Pidurangala Rock

Ancient Monastery and Buddha Statue

In the 5th century, when King Kashyapa built his fortress at Sigiriya, he moved the monks meditating there to Pidurangala and established a monastery. At the foot lies the ancient Pidurangala temple, and partway up the rock there's a notable 14-meter reclining Buddha statue tucked under an overhang, marking this as a site of religious significance for centuries.

Spectacular Sunrise Views

The hike up Pidurangala is relatively short (20–30 minutes) but can be challenging near the top with boulder scrambling required. Once you emerge on the summit, you're greeted with a panoramic view – and right in front, towers the majestic Sigiriya Rock at eye level! The view is spectacular, especially at sunrise when Sigiriya appears silhouetted against pink and orange skies. On misty mornings, Sigiriya seems to float on clouds – a mystical, photographer's dream.

Visiting Tips

Entrance fee is a fraction of Sigiriya's cost. Wear proper shoes and be ready to use hands for final ascent. Bring flashlight for pre-dawn sunrise climbs. It's much quieter than Sigiriya with just a handful of travelers. Many combine Pidurangala at sunrise with Sigiriya later in the morning. From the summit you can see Sigiriya, lush forests, villages, and distant hills in a 360-degree perspective.