Pidurangala Cave Temple Complex -Dad and Son Travel Sri Lanka | පිදුරන්ගල රජමහා විහාරය | Travel

Dad and Son travel-Pidurangala Cave Temple.
This is an initiative to fill the gap to search and explore the hidden aspect of famous destinations of Sri Lanka. Basically this "Son and Dad travelling" idea was born in my Son's mind, which studies in Grade 7. He is keen in Sri Lankan History, Customs and traditions. He was looking for some contents according to his school syllabus ,age and capacity which was lack of details in Youtube.
So he requested me to do some on location videos which can give simple understanding and knowledge to those students in Grade 7,Grade 8 ,Grade 9,Grade 10 and Grade 11.
In this, I took the reference of Sri Lankan school History syllabus and tried to make some practical visits to those places and give information in simplified manner. Pidurangala came as one results of that attempt.
I wish that this piece of information will help to the students and those who love to search about Sri Lankan History.
Not only that I hope this will help for the Site guides, Provincial and National tour Guides who are looking for some additional information.
Pidurangala (පිදුරන්ගල රජමහා විහාරය) is located 1.5 km north of Sigiriya. It is very popular because of the reclining Buddha statue and the cave temple complex. Cave inscriptions dating to the 3rd and 1st centuries BC are found in the caves. On the north slope of the rock there is a path with steps leading up to the top.
Pidurangala, caves (Guha), drip-ledged caves (Lena), monasteries (Arama), and cave image house of Buddha (Len Vihara) can all be seen in one place. Inside the cave temple is a reclining Buddha statue made of brick, clay and lime mortar. Also, among the monk’s chambers (Sngha Kuti) are stone clay walls, brick clay walls, and clay plaster. Cave inscriptions from the 3rd to the 1st century BC attest to the existence of a monastery (Arama) at Pidurangala.
It has been popularly known as “Dalha” during the time of King Kasyapa I (05th AD). There are many features of Mahayana architecture. At the same time a “Pancha Wasa” (Five of dice) can be seen at the northern boundary of Pidurangala rock. There is also a rock inscription belonging to the 6th and 7th centuries AD near the monks' chambers (Sngha Kuti) on the upper floor. King Kasyapa built a temple and placed gold on the rock and offered it to the monks. Since then, the monastery complex has been popularly known as the "Sacred Gold Stone" (Pidu…Ran…Gala). In addition, according to archaeologists, the paintings belong to the 12th century.
The early morning sun rising in the east is one of the most spectacular sights to be seen on this rock. Moreover, the misty Sigiriya is reminiscent of Kuvera's Alakamanda (Devine in charge of wealth). The mountains, paddy fields, plantations and the Sigiriya forest all around the top of the
rock bring refreshment to the mind as well as the body.