බටතොට ලෙන

Batatota Lena - Batadombalena Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Erathna Rd, Kuruwita, Sri Lanka 70500. 85 km from Colombo. 400 m hike from Sudagala, elevation gain 50 m on staircases at the end. (6.830180, 80.374260)
Open:	Cave: no restrictions. Temple: All year daily 6-18. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=25 m, H=15 m, W=18 m, V=6,800 m³.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Batatota Lena, Erathna Rd, Kuruwita, Sri Lanka 70500, Tel: +94-772-525-738, Tel: +94-76-735-1824. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

බටතොට ලෙන (Batatota lena, Batathotalena, Babatota cave) is normally named Batatotalena Cave in literature and even on the wikipedia page. It’s not unusual that foreigners do not understand the name, and so they obviously thought Batatotalena was the name. However, lena means cave, so the commonly used name Batatotalena Cave actually translates Batatota Cave Cave, which is obviously an unintended tautology.

It is a natural shelter where archaeologists discovered the remains of Balangoda Manawaya (Balangoda Man, Homo sapiens balangodensis). The cave shelter was inhabited since 25,000 BP. But it was also used during historic times. Various skeletal remains, ancient paintings, a Buddhist shrine room and a Devalaya belonging to the Kandyan era were excavated. Also, ceramic tile and glass particles from the Dutch era were found.

According to Buddhism, Buddha went to Adam’s Peak aka Sri Pada, to place his footprint, which seems to be a common pastime of famous people. Then he went to a cave to spend the day, from where he supposedly proceeded to Dighavapi. This cave is believed to be the cave in which he spent the day, so it is also known as දිවා ගුහාව (Divā Guhāva, Day Cave). The cave is used as a Buddhist temple with a resident Buddhist priest, and is equipped with a bunch of kitschy staffage. This includes numerous orange glowing plastic Buddhas as well, as a pool with a Frog Prince, colourful flags, and even an emaciated Zombie-Saint. In the forest is a plastic sculpture of a man-eating gorilla with demon fangs, and probably much more, so don't stray from the path. This is entertaining in a rather morbid way. The view on the other side is just great.