Searching of Kukuluwa Temple (කුකුළුවා විහාරය)

Kukuluwa Temple is situated on top of Nirieli Kanda නිරිඇලි කන්ද (1500feet) in Rathnapura District at Ayagama (අයගම) area. There are three pathways to reach this temple; two of them are foot pathways. Even along other road also needs a good four wheel vehicle to reach the temple. Climbing to this temple is a nice experience and it reminds me the Kuruwita trail of Sri Pada. There for I decided to share my experience with others.

Approaching to Kukuluwa Temple. Black star shows the temple
1. Red arrow shows the footpath from Samanpura.
2. Black arrow shows the footpath from Pimbura.
3. Blue arrow shows the road from Niriella.

Historical back ground of Kukuluwa Temple.
This is the oldest cave temple of Kukulu region (කුකුළු කෝරලේ). It is believed King Walagamba (වළගම්බා රජතුමා) has stayed here following the war and then he built this temple. But there are no historical evidences for this. Second thought is this temple belongs to Kotte period and archeologists have accepted it.
As it is situated in “Kukulu Korale” කුකුළු කෝරලේ, it is called Kukuluwa temple. But it’s previous name was “Kanaththe Gal Len Wiharaya” කනත්තේ ගල්ලෙන් විහාරය.

How to approach Kukuluwa Temple.
Three ways:

1. You can reach Samanpura (සමන් පුර) from Kalawana via Rajjuwaththa (රජ්ජුවත්ත) by bus (Half an hour journey) then have to climb up about 3-4km. (1.5-2 hour climbing). The foot pathway is clear, scenic and has to cross few water streams.
2. You can reach Pimbura (පිඹුර) from Kalawana or Idangoda (ඉඩන්ගොඩ) by bus (Pimbura is situated in between Kalawana and Idangoda) and then follow the foot pathway towards the temple. This foot pathway joins with the path from Samanpura. It has less distance but less scenic.
3. You can reach the temple from Niriella (නිරිඇල්ල). There is a gravel road from Niriella to the temple only can be driven by good four wheel vehicle.

Journey to Kukuluwa Temple from Samanpura.

Starting of the journey from Samanpura.

It shows the direction. Then the road became a narrow foot pathway.

Water stream to be crossed.

Climbing up.

Wattle and dub houses are still common in this area.

Direction.

Surrounding beauty.

Beautiful foot pathway.

Climbing up.

Getting a bend.

Steps……

Kind request.

Nice place to have a bath. But don’t bath here. It is for drinking purpose.

Single beauty.

First glimpse of the temple.

After 2hour journey we reached the temple. As it was an ancient temple, it was attacked by treasurer hunters in various occasions. Nowadays it is hard to see ancient things at this temple premises. Only one Buddhist priest is there. He was very kind to show us the temple.

The cave temple. This is around 450feet long cave and it has two compartments. One is an image house and other one is for “Dewalaya” දේවාලය.

Entering to the image house.

Inside of the shrine hose. Note the hole in it’s wall. Damaged by treasurer hunters. There is a reclined Buddha statue. This was explored by villagers in 18th century and it was entirely covered with wattle and dub. During Seethawaka Rajasingha (සීතාවක රාජසිoහ) period it was done by villagers for protection from the king and treasurer hunters.

Paintings of the ceiling.

It is getting less light.

Small cave is allocated for “Dewalaya” දේවාලය.

“Gambara Dewiyo” ගම්භාර දෙවියෝ

Natural water spring can be seen on side of the cave making a natural pond.

Scattered ruins.

Steps.

Bo tree and fairly new constructions

Moon stone.

Surrounding view.

Stupa. Can have a nice surrounding view from here.

Bell tower. This has one of largest bell of Sri Lanka and robbed by treasurer hunters. Now it is under police and loudspeakers have replaced it.

“Darma Shalawa” (ධර්ම ශාලාව) -quite old.

It had a statue of a cock on top of the house. It was also robbed by treasurer hunters.

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After visiting about one hour at this temple we followed the same route to come down and got the pathway to Pimbura to descend. On our way back, we had a dip at Pimbura.

Thanks for reading.