Top Tourist Places to Visit in Yala National Park

Did you read our blog post about Yala National Park? Or read it from this link. Home of the Sri Lankan Leopard - Yala National Park is a must visit for all wildlife enthusiasts. If you are visiting Yala and can spare a few more days, we recommend visiting many places around it. For this, our company Blue Elephant has presented many trip plans that are most suitable for you. It is special that you can make changes as per your wish.

Sithulpavwa Ancient Buddhist Temple - Rock temple in the middle of the forest

At a distance of 17 km from Kataragama, 22 km from Yala and 28 km from Tissamaharama, Sithulpawwa is an ancient Buddhist monastery located deep within the natural habitats of the Yala National Park, Sri Lanka. Located on Tissamaharama-Yodhakandiya road, it is one of the popular pilgrimage places to visit near Yala.

Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya is believed to have been built in the 2nd century BC by King Kavantissa. With a history of over 2200 years, this rock temple is considered to be one of the supreme 2nd-century sites of Buddhist scholarship. Sithulpawwa is known as a location where thousands of Arhaths lived at one time.

The monastery straddles a collection of rocky outcrops and caves deep in the heart of Yala National Park. There are said to be hundreds of caves and shelters within and around the complex that have housed monks (for centuries) who came to the site to further their education as well as to meditate. Surrounded by only the sounds of the wilderness and temple chants, a journey to Sithulpawwa is a peaceful escape that is fitting for its original name 'Chiththala Pabbatha', which means the hill of the quiet mind.

The temple is located atop a rock (400 feet high) hence one must climb a flight of stairs to get to the summit where the brilliance of the dagoba, rock caves and the view can be witnessed. Paintings of the Anuradhapura era and the ruins of stone Buddha images, Bodhisattva images, Image Houses, Circular Relic Houses are spread throughout the monastery premises. A large number of rock inscriptions belong to the pre-Christian era have been found throughout the vihara complex.

The temple's surrounding is a natural habitat for wildlife, hence spotting a deer, a boar, sometimes even an elephant is a possibility. The temple is within easy distance of the Yala National Park and could be visited at the same time. Sithulpawwa is now becoming more popular with local pilgrims.

It is recommended to use an SUV for the ride towards the Temple and also to go during the evening hours. The Yala National Park closes at 5.30 PM, so it's best that if you could start the journey to visit the temple by about 3 PM every evening.

Magul Maha Vihara - Buddhist temple near Yala Forest

At a distance of 11 km from Yala National Park and 12 km from Sithulpawwa, Magul Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery situated on Kirinda - Situlpawwa Road, Sri Lanka. It is one of the popular places to visit in Yala National Park.

The ancient Buddhist temple of Magul Maha Viharaya is situated within the Yala National Park and known for its captivating architecture, making it a 'must-see' attraction. This temple is said to be built by King Kavanthissa in the 2nd Century BC on the location where the King married the princess Vihara Maha Devi.

They were the parents of rebel King, Dutugemunu who wrote a significant chapter in Sri Lankan history. The foundations of the 'Magul Maduwa' where the wedding ceremony took place can still be seen in the vihara premises.

The entire Vihara complex had covered an extent of around 10,000 acres where ruins of a palace, moonstone, monastery, Bo tree, stupas, ponds, etc. are found scattered all over. The moonstone here is said to be unique in the country as this is the only location where elephants are carved with their mahouts in the moonstone.

Kataragama Religious Town - Ancient Shrine and Temple

At a distance of 20 km from Tissamaharama and 38 km from Yala, Kataragama is a sacred town in Sri Lanka. It is one of the most significant pilgrimages in Sri Lanka and is regarded as one of the best places to visit in Yala

This small town is famous for Kataragama temple, a temple complex dedicated to Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and Hindu War God Murugan. It is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people. For most of the past millennia, it was a jungle shrine very difficult to access but today it is accessible by an  main  road. The shrines and the nearby Kiri Vehera are managed by Buddhists while the shrines dedicated to Teyvanai and Shiva are managed by Hindus and the mosque by Muslims.

Dates back to 2nd century BC, the sanctum sanctorum of the main Kataragama temple dedicated to Lord Murugan does not have a statute of the deity instead it holds a Yantra. Of all the shrines in the complex, it is the largest and the first that all pilgrims come to visit. Although it does not have a representation of the deity, kept in an adjoining room is a statue of Shiva also known amongst Sinhalese as Karanduva. To the left of the main shrine lies a smaller shrine dedicated to Hindu god Ganesha who is known as Ganapati devio amongst Sinhalese. It too is a small rectangular building without any decoration. Vishnu Devale situated to the left of the Ganesha shrine and one can see a Buddha image here. Behind this is a large Bo tree that tradition holds as sprung from the sapling of the original Bo tree in Anuradhapura, hence is very much held in high esteem by the visiting Buddhists.

The annual Esela Perehera held in July or August is the main event of the shrine. About 45 days before the festival begins, the priests go into the forest and find two forked branches of a sacred tree. The branches are then immersed in the local river and kept at the shrines dedicated to Kataragama deviyo and Valli. When the main festival begins, the Yantra representing the deity is retrieved from its storage location, paraded through a street on top of an elephant, and carried to the Valli shrine. After two hours it is returned. On the last day of the festival, the Yantra is left overnight at the Valli shrine and brought back to the main shrine. The priests conduct the rituals in silence, covering their mouths with a white cloth. Associated with the main festival is fire walking arranged by a master of the ritual. Hundreds of devotees participate in fire walking, yet others participate in ecstatic dance forms called Kavadi and body piercing. Many of the pilgrims exhibit signs of being possessed.

Another major attraction of Kataragama is the Buddhist stupa Kiri Vehera, also known as 'milk stupa', which was built around 6th BC. The stupa is said to have been built by King Mahasena, a regional ruler of the Kataragama area in the 6th Century. The stupa is 95feet in height and has a circumference of 800m is a peaceful place visited by many Buddhists to meditate. It is one of the sixteen sacred places which had been visited by Gothama Buddha . The Kiri Vehera depicts a beautiful relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism. The relationship between Buddha Shakyamuni and Lord Murugan facilitated a peaceful coexistence between Buddhist and Hindu devotees in the region.

Buduruwagala Temple -  the stunning rock-cut Buddha figures are nearly a 1000-year old

Considered as Yala’s biggest attraction, the stunning rock-cut Buddha figures are nearly a 1000-year old. The enormous Buddha stands at 15m, becoming the highest buddha statue on the island. You can still trace its unusual adhesive robe, along with an elongated splash of orange color it, indicating it was once painted with vibrant colors. The adjoining is filled by smaller carved statures. It is essential to hire a guide before stepping in to admire these huge ancient carvings and of course, giving him a tip. Our guides are ready for that.

You may be joined by a guide, who will expect a tip. A three-wheeler from Wellawaya costs about Rs 900 return. Some people walk (or cycle) from the junction of the main road, which is very pleasant but can also be very hot. The 4km track crosses a series of delicate lakes. Keep an eye out for local birdlife, including many egrets and herons.