The largest of Kurunegala's animal-shaped rocks, a 300 m granite dome shaped like a crouching elephant, crowned by a temple and giant Buddha statue.

Overview

Ethagala, or Athugala, is the towering rock that dominates Kurunegala, its bulk resembling a kneeling elephant when seen from the town. A road and a footpath climb to the summit, where the Athugala Rajamaha Viharaya and a large white seated Buddha statue look out over the town, the lake and the patchwork of surrounding rocks and paddy. It is the town's signature landmark and its finest viewpoint.

History

The rock is the largest of the cluster of outcrops named for animals that ring Kurunegala, and local legend tells of animals turned to stone during a great drought to save the town's water. A temple has long stood on and around the rock, and the prominent hilltop seated Buddha statue was added in modern times as a landmark over the provincial capital.