Exploring Andiri Lena – Opanayaka

Andiri Lena believes that this belongs to king Wlagamba, since he lived in forest for hideouts. Balangoda Buddhist monk stated that is there is a huge cave behind Pettigala Mountain. And the entrance is at Opanayake. He said he has gone to this cave 15 years back. Also told inside this is very huge as BMICH and its true. I started to search this cave, but couldn’t get any information. Finally after a 1-1/2 of searching, I found a blog (written by Sulakkhana Chamara), where he has gone to this cave in 2013. Now the planning begins; with Nishani, my office mate with the help of her cousin Pradeep. I contacted Pradeep and he gave us a great help of arranging the trip. On the 28 Feb 2015, we started the exploration.

We started our journey form Colombo at about 1.45 am in the morning. The crew was two from Colombo and four joined from Opanayake (which includes 3 guide). We got into the Badulla bus around 1:45 am, reached Opanayake around 5:15 am. We told the conductor to wake us at Opanayake, but he felt sleep and ultimately we were dropped at beyond Udawela junction, and told us it’s just 20/= distance to Opnayake☺. So please keep your eyes open. When we got down from the bus it was pitch dark, and full of mist and had to walk up to Opanayake town to get some breakfast. Luckily there was a shop open for us (Ratnagiri Hotel & Bakers). Had tea and breakfast and started the journey.

Spectacular view; which Andiri Lena resides.

On the way to ‘Kande Vihara Purana Rajamaha Viharaya’ junction the view is spectacular.

.	Early morning view at Opanayake

We met the guide at the entrance to ‘Kande Vihara Purana Rajamaha Viharaya’ he took us in his 3-wheeler to his house.

This is the entrance to the ‘Kande Vihara Purana Rajamaha Viharaya’ junction.

We stopped the 3-wheeler at his home and started the journey by walking through the village. Very nice and calm village, and able to see beautiful paddy fields.

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After 20 minutes’ walk through the village, we entered the death zone, leach attack through the jungle! The path was bit hard, and it took about 1-1/2 hrs to reach the cave, but hard path to follow.

At last we managed to reach the cave entrance and surprise was waiting for us.

Cave entrance from outside.

Cave from inside view…

A Green Pit Viper (Pala Polanga) welcomed us :-)

At the entrance, were welcomed by a Green Pit Viper (Pala Polanga), but the guide (Tissa) managed to safely remove the Viper. They said that it it’s vulnerable. When we saw the entrance, we all had question, ‘Are we going in there?’ I really got scared when I saw the entrance, such a small path way. Only one person can go in at a time and it’s by creeping in.

We somehow managed to creep in one by one. After going in I thought it’s is worthwhile coming in. The cave was huge in size, I had a feeling like going in to the BMICH, such a huge area.

The main hall of the cave.

There were several path ways where you have creep in, once you go in, there will be a another huge hall. Likewise there were a lot. But couldn’t go to all the rooms, and because we took only few torch, we were scared if we run out battery, it will be a trouble like hell. If you want to experience the word “DARK’ then you should go there.

Make sure you take extra batteries and touch light that spread the light around, something like a lamp. At at-least take few of them. Since the cave is huge, if the light doesn’t spread around you won’t be able to see the beauty. And if take flash for your camera if you taking photos inside.

Path way to the next hall

Snake like drawing is on the wall

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.	Andiri Lena Cave – Click Image to Enlarge

Click Map to Enlarge

More photos can be found at my Facebook Page.

I have attached the KML also.