Hidden away in Kandy's leafy outskirts is the little visited Degal Doruwa Raja Maha Vihara cave temple. Constructed (with the help of some obliging boulders) in the 18th Century the interior of the cave is painted head to toe in slightly faded but utterly captivating murals that comprise some fine Kanyan era paintings depicting scenes from the Jataka stories (tales from the previous lives of the Buddha).
In amongst these are some out of place paintings depicting men with guns which are likely to have been inspired by the first guns to have arrived in Sri Lanka. Alongside the paintings is a large reclining Buddha. Visitors are likey to be shown around by one of the five resident monks.
Entrance is by donation.
