Mulkirigala Rock Temple or the Raja Maha Viharaya can be reached coming along Beliatta -Weeraketiya main road and turning off at Mulkirigala Junction. The temple is situated 2 kM from the Mulkirigala Junction. One can reach Beliatta Town from either Dikwella or Tangalla.

Mulkirigala Rock Temple History

The Rock of Mulkirigala rises about 676 feet from the surrounding land mass. There are seven cave temples situated in five Terraced areas of different altitudes. They are the Lower Terrace (Patha Maluwa), Bo Tree Terrace ( Bodhi Maluwa). Great King's Temple Terrace ( Raja Maha Vihara Maluwa), Upper Bo Tree Terrace (Uda Bodhi Maluwa) and Chetiya Terrace (Chaitya Maluwa). These terraces can be accessed comfortably through well paved granite paths and steps going right upto the Dagoba Terrace.

Situated in Giruwa Pattu of Hambanthota District of Southern Sri Lanka, Mulkirigala is also called as Mulgirigala but the former is more prominently used at present. There are many earlier names used for this rock temple such as 'Samudda Pabbatha", 'Muhunadra Giri', 'Muhudu Giri', 'Giriba Vehera', 'Giriba Lena', 'Dhakkina Giri', 'Dakkina Pabbatha', 'Muwatirigala', 'Mukirigalla' and 'Mulangiriya'.

The Bo tree at the Upper Terrace is considered be a shoot from one of the 32 saplings of Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maga Bodhi planted at the said terrace during the rein of King Devanam Piyatissa. Mulkirigala temple is also considered to be one of the 64 temples constructed by King Kawantissa and was called as 'Muhudu Gira' then which dates back to the 3rd Century BC . The Chetiya at Uppermost Terrace is considered to house Lord Buddha relics offered by the King Saddhatissa. According to Historical manuscripts, King Mahanaga, King Kawantissa, King Dutugemunu, King Parakramabahu the Great, King Saddhatissa, King Valagamba, King Jetta Tissa I, King Parakramabahu I are credited with construction work of the temple during their rein.

The temples remaining at present belongs to the Kandyan era and the Buddha images and many cave paintings depicts magnificent examples of Kandyan era arts and crafts. Mulkirigala Rock Temple is one of the few 'Raja Maha Vihara' or the 'Temples of the Great Kings' ( of the Kandyan Kingdom) found out of the then Kandyan Kingdom. King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 AD) gave his patronage to reconstruct this temple after it being neglected for centuries since the rein of the Parakramabahu the Great.

The Cave temples numbering seven consists of Reclined Buddha , Seated Buddha and Standing Buddha Images, paintings of Buddhas, Arhaths, Gods and Jataka Stories.

Along the path to Lower Terrace

The main entrance to the temple premises is at the surrounding ground level. Passing a Pilgrim's rest and the Sanghavasa where the monks reside, the path leads towards the Lower Terrace and the Ticket office. Here one can see the cave of Lord Chulla Tissa, bearing early Brahmi scripts belonging to 2nd Century BC. Turning to left near the cave takes one to the Lower Terrace area.

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Lower Terrace with Two Cave Temples -Terrace #1, Cave #1, Cave #2

Passing the Bo Tree and proceeding further, one comes to the First Cave temple. This is called as the Cobra Cave Temple of the Great King. This temple is considered to be built in 1808 AD just as the English concurred the country. There is a large Reclined Buddha statue in this cave temple. There are paintings of God Saman, God Kataragama, God Vishnu, and God Vibhishana on temple walls. The cave's roof area is having paintings of the 24 Buddhas and Floral designs. The second cave called as ' Paduma Rahath ' temple also have a large Reclining Buddha image. There is a small painted Dagoba found inside the cave with Jataka Stories of Thelapatta and Vessantara painted on the inside of the built in front wall. This cave is connected to an Arhat Bikku of an earlier time as the name implies.

 

Path leading to Bodhiya Terrace or Bodhi Maluwa

Coming back towards the Cave with Inscriptions and Ticket Office, and going straight along the path with sections of steps takes one towards the second terraced temple. This path shows a section of the Rock face quite clearly. Halfway through, opposite the Resting Building, the steep section of steps leads to the terrace area. There is a rock with 6-7 Century AD inscription near this inter section.

 

 

Bo Tree Terrace - Cave Terrace # 2, Cave # 3

This small sized cave consists of a Reclined Buddha statue with Arhat Sariputta and Arhat Moggallana images by the two sides of the Buddha image. Seated and Standing Buddha figures also can be found here. The wall paintings depicting some important incidences of Lord Buddha's life are also of interest. Many paintings have been given titles here and amongst them are the 'Anotatta Vila',' Uturu Kuru Divayina' , and 'Birth of Prince Siddartha' at Lumbini. A place to worship Gods also can be seen at one side of the temple.

 

 

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Cave Terrace #3, Cave # 4- Parana Viharaya

Climbing up the stone steps and coming through the Vahalkada, the terrace containing the last four cave temples can be observed. Coming through the Vahalkada and going straight towards the doorway, is to the 'Parana Viharaya' or the Old Temple. This is the oldest of the four temples found here hence called by that name.There is a stone doorway to enter the inner shrine which is dated back to 1849 AD. The stone doorway is carved with a design of floral decorations and squirrels. The Sleeping or the Reclined Buddha image is highly decorative with minute details containing the kandyan era Buddhist sculpturing. There are standing Buddha images numbering eight by the side of the head position with Abaya Mudra. Paintings of 'Sath Sathiya' and 'Solosmasthana' or the sixteen places sanctified by the Lord Buddha can be found in this cave temple. Kandyan era wooden column decorations also can be seen here.