Pilgrimage, photography, hiking, sightseeing, wildlife.Hidden amidst the Kudumbigala Wildlife Sanctuary and few miles away from the Kudumbigala Forest Hermitage are the remains of an ancient monastery lost to the time and the jungle.Ruins scattered over nearly 60 acres of jungle speaks volumes of its glory days but nothing moves a devotee other than the 36 feet reclining Buddha statue of Bambaragasthalawa. Built inside a cave, which had protected it from the hardships of nature, the giant statue made out of a mixture of clay and lime had succumbed to the malice of humans, who have dig in its head, feet and mid sections in search of treasure.

The drip ledged cave, which house the statue of Buddha and Buddha statue itself is believed to have been built between fourth and eighth century yet the history of the monastery starts in the regime of King Gotabhaya who ruled the country in the years of 249-262 A.D.  However a 200 feet long  cave with partitioned interiors and plastered walls carries the inscription, which states  that it is named ‘nagapawathasenasana ‘ and was built by a donor called ‘Mithra’.  The cave is situated on the edge of a rock precipice, affording a spectacular view around and is believed to be the first cave constructed in this monastery. Worshipping halls, preaching halls, alms halls and toilet and bath facilities had been built in rock and bricks and decorated in subtle brick and masonry work and still remain in ruins amidst the monastery grounds, which now does not even have a direct road reachable by feet. Nearly ten ruined stupa stands  on the rock cliffs facing the South-eastern beaches in the fourth century and would have been the white beacons beckoning seafarers of a country, whose land is filled with saffron robed monks and people who follows an age old Dhamma.