Pidurangala Rock Climb

10 August 2023

Pidurangala is a massive rock formation located a few kilometres north of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka. It has an interesting history closely related to that of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Being less grand and far more difficult to climb. Like Sigiriya, Pidurangala was formed by volcanic activity. Whilst Pidurangala appears larger than Sigiriya; its upper surface is steeply sloped and is of solid rock.

The Pidurangala area has been occupied on and off for over two thousand five hundred years by monks who lived in the caves around the site. It really came into prominence when King Kasyapa (477- 495 AD), who built Sigiriya, moved monks living around Sigiriya Rock to a newly refurbished and enlarged temple and monastery here at Pidurangala.The white temple building near the main entrance was built in the 1930s but houses within it a cave temple dating back thousands of years. The temple has objects from various vintages juxtaposed within it reflecting Buddhist, Hindu and even western influences. Once you finally reach the top of Pidurangala Rock you will be greeted by a magnificent vista similar to that from the top of Sigiriya.