Pahiyangala Cave & Temple

Pahiyangala Cave

Pahiyangala Cave, also known as Fa Hien Cave, is located in the district of Kalutara, Western Province, Sri Lanka, and was named after an alleged historical resident, Buddhist monk Faxian, according to a rural legend (also Fa-Hien, or Fa Hsien). This legend, however, is not supported by archaeological or historical evidence. Nonetheless, the site is archaeologically significant due to the discovery of Late Pleistocene human fossilized skeletal remains in the cave’s sediments during excavations in the 1960s, 1980s, and 2013.

An exciting feature of this cave is its entrance which is semi-circular in shape. It is believed the south-western winds blowing in the direction had made the stone hollow. Surprisingly, no water blows into the cave despite the absence of a drip ledge on its brow, as in the case of other shelters intended for occupation. A footpath away from the cave leads to a natural pond that never dries up even in times of severe drought.

The cave is 400 feet above sea level, 175 feet high, and more than 200 feet long at its entrance. This cave is thought to be large enough to accommodate 3000 people. The natural tunnels that run through the caves are now blocked and inaccessible. The cave is divided into four sections, with the left side cave being the largest and located in the centre. The Archaeological Department has dug a deep pit for an excavation. Archaeologists discovered five human skulls in this pit, which were carbon-dated to be 37,000 years old in the United States. During the excavation, some stone and animal bone weapons were also discovered. It has been discovered that these were used to kill monkeys, deer, porcupines, and other animals. They’ve also consumed acavus, a type of edible snail, and wild breadfruit.

Biologically, this cave dweller known as Pahiyangala Manawakaya (Pahiyangala Man) had a short vertebral structure, wide jaw bones, a large palette, and large grinding teeth.

Buddha Statue

The cave was converted to a Buddhist monastery during the Kandyan period. A small door inside the cave leads to another area enclosing a very large reclining Buddha. The beautiful statue, covered in gold, is a sight to behold. Another small door leads to yet another cave that is infested with bats.

The shrine room has several Buddha images surrounding a central one that depicts the Buddha seated under a naga. The walls of the cave are covered with murals of the Kandy era. The murals are relatively well preserved, attributed by the incumbent monks that water never enters the cave even in times of heavy rain.