Ravana Ella Ancient Temple

This temple is located in the 69A Ravana Ella Grama Niladhari Division in the Ella District Secretariat Division of the Badulla District of the Uva Province.

It is 1½km along the narrow road to the right of the 16km post reached traversing1km past Ella town from Bandarawela on the Ella Wellawaya road.

Legend has it that this temple built in a cave on an escarpment had been originated by King Valagambahu in the 2 c B.C. The cave with a drip-ledge has paintings and sculptures that exhibit the features of  the Kandyan priod.

The roof of the cave has a thin layer of mortar with paintings of circular patterns of lotuses, creeper designs and floral designs. Though the sculptures in the cave temple are ancient it appears that they had been painted with modern day paints. The inner walls and the tiled canopy built to protect the cave from the elements that had undergone decay have been recently restored.

The renowned Ravana Ella Cave is located close by the cave temple. The excavations done by the Archaeological Department has revealed evidence of human habitation dating back to 25000 years.