Thanthirimale
තන්තිරිමලේ
A rock-cut ancient temple about 35 km north of the city, with a large reclining Buddha and seated Buddha carved into boulders, as well as prehistoric rock paintings. It has a strong rural atmosphere.
Thanthirimale is said to be where Princess Sanghamitta stopped while carrying a branch of the sacred Bodhi tree to Sri Lanka. The temple grounds include one of the earliest offshoots of the sacred Bodhi tree. Spread across large flat granite surfaces are a 12 m long rock-carved reclining Buddha, a meditating seated Buddha, the ruins of an ancient library and monks' cells, and prehistoric paintings in caves. Few visitors come here. It suits a half-day trip by hired car or tuk-tuk and can be combined with routes toward Wilpattu. The rock surfaces get very hot at midday, so it is best to visit early in the morning or late in the day.
Opening hours
About 06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Mahasena's Palace Moonstone
- Eth Pokuna (Elephant Pond)
- Abhayagiri Vihāra
- Lankarama
- Samadhi Statue
- Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)
- Thuparamaya
- Mirisawetiya Stupa