Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara
දෙගල්දොරුව රජ මහා විහාරය
An 18th-century cave temple from the Kandyan Kingdom, home to the finest Jataka tale murals of the Kandyan school of painting.
Degaldoruwa Temple sits about 5 km northeast of Kandy, across the Mahaweli River. Built in the 18th century by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha, it was carved into a cave beneath a giant boulder. Inside are a reclining Buddha and a seated Buddha, and the walls and ceiling are covered in vivid Jataka tale murals. Some scenes even show demon armies carrying muskets, and the works are regarded as masterpieces of the Kandyan school of painting. Visitors are few, and admission is several hundred rupees. Shoes must be removed, and flash photography is prohibited inside the cave.
Opening hours
About 07:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
- British Garrison Cemetery
- Kandyan Cultural Dance Show
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Kandy National Museum & Royal Palace
- Kandy Lake
- Arthur's Seat Viewpoint
- Kandy Municipal Central Market