Pahiyangala Cave

Pahiyangala is a single overhanging rock shelter big enough to hold several thousand people, formed where a granite dome has been undercut, and it is often described as one of the largest natural rock shelters in Asia. Excavation produced human remains dated to around thirty-seven thousand years, among the oldest in South Asia. A temple occupies part of the shelter, with a reclining Buddha and a shrine under the overhang.

Background

The cave is also known as Fa Hien or Faxian Cave, from a local legend that the Buddhist monk Faxian once lived here, though no archaeological or historical evidence supports it. Siran Upendra Deraniyagala uncovered human burials in 1968 and dug again in 1988, and further excavation followed in 2013. Radiocarbon dates show the cave was in use from about 33,000 years ago until 4,750 years ago. The finds include the remains of a young woman whom archaeologists nicknamed Kalu-Menika, dated to roughly 5,400 years BP. A study from June 2020 found that people here had bow and arrow technology by 48,000 BP. It also found coloured beads made from ochre and shell beads traded from the coast.

Source: Wikipedia, "Fa Hien Cave"

Highlights

• The overhang - a single rock shelter of extraordinary span above the temple.
• The prehistoric finds - human remains around thirty-seven thousand years old.
• The cave temple - a reclining Buddha and shrine built under the rock.
• The climb - a long stepped ascent from the road below.

When to go

January to March is the driest window. The steps are slippery after rain. Poya days bring pilgrims in numbers.

Before you go

The climb is several hundred steps and hard work in the heat. The archaeological finds are not displayed on site. Monkeys around the temple are aggressive about food.

Nearby

Kalutara is west, and Ratnapura is east.

Key facts