පාහියන්ගල ලෙන

Pahiyangala Ancient Cave - Fa-Shein Lena

Useful Information

Location:	Yatagampitiya, Gavaragiriya. (6.6472000, 80.2136000)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Cave Church Rock Shelter
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=60 m, H=45 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Pahiyangala, Yatagampitiya, Gavaragiriya, Tel: +94-.
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

පාහියන්ගල ලෙන (Pahiyangala Cave) is also called Fa Hien Cave, named after the Chinese monk Faxian, who travelled through this area in the 5th century AD. He was a translator and traveled to other sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal and India. On his way to Adam's Peak he discovered this cave. Or better he rediscovered the cave, as it was known to man for 37,000 years, as proven by archaeological excavations. The findings were dated by geophysical methods here in Sri Lanka and in the United States.

The cave is only a shelter, a single chamber with a large portal, 60 m long and 45 m height. Thus, vast chamber is big enough for 3,000 people. There are the remaining pits of the archaeological excavations on the floor, and at the side there are numerous walls which were built into the cave. They form a buddhist temple, which contains a huge statue of a relining Buddha.