Ravana’s Cave

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An ancient temple built inside a drip-ledged cave in the 2nd-century BC. It is believed that while raising armies against the South Indian invaders the King took sanctuary at this temple. The temple has a lot of Kandyan style paintings and sculptures. The ceiling of the temple is plastered with a thin layer of mortar, and contains paintings and lotus creeper patterns. A highlight of the temple is the Ravana Ella Cave which was believed to be inhabited by humans 25, 000 years ago.

The cave temple is about three kilometers away from Ella town towards Wellawaya. The temple is about a kilometer away from the main road on a small narrow road towards the hill at the 16km post. When visiting the temple you’d be expected to wear appropriately and walk barefooted.