Pidurangala rock is a famous hiking spot among the locals and tourists in Sri Lanka that gives an astonishing 360 degree panoramic view of the Sigiriya rock fortress and its surroundings. It is located a few kilometers away from Sigiriya rock.
It is not known for a while by the local or international tourists but now it is visited by a few people for so many reasons including having a better view of the Sigiriya rock fortress and the beautiful surroundings.
So if you are about to pay a visit to Pidurangala rock, here’s a glimpse of everything you need to know before taking the hike!.
History of Pidurangala
The fascinating history of Pidurangala claims to be tied with the Sigiriya rock fortress (Lion Rock). Before king Kashyapa started building the Sigiriya rock fortress, there were monks living around. So he had to relocate them to a new monastery, which is on Pidurangala rock.
While king Kashyapa was moving the monks, he offered them a pile of gold. The abbreviation for pile of gold is Pidurangala in Sinhala. This is where it is believed that the rock got its name from.
The cave temple which is built in this monastery was named as ‘Uppalavanna Kashyapa Giri Viharaya’.
There are a few inscriptions that give records on what happened around the premises and the donation transfer history of the premises. Initially, it highlights that the place was donated by kings to the monks to be used as a monastery and the surroundings as paddy fields.
Relics of older ritual buildings including the cave temple can be seen at the lower terrace as well as the upper terrace. There’s also an archeological museum that you can pay a visit to at the premises that have the antiques from the temple.
Hiking
If you are good and fit at hiking, it will take approximately 30 minutes to climb up. But if you are slow, it will take a little longer (let’s say around 45 minutes to an hour). It all depends on your level of fitness.
The hike begins at the base of the rock, where the ‘Pidurangala Sigiri Raja Maha Viharaya’ is located. There are stairs at the beginning which will make the start easy.
It’s a well maintained trail which is also slightly off the road. This pathway goes through the jungle so the climb has to be taken over the rocks, big tree roots, caves and cliffs. The first stop of the hike will end up leading you to the cave temple ‘Uppalavanna Kashyapa Giri Viharaya’.
Rest of the hike passing the cave temple is quite tricky.
It is more of a clamber where you’ll have to figure out the path on your own over the large cliffs, boulders and rocks. There are some sort of signs painted on rocks showing you guidance to the path but still, it’s better if you can find a way that is easy for you.
If you are an aged person or having any injuries or pains, this part of the climb is not recommended for you. There are some slippery rocks and small wild animals along the way so you have to keep an eye while climbing.
At the end of a quite tiring climb, you’ll enter the main part of the Pidurangala rock. From there, you have to take a small walk on the rock to find the best view that you always wanted to see.
Things to know before climbing Pidurangala rock
First thing that you should know is that this is a paid hike. You have to pay an entrance fee and buy a ticket before climbing.
And since it is a sacred place, make sure that you cover up the shoulders and knees. At the temple of the rock base, you must also remove shoes. For the rest of the hike, you can wear the shoes again and uncover yourself for your comfort after passing the temple grounds.
At the cave temple which is located halfway of the hike, it is not necessary to remove the shoes or cover yourself.
There are no toilets or restrooms along the way to the rock. So be sure that you are all set before starting the hike. Also bring plenty of water with you along with the other necessities. It is recommended to bring a backpack for convenience. You cannot throw away any garbage or plastic around the place and it is strictly prohibited.
How to get to Pidurangala rock
Pidurangala is only a short distance away from Sigiriya town center. There are no buses to go to this place and therefore, the best solution is to get a tuk-tuk ride.
You can also visit this place from Dambulla. It’s quite a long journey so it is better to get a bus from Dambulla city to Sigiriya city and then hire a tuk-tuk from there on. You can also hire a tuk-tuk from Dambulla upto Pidurangala. The driver will agree on both up and down trips and even wait for you until you finish up the hike. But this will cost you a little more.
If you are planning the trip from Colombo, you can either take a bus or hire a private vehicle. The bus journey will be around 3 hours. Make sure that you negotiate the prices and the time duration with the driver before you hire a private vehicle.
Best time to visit
The best time of the year to take a hike to Pidurangala rock is between late December and early April. This is the dry season where there will be no rain at all. So the path will be non-slippery and quite safe for a climb.
It is highly recommended to go up the rock during sunrise or sunset. The stunning scenery with a touch of gold and yellow undertones will make the view worth it. Make sure that you check on the sunrise and sunset timings before the hike. And also since you will be hiking before or after the sunlight, it is highly recommended to take flashlights or headlamps.
Sigiriya Vs. Pidurangala
While Sigiriya rock has its own history to unveil, Pidurangala rock gives the best feels of nature with the stunning view of Sigiriya rock.
The choice between which one to choose is totally up to you. Sigiriya is quite an easy climb, and there are ancient built water fountains, gardens, pools and stone carvings are amazing and breathtaking. If you are fascinated about the history and love old relics, it is a good choice to visit Sigiriya.
Pidurangala, on the other hand, will blow your mind with a beautiful 360 degree view of a natural surrounding including the Sigiriya rock. It is best to take a look at this view during the sunrise or the sunset. It is also very peaceful up there as there are only a few people visiting the place every day compared to Sigiriya. The climb is a little bit challenging but it is worth a visit.
If you really have time and think it is best to give it a shot, go visit both the places and explore the beauty of them.
Opening times and entrance fee
The entrance fee to Pidurangala rock currently stands at LKR 1000 per person. But this might change due to currency rates.
This fee is taken as a part of a donation made to ‘Pidurangala Sigiri Raja Maha Viharaya’. The tickets will be released from 5 am to 6 pm from the ticketing office. These hours are not strict but it is better and safer if you inform the officers about the hours that you are planning to stay at the place.
There are a lot of hotels, lodges and even private homes to stay around Pidurangala. You can go through popular and accurate booking applications and pre book a convenient place under your budget. Also consider the distance and time duration that it will take to reach from the place you stay to Pidurangala rock before you do any bookings.
If you are physically fit to take a once-in-a-lifetime experience, climbing up the Pidurangala rock is so far a good choice. The peaceful feeling from the top of the rock can be hardly explained. You have to feel for yourself. There will be silence except for the wind howling, trees rustling and birds chirping.
The sunrise and sunset are equally magical as the orange and yellow hues will turn the surroundings into a golden scenery with the pop up of Sigiriya rock in the middle.
You will also be able to enjoy the small patches of surrounding jungles, lakes and surrounding villages from the top of the rock. It will be a great memory that you will always cherish. Whether your aim is to capture some good photographs or to soak up nature peacefully for a while, this hike is the best to take, because you know that there are some things in life worth getting up for.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
