The Shelter of Caves, Part Eleven

BY: SUN STAFF

Sita Devi, Ravana Ella Cave Temple, Sri Lanka

Jan 23, 2023 — CANADA (SUN) — A study of famous caves in ancient Bharat.

Ravana Ella Cave

In Sinhala, in the Badulla district of Uva province, Sri Lanka, is an ancient cave famously described in Ramayana literatures. The Ravana Ella Cave is part of a complex of natural features all associated with Ravana's abduction of Sita Devi, and Rama's subsequent efforts to secure her return. Ravana's Cave is the secluded abode in which the demon king hid Sita away.

Sita Devi, Ravana Ella Cave Temple

The cave sits at a height of nearly 4,500 feet above sea level (1,370 meters), situated on the foundation of a cliff. This great escarpment of land is said to have originated as a geological formation in the 2nd Century B.C., during the reign of King Valagambahu. Excavations done by the Sri Lankan Archaeological Department have revealed evidence of human habitation here dating back 25,000 years.

Ravana Ella Waterfall

The cave is made remote not only by its height on the cliff face, but also by the fact that it sits behind a great waterfall. Ravana Falls and the cave are referred to jointly by locals as 'Ravana Ella'. The waterfall is one of the widest in Sri Lanka, and drops from a height of more than 80 feet (25 meters).

Ravana's Cave

At the time of the abduction of Sita, Ravana's cave was surrounded by very thick forests in the midst of wilderness. All around the vicinity of Ravana Ella is a labyrinthian system of tunnels, which facilitated many of Ravana's secret travels and nefarious activities. The cave itself is an entry point to the tunnel system, which is said to prove the architectural brilliance of the legendary Ravana.

Rama's captive queen, Sita is said to have bathed in a pool that was filled with the accumulated waters of the falls, and Ravana is said to have played his stringed instrument, the Ravanahatha here.

Adjacent to the cave in which Sita was held is another cave, which houses a temple. Here visitors will find an ornately decorated cave ceiling above various murti displays of the Ravana and Sita pastime. The cave has a drip-ledge on which are installed numerous paintings and sculptures from the Kandyan period, 14th to 15th Century.

Ravana Ella Cave Temple, Canopy Entrance

The cave roof has been finished with a thin layer of mortar, on which circular patterns of lotuses, creepers, floral designs and ornaments are painted. Although the sculptures in the cave temple are said to be ancient, they have been given fresh coats of paint in recent years. A tiled canopy was also erected to protect the cave from the elements.

Nearby is a second ancient temple, Dova, which is thought to also connect to the tunnel system. Both the Ravana Ella and Dova temples are said to have been constructed by King Valagambahu in the 2nd Century.

Ravana's Domain

Photos courtesy Sashi43@photobucket

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