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Sithulpawwa Rock Temple

69 Reviews

#6 of 21 things to do in Tissamaharama

Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sacred & Religious Sites, Sights & Landmarks

Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka

+94 47 2 237375

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Overview

Sithulpawwa rock temple is historically significant and identified as one of the greatest 2nd century sites of Buddhist scholarship. With a history of over 2200 years, this is an ancient place of worship in the Hambantota district. The modern name Sithulpawwa is derived from the ancient ‘Cittalpabbata’, ‘The hill of the quiet mind’.

4.5

69 reviews

Excellent57%
Very good30%
Average13%
Poor0%
Terrible0%

Travelers talk about

“top of the rock” (3 reviews)

“wild animals” (8 reviews)

“yala national park” (12 reviews)

Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours

LOCATION

Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka

CONTACT

Website

+94 47 2 237375

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1 - 10 of 65 reviews

Dinali A

Gampaha, Sri Lanka

6713

Reviewed 15 July 2018 via mobile

Worth the climb.

A temple situatued in the boundaries of Yala, Sithulpawwa is a temple known for the view it offers after the climb. Not to miss is the wildlife you witness in the temple. However, a visit at night cannot be recommended.

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Roman V

472

Reviewed 19 June 2018 via mobile

Nice temple and nature

Have to visit this temple. Nice way to climbing up but dont worry not so difficult. You can also climb up to visit Budha and nice nature and rocks view. Nice temple view. You should be climb up without shoes and with paints no shorts....More

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Nishantha B

Reviewed 24 April 2018

Great Historic Place

This is very nice place with historic ruins. Climbing to small sithulpawwa is not easy task, but very nice view from the top. You may see large Crocodiles even on the way as mentioned in the boards. Loved it..

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Thar_M88

Colombo, Sri Lanka

164

Reviewed 6 February 2018

Historical Temple

Temple is located on a part of Yala national park. Sithulpawwa has a great history over 2000 years . History says there were 12000 arahant monks resided here around 1st century. Temple has cave complex and ruins belong to Anuradhapura era.

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Harrisuk2000

London, United Kingdom

Reviewed 16 November 2017 via mobile

A well worth visit

Seeing that we were the only people visiting the temple around 4-5pm, it has given me enthusiasm to kick start my TripAdvisor account with my first review. We think people are MISSING OUT here, the temple is great to see and walking to the top...More

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Rasika B

Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

10547

Reviewed 13 November 2017

Facinating View Around the Area from Top of the Rock

It was around 17 km from Kataragama town. The road was via Yala sanctuary and the road was very dusty, but not that bad. If carefully driven, can go with any vehicle. There also were animals in the sanctuary by the road. Has a large...More

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Thishanie D

Colombo, Sri Lanka

739

Reviewed 24 October 2017

An ancient temple..

This place is hidden away in the midst of the Yala National Park and the journey to the temple premises itself was a good experience with bumping into various wild animals through out.. There is historic importance in the temple and the surroundings and the...More

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Gauri_myk

Pune, India

Reviewed 18 October 2017

Good visit

We visited here along with our stay in Yala, very good place for you to learn much about buddhism and what it represents.

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Kriskatsat

Wellington, New Zealand

199

Reviewed 8 October 2017 via mobile

Sithulpawwa

Enjoyed our visit but as we weren't appropriately advised and we visited with out a guide which was a mistake as the place has a very little signage and it is all in Sinhalese. Guides have to be pre booked. Hope to revisit one day...More

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Pasan M

Sri Lanka

609

Reviewed 4 October 2017

A great journey through the forest

The temple is situated on a huge rock. The place has prehistoric importance. As the temple is situated inside a thick forest, the road to the temple is little difficult and the road is not refurbished with tar. On the way to the temple you...More

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Questions & Answers

790sunethra

I want to know whether the road to Sithulpawwa is refurbished with tar?

12 June 2017|

Answer

I went there last year. But the road was not refurbished with tar. I don't think that would happen as the road runs near a wildlife sanctuary. So refurbishing the road with tar is not expected.