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The carved stone staircase and gateway at Yapahuwa, climbing towards a granite rock

North-west

Kurunegala

A hill-ringed town between Colombo and the ancient cities, the gateway to the medieval capitals of Yapahuwa, Dambadeniya and Panduwasnuwara and to the Silver Temple of Ridigama.

Plan a trip with Kurunegala
Time to spend
1 to 2 nights, or a long day from the road to Anuradhapura
Best months
February to September. The inter-monsoon rains from October to November are heaviest.
Getting around
A car with a driver is the practical way; the medieval sites are spread out along country roads.
Good to know
Yapahuwa has a long stone staircase in the open. Go early, carry water and cover shoulders and knees at the temple.

Kurunegala sits among seven great granite rocks, one of which, Ethagala or Elephant Rock, rises over 300 metres above the town and looks like a crouching elephant. For a short period the town itself was a royal capital, and the region around it holds most of the island's medieval capitals.

Yapahuwa lies midway between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura, a citadel built around a granite rock about a hundred metres high, where King Bhuvanekabahu moved the capital from Dambadeniya in 1272 with the Sacred Tooth Relic. Dambadeniya and Panduwasnuwara are older royal sites within easy reach of the town.

The Ridi Viharaya, or Silver Temple, near Ridigama is a temple from the reign of Dutthagamani, where the silver ore for the Ruwanwelisaya is said to have been found. Together these sites make a good day or two on the road between the west coast and the Cultural Triangle.

What to see and do

  • Yapahuwa rock fortress

    DirectionsOpen in Maps

    A 13th-century citadel built around a granite rock rising about a hundred metres from the plain. A steep stone staircase climbs to the ruins of the temple built for the Sacred Tooth Relic.

    2 hr · MorningFee chargedto confirmCover shoulders and kneesDetails

    A ticket is charged at the site. Confirm the amount at the ticket office.

  • Ridi Viharaya (Silver Temple)

    DirectionsOpen in Maps

    A temple from the reign of Dutthagamani, near Ridigama, said to mark where the silver ore for the Ruwanwelisaya stupa was found.

    1 hr · MorningFee chargedto confirmCover shoulders and kneesDetails

    A small fee or donation may be asked. Confirm at the gate.

  • Dambadeniya

    DirectionsOpen in Maps

    The ruins of a capital of Sri Lanka in the mid 13th century, on the Kurunegala to Negombo road.

    1 hr · MorningFee chargedto confirmDetails

    A ticket may be charged. Confirm at the site.

  • Ethagala (Elephant Rock)

    DirectionsOpen in Maps

    A granite rock rising 316 metres over Kurunegala, shaped like a crouching elephant, with a short climb to a viewpoint over the town.

    1 hr · SunsetFree entryDetails

    Open access; confirm any local fee.

  • Panduwasnuwara

    DirectionsOpen in Maps

    An ancient capital known as Parakramapura in the 12th century, when it was ruled by Parakramabahu.

    1 hr · MorningFee chargedto confirmDetails

    A ticket may be charged. Confirm at the site.

Also consider

Nearby places to stay

Photos

A stone lion guarding the stairs at Yapahuwa
A stone lion guarding the stairs at Yapahuwa
The lower flight of steps at Yapahuwa below the great rock
The lower flight of steps at Yapahuwa below the great rock
Ethagala, the Elephant Rock above Kurunegala, seen across a lake
Ethagala, the Elephant Rock above Kurunegala, seen across a lake

Ready-made trips that include Kurunegala

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