Rakkhiththakanda Len Viharaya Cave Temple

The Hill Country


The rock face around this remote and little-visited cave temple, which is signed off the road to Wellawaya, is covered in faded Kandyan-era paintings including one of the British Royal coat of arms. Inside, the paintings are in far better condition and completely cover all the walls. There's also a reclining Buddha. It's 21km south of Ella.

On poya days a large number of monks and villagers come here to meditate, but outside these times it's very quiet with just one monk in residence.