Dowa Rock Temple

"The temple is believed to have been constructed by King Valagamba in the in first century BC and is one of many temples built by the king while taking refuge in Uva Province after a South India invasion of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. The temple dates back over 2000 years.The temple has gain popularity mainly due to its massive 38 feet Buddha Statue carved in the granite rock. Behind the stupa, inside the cave is a tunnel called the Ravana Guhawa guarded by a figure of a Clay King Cobra. This 11 km long tunnel is said to be connecting the Ravana Maha Viharaya at Ella and the Bogoda Raja Maha Viharaya. But unfortunately this tunnel entrance has been sealed off with cement by the temple due to various vandalism acts by treasure hunters. It said that the king disappeared from the area overnight using the the tunnels and thus the working on the Buddha Statue was abruptly stopped.The Image house built inside the cave is full of colorful murals and Buddha Images and consist of 3 chambers. On the sides of the main entrance to the image house is two guardians, one with a elephant in its mouth and the other with a bull in its mouth. It is said to be they are Watuka and Kuvera, two Rakshasa tribal leaders, guarding the entrance to the shrine room."