This rock temple, dating from the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (r 247–207 BC), has some very fine carvings. Best known of the sculptures is the ‘lovers’, which dates from around the 5th century AD and is built in the artistic style of the Indian Gupta dynasty of the 4th and 5th centuries. There is a lovely lotus pond in front.
Other images (including one of elephants playfully splashing water) remain in situ on the rock face but most carvings have been moved into a small museum within the temple.
