Hulan Nuge Tharulengala Rajamaha Viharaya, Lahugala

Hulan Nuge Tharulengala Rajamaha Viharaya, Lahugala

Hulan Nuge Temple- view from far

Hulan Nuge, Tharu lengala temple is famous for two reasons. This temple has one of the oldest reclining Buddha statue made with clay. The other reason is that the Hulannuge cave is considered as the longest natural cave in Asia. This village got its name because of the large Nuga tree, which generate noise when the wind blows.

Location: Hulan Nuge temple is located in Lahugala (A4 road), between Siyabalanduawa and Potuwil. If you are coming from Siyabalanduwa, you need to take a by road towards to your left hand side.

Hulan Nuge Sel Lipiya

Hulan Nuge sel lipiya can be seen on your way to the temple.

Hulan Nuge Tharu Lengala Viharaya

Once you are entered to the temple, you can see main temple cave where the reclining Buddha statue is located. This was made out of clay and bricks. Some parts of the statue was destroyed when for searching for treasure.

Famous Hulan Nuge Buddha Statue

This statue is one of the oldest remaining clay statue in Sri Lanka

Destroyed by the treasure hunters

This temple is believed to be built by king Kavanthissa and in this cave you can see many drawings done by  Vaddhas, Sri Lanka's aboriginal inhabitants.

Hulan Nuge Veddha's Art

Another View of Hulan Nuge Buddha Statue

Hulan Nuge Temple Boo Maluwa

Path to the top for famouse Hulan Nuge caves

To reach the caves, you need to climb up. The path is marked with the arrows painted on trees and rocks. At the initial stage, you will get a steep climbing and Cables are there to hang and get supported. You will find a Buddha statue and a pagoda on your way.

A Natural Pond

Samadhi Buddha Statue

Pagoda

You need to walk walk 700 meters along the foot path to reach the caves. Path is not so clear and flat as always and you need to hang on trees to cross some areas. Fortunately we didn't see any leeches, but some areas of the path occupied by jungle ants. Anyway at the end, your effort will be compensated with what you see there. You will be in the longest cave in South Asia and it's truly lengthy.
You also can see remaining basements of some constructions along this 700 feet long cave.

This is Hulan Nuge cave. Longest in Asia

A section of the Hulan Nuge cave

This temple got its name "Tharu Len Gala" ( Star cave) because of the star mark caved on the top of the cave. Anyway we didn't notice that.