MADUNAGALA CAVES, Pilamagala, Pillamagala

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The jungle hermitage Madunagala (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 69) and about 90 or more caves (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 253; 1983: 255-256) of dubious nature are known from the rocky mass of Pilamagala (also: Pillamagala) or –>Karambagala: Local legend has it that arhats (saints) had lived in these caves in years gone by. SITUATION 1: Approaching from Ambalantota (note 1), cross over the bridge over the broad Walawe Ganga… At a busy junction [Dehigahalande junction?] ahead is a road to the left which leads to… Ridiyagama… [delicious curd and treacle, large and beautiful tank]… Beyond this tank are the murals discovered in the Karambagala cave. Still further beyond is the jungle hermitage of Madunagala and the hot springs of Mahapalessa (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 69). SITUATION 2: Not very far from the highway that links Embilipitiya with the south, and on the right bank of the Wellawaya river, stand two rocky sentinels, Karambagala and Pillamagala. The former [the latter?] consists of a group of inety caves or more … Lilanagala [note 2] lies to the north of Karambagala. The two rocky masses may be approached from Siyambalagoda, about halfway between Embilipitiya and Nonagama on the south coast road. At Siyambalagoda there is a turn-off to the east, which leads to the river crossing at Bedigantota. From here a footpath leads to Mahapelessa where there are hot springs. At Mahapelessa the path divides: north to Pillamagala [also: Pilamagala] and south-east to Karambagala. The same track, via the hamlet of Habaraduwa, may also be used to visit both cave sites (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 253; 1983: 255-256).inety caves or more … Lilanagala [note 2] lies to the north of Karambagala. The two rocky masses may be approached from Siyambalagoda, about halfway between Embilipitiya and Nonagama on the south coast road. At Siyambalagoda there is a turn-off to the east, which leads to the river crossing at Bedigantota. From here a footpath leads to Mahapelessa where there are hot springs. At Mahapelessa the path divides: north to Pillamagala [also: Pilamagala] and south-east to Karambagala. The same track, via the hamlet of Habaraduwa, may also be used to visit both cave sites (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 253; 1983: 255-256).