Pilikuttuwa – ancient forest monastery in Western Province By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated off the beaten track, yet, located approximately 3.5 kilometers from Colomb-Kandy Road, Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Cave Temple situated in Pilikuththuwa, located in *Gampaha – Wathurugama Road.  “Pilikuttuwa”, often spelt “Pilikuththuwa” or “Pilikuttuva” is the most picturesque rock temple in Gampaha District and situated approximately 35 kilometers from commercial capital Colombo and Colombo International Airport.  Although, not a popular tourist destination, Pilikuttuwa is an enchanting place. The forest monastery known as “Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Viharaya” or “Pilikuttuwa Rajamaha Vihara” is situated amidst a large forest in close proximity to Maligathenna Temple, the highest hill in Gampaha District.  The forest monastery is one of the temples with the highest number of ancient monastic rock caves in Sri Lanka. There are 99 monastic caves with ancient drip ledges (“kataram” in Sinhala), cut above the opening of the ...

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