The beautiful island of Sri Lanka offers a splendid array of sightseeing attractions for the visitor. In order to visit the many Sri Lanka down South attractions an excellent accommodation in which to stay would be the well reputed Ranna 212. This appealing accommodation is renowned for its quality interiors and gracious hospitality.
The intriguing Mulkirigala rock temples are a historical attraction that will undoubtedly capture the interest of the sightseer. Located on a rocky cliff near the town of Tangalla and surrounded by verdant groves of coconut palms these tranquil temples are situated in a secluded undisturbed setting.
In order to reach these captivating temples the visitor must clamber up a number of steps but the exertion will undoubtedly be worth it. Visitors will reach an array of cave shrines, seven in total situated on no less than five levels in a terraced formation. You will immediately notice a host of sizable Buddha figures sculpted in the reclining position as well as a number of smaller statues in the standing and sitting positions.
Another enthralling feature at Mulkirigala is the amazing wall paintings which depict the fate of sinners who misbehave during their earthly lives and pay the penalty in the afterlife, in the form of tortures and sufferings. Still further up you will find a fairly small stupa; from this location you will enjoy sensational views over the beautiful stretches of country below.
Although in fact temples have existed in this area for millennia the rock temples that you will see at Mulkirigala as well as their engrossing paintings in fact date to the 18th century. In the environs of the rock temples visitors will notice a school for young Buddhist monks. The Mulkirigala site is also significant for having been the location where a British administrator discovered a number of manuscripts in the Pali language from which Sri Lanka’s ancient history was translated into Western languages.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+