Yapahuwa is the historical city of Sri Lanka that is located finely on the Kurunegala – Anuradhapura highway in Wayamba state. Sri Lanka is blessed with many cities full of wonders and duly recognized by the world. On the contrary, Yapahuwa is a less known and less explored place. However, the unspoiled serenity of the place is what makes it a desirable destination in Sri Lanka. This is one of the reasons why most tourists tend to overlook this picturesque city. This is also the reason why it is loved by tourists who visit the city. The local population knows its glory well. The city has been blessed with the intriguing elegance of the past, making it a sought-after destination in Sri Lanka. The place is adorned with enigmatic glories of the past, but some of the most interesting are mentioned below so that travelers can get a sense of the relevance and elegance of the city.
The Rock Fortress Complex: it is the main attraction of the place, as it stands as the most striking ruin present to date in Sri Lanka. Being the most striking attraction, it also won the title of best archaeological site in the country. It is often compared to the Rock Fortress at Sigiriya and is considered more significant and attractive than that mainly due to the enigmatic granite rock that has a spectacularly shaped stupa head. The fascinating head of the stupa at the top of the fort appears to be the head of the Buddha. It is said that the fortress used to be a monastery that provided shelter for Buddhist monks. A Bodhi tree and a rock cave in the fortress are the evidences to show that it was an ancient refuge for the monks. Apart from this, there are also other caves at the foot of this giant rock that beautifies the fortress. Each of the caves has its own attractive features that attract visitors.
Padeniya Raja Mahavihara: It is a temple that dates back to medieval times. The temple with its elegant ornaments has some intricately carved pillars and a brilliantly chiseled entrance. This superbly designed entrance to the main shrine is the largest present gate in Sri Lanka.
Aukana Buddha: It is an important site that displays a 12 m high sculpture of Lord Buddha. The sculpted image of Buddha has been standing since the 5th century. This tall sculpture has been given the name ‘sun that eats’ sculpture mainly because it gives the illusion that Buddha eats the sun every morning when the sun’s rays fall on the image. As the name suggests, sunrise is the perfect time to witness the illusion of Buddha devouring the sun.
