Skip to content
Heritage & History

Bowattegala Monastery

Eastern Province, Ampara

Open in Maps
Off the Beaten Track Historical Heritage

A Forgotten Monastery in the East

Bowattegala belongs to a network of ancient rock monasteries scattered across Sri Lanka's eastern region. These monasteries were established by Buddhist monks seeking solitude in the wilderness, and Bowattegala's massive granite boulders provided ideal natural shelters for meditation and study.

What to See

The site features several caves with ancient Brahmi script inscriptions, drip ledges carved into rock overhangs, and the remains of stone pathways connecting different parts of the monastery. The inscriptions, dating from the early Anuradhapura period (circa 3rd-1st century BC), record donations made to the monastery by ancient Sinhalese royalty and merchants.

Visiting

Located in the Ampara District, Bowattegala is best reached by hired vehicle from Ampara town. The site has no entrance fee or formal facilities. Wear sturdy shoes for climbing the rocks. Combine with visits to other eastern archaeological sites like Kudumbigala, Piyangala, and Deegawapiya.