Ravana Cave

Ravana cave and tunnel network is a massive creation by King Ravana located in Ella Sri Lanka connected with cities/dairy farms & airports. It is proved beyond doubt of the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. Ravana caves & tunnel network is one of the most important Ramayana tour-related sites in Sri Lanka.

According to Ramayana proofs of Sri Lanka, these tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and as a secret passage. After careful analysis, it can easily be understood that these tunnels are man-made and not natural formations. Existing tunnel mouths are situated in lsthripura at Welimada, Ravana cave at Bandarawela, Sinhapitiya at Halagala, Ramboda, Labookellie, Wariyapola / Matale and Sita Kotuwa / Hasalaka. In addition, there are many more tunnel openings. This most prominent ramayana site can be accessed by turning off 3km from Ella on Wellawaya road. Then Go up 2km to Ravana Ella temple. Trek uphill about 2km.

Travelling from Ella on the Wellawaya road, a small sign board marks the turn off to the Sita Cave, considered to be the abode of the princess in the Ramayana. The legend of the epic battle between Rama and Ravana goes that the Lankan King took his royal captive and fled to the Uva region from his capital of Ravana Kotte believed to be somewhere near modern day Nuwara Eliya, when Rama invaded the island along with his army. Here, it is said that Princess Sita was kept captive in a cave. Therefore these Ravana Cave site is one of the very important Ramayana proof in Sri Lanka.

Today that cave could be visited after a short hike of around 500 meters. Other caves with similar colourful legends have revealed far more scientifically important information regarding early human habitation of the country, the Sita cave might be such a treasure trove given that it is geologically a medium-sized structure which would have been easily capable of sheltering several dozen primitive humans, long before the arrival of Sita. There might be little sign of Sita inside its dark hollows, but the cave named for the Indian princess offers a wonderful hike through shrub forests with some great views of the Ella Gorge along one of its precipices.