1293 – 1341 CE
Kurunegala & Ethugala Peak
City of the giant elephant rock and a 14th-century throne
Overview
Kurunegala (also known as Hasthishailapura) served as a royal kingdom from 1293 to 1341. Its name translates to 'Elephant Rock' after the towering 325-metre granite boulder, Ethugala, that watches over the town. The summit is crowned with a monumental 88-foot seated white Buddha statue. From the peak, travelers enjoy a stunning panorama of the lakeside town, surrounding paddy fields, and the distant central highlands.
History
Under the reigns of kings such as Buwanekabahu II and Parakramabahu IV, Kurunegala became a thriving hub. Folklore credits the animal-shaped rocks surrounding the city as cursed animals turned to stone during ancient droughts.
On the grounds
The seated giant white Buddha
Ancient royal palace ruins
Colossal elephant-shaped rock contours
Before you climb
- ◆ Hire a local three-wheeler to drive the steep curves if you want to skip the hike
- ◆ Sunset from the Buddha lookout deck is highly recommended
- ◆ Remove shoes before walking onto the white tiles of the temple deck
A suggested visit
16:00 - Climb or drive the winding road up to Ethugala
16:45 - Reach the colossal seated white Buddha and lookouts
17:15 - Watch the sunset over Kurunegala Lake and the mountains
18:30 - Stroll the lake walkways as the evening lights come on
