Things to do in Kurunegala

The atmospheric ruins of an ancient forest hermitage of meditating monks, set in cool woodland north of Kurunegala.

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.

A large ancient reservoir on the edge of the town centre, with a lakeside path and views across the water to the elephant rock.

A pretty Kandyan-style temple at a road junction north-west of Kurunegala, famous for its carved wooden pillars and huge ornate doorway.

The overgrown ruins of a 12th-century royal capital, with a moated citadel, palace foundations, stupas and a restored tooth-relic shrine.

A 2nd-century BCE cave temple near Ridigama, named for the silver ore discovered here, with fine Kandyan murals and Dutch-tile decoration.

A dramatic medieval rock citadel crowned by an ornate ceremonial staircase, once a royal capital and home of the sacred Tooth Relic.