Dighapashana Cave (Sudassana Padhanagaraya) — Attraction in Sri Lanka

Dighapashana (also known as Deegapashana) is an extensive rock outcrop in Anuradhapura, stretching over 10 kilometers. It begins near present-day Vessagiriya—historically the true Isurumuniya before a naming mix-up—and extends through Ranmasu Uyana, the Abhayagiri Monastery, and beyond the northern boundary of the ancient Vijayarama Monastery.

Throughout history, this rock formation has been referred to by various names, including “Digupahana” and “Digugalvila.” Research indicates that settlements existed along this rock as early as the Early Iron Age (1200 BCE – 600 BCE), with caves appearing at different points along its length. Additionally, numerous ancient quarries along the formation highlight its role as a primary source of granite for the Buddhist structures of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

The rock cave complex known as the Digapashana Caves, also referred to as Sudassana Patanagharaya, is located approximately 500 meters west of the Abhayagiri Stupa. This complex consists of nine caves with drip ledges, currently undergoing excavation and restoration. Researchers have determined that Buddhist monks inhabited these caves even before the reign of King Vatta Gamini Abhaya (King Walagamba).

The site exhibits evidence of four distinct cultural phases. The lowest soil strata of the excavation reveal holes used for erecting wooden pillars, indicating an early human settlement with a simple way of life. Over time, as the location transformed into a monastic residence, it underwent multiple renovations and expansions, continuing until the end of the Anuradhapura period (10th century AD).

To visit the site, travel west from Abhayagiri Stupa along Watawandana Road until you find a signboard on the right pointing toward Sudassana Patanagharaya. The Deegapashana Rock can be seen rising slightly on the left, disappearing beneath the road, and re-emerging on the right. From this point, follow the footpath along the rock outcrop for about 100 meters to reach the Padhanaghara cave complex.

Despite its historical significance, this site remains largely unknown and is rarely visited...

Dighapashana Cave, also known as Sudassana Padhanagaraya, is an extraordinary historical and spiritual site nestled within the Mihintale range—one of the most sacred locations in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage. This ancient rock cave is steeped in profound significance, believed to have served as a meditation retreat for Arahant Mahinda Thero, the revered monk who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE.

What makes Dighapashana Cave so special is not just its antiquity, but the atmosphere it carries—quiet, contemplative, and deeply sacred. Carved naturally into the rock, the cave remains relatively untouched, preserving the raw essence of early monastic life. Standing within its cool stone walls, one can easily imagine the deep meditative silence that once filled this space, as enlightened beings sought spiritual awakening amidst the serenity of nature.

The name “Dighapashana” itself translates to “long rock,” a reference to the cave’s elongated form, while “Sudassana Padhanagaraya” signifies a “splendid meditation dwelling”—a title that beautifully captures its timeless purpose. This site is a powerful reminder of the island’s ancient dedication to the Dhamma and the disciplined lifestyle led by early monks.

Visiting Dighapashana Cave is more than a historical encounter—it is a journey into the heart of Sri Lanka’s spiritual beginnings. It’s a must-visit for those who appreciate quiet reflection, historical depth, and the enduring strength of...

අතීතයේ අනුරාධපුර යුගයේ ගල්ගුහා හා පරිසර කළමනාකරණය පිළිබඳ අවබෝධ කරගත හැකි කදිම ස්තානයකි. එකම ගල් ගුහාවක් තුල කාමර සකස් කරමින් එවාට ඇතුළු වීමට ගලින් කරවූ පඩි පෙල්ද දක්නට ලැබේ.සක්මන් මලුවක්ද දැක ගත හැකිය. පස්වලින් වැසී තිබූ මෙම ගුහාව මෑත කාලයේ කැනීම් කර සොයාගත් නිසා සෙනරත් පරණවිතාන සර්ගේ විග්‍රහයක් මේහා සම්බන්ධයෙන් නොමැත. ගුහාව ඉදිරිපිට තවත් ඉදිකිරීම් ඇති අතර මූත්‍රා ගල්ද පසකින් දැක ගත හැක. ගුහාවේ මධ්‍යයේ පිහිටි ගලෙහි මතුපිට බ්‍රාහ්මීය අක්ෂර වලින් ලියන ලද සෙල්ලිපියකි.රහතන් වහන්සේලා භාවනා යෝගීව සිටි බවට දැනට පවතින මතයයි. කෙසේ නමුත් අතීතයේ අනුරාධපුර යුගයේ ගල්ගුහා හා පරිසර කළමනාකරණය පිළිබඳ අවබෝධ කරගත හැකි කදිම ස්තානයකි.

It is a great place to learn about the caves and environmental management of the Anuradhapura period. In the same cave, steps made of stone to enter the rooms are also seen. A suitcase can also be seen. Since this cave, which was covered with soil, was recently excavated and discovered, there is no analysis of Senarat Paranavithana sir in this regard. There are other constructions in front of the cave and mutra stones can also be seen from the ground. On the surface of the stone in the center of the cave is an inscription written in...