Carved into a rock outcrop beside a lotus pond, this 3rd-century BCE temple is best known for a stone carving of a couple seated in a relaxed embrace, thought by some scholars to depict Prince Saliya and a commoner he married against royal wishes. A small museum beside the cave temple displays this and other Anuradhapura-era stone reliefs. At 30-45 minutes, it works well slotted between larger visits rather than as a standalone destination.
What It Is
You enter a cool rock-cut chamber with a reclining Buddha statue, then step outside to a courtyard where a pond mirrors the rock face above. Stone elephants appear to wade out of the rock itself near the water's edge.
Why Visit
The stone carvings here show a softer, more human side of ancient Sinhalese art compared to the scale-focused stupas elsewhere in the city. It is not the first thing you should see in Anuradhapura, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Nuwarawewa Reservoir - add it before or after without rearranging your day. Afternoon tends to work best here.
More on Anuradhapura
It is in the Tissawewa & Lake District part of Anuradhapura. It is one entry in our list of things to do in Anuradhapura. The Anuradhapura guide covers transport, costs and when to go.
We plan trips to Anuradhapura and the rest of Sri Lanka. Tell us your dates and we will put a route together. Our routes are on the tours page.
