3rd century BC and King Devanampiyatissa, who is believed to have founded the temple, raised its dagoba and planted its Bo sapling. It is said that 500 scholarly monks met here to recite the doctrines and agree on one version before it was written down. The old library with the manuscripts was destroyed in 1848. The new transcription went slowly, and the first of its three 'baskets of the law' was completed only in 1982. The site was declared an archaeological protected monument on 11 October 1974.

Source: Wikipedia, "Aluvihare Rock Temple"

What you'll find

• The writing tradition - the site where the Pali canon was first put on palm leaf.
• The painted caves - shrine interiors with murals and reclining figures.
• The palm-leaf manuscripts - the library and a demonstration of the writing method.
• The boulder setting - shrines built among granite boulders on the hillside.

When to go

January to April is the driest and most comfortable. Mornings are quietest. Poya days bring pilgrims.

Before you go

One cave holds vivid painted scenes of hell that some visitors find disturbing. Shoes must be removed and the rock gets hot. The climb between caves involves steps.

Nearby

Matale is south, and Dambulla is north.

Key facts