Zeylanica

As one of our journeys in exploring Sri Lanka, my beautiful motherland we planned a visit to the Anuradhapura cultural triangle, Minneriya Wildlife Sanctuary and Sigiriya Rock fortress. When we left Minneriya National park, the next stop was Sigiriya. At that point one of my friends came up with this idea of visiting Pidurangala, an ancient Buddhist monastery dated back to same age of Sigiriya rock fortress. Since Sigiriya is frequently visited and Pidurangala is a place yet to be explored we picked Pidurangala over Sigiriya.

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Pidurangala is located one kilometer form Sigiriya. It is said to be the temple of the kingdom of Sigiriya. Even though authorities and visitors payed numerous attention to Sigiriya, Pidurangala has been, fortunately or unfortunately, overlooked. Only few dozen of visitors to Sigiriya visits this wonderful Buddhist cave temple. I heard that the name “Pidurangala” was created by Pidu + Ran + Gala, which means “worshiped golden rock”. It has also been noted the flowers carried by the maidens depicted in the Sigiriya frescoes face the Buddha image at Pidurangala, giving the impression that they were making their way to Pidurangala.

There is a Buddhist monastery at the bottom of 200m high Pidurangala.

Piduranhala Buddhist monastery – Entrance to Budumadura

Pidurangala Buddhist Monastery – Budumadura

From a side of Budumadura there is a small path through the forest up to the rock. The path to Buddha statue and mediation caves has been repaired recently into steps now. Even though it is so hot in day time during this season, when we enter in to forest area, it is a cooler atmosphere there. Farther up in the path there are ruins of about 6-7 meditation caves.

Path through rocks – Pidurangala

Farther above there is a reclining Buddha statue. It is one of the largest reclining Buddha statues created with bricks and mortar. Head and chest area of this wonderful creation has been dug by treasure thieves and repaired lately. But the top mortar layer has not been replaced.

Reclining Buddha statue – Pidurangala

There is no path beyond this statue, but through rocks you can climb up to the summit of the rock. Path is difficult but manageable (Not recommended for elder people or children). At the summit you can see beautiful Sigiriya Fortress.

Sigiriya rock to top of Pidurangala

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sunset at Pidurangala

Contributors, Culture, Danushka, History, Icons, Places, Travel, Wildlife Buddha Statues, Cave temples, Pidurangala, rock temples, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Black Hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus), Homagama

The Black Hooded Oriole is also called the Black Headed Oriole and comes from the family Oriolidae, one of the Old World Birds. The Sri Lankan common name for this lovely creature is ‘Kaha Kurulla’ or Yellow Bird attributed due to its brilliant orange or yellow plumage mixed with black.

This bird is a difficult customer to capture on photo, as it habitually perches on very tall trees and springs off at the slightest movement. It has a very pretty call which easily gives its presence away. They fall into the passerine category of birds who are also known as “song birds” although this is not strictly accurate. They are perching birds and have a specific toe arrangement.

The Black Hooded Oriole is a relative of the Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), a fully yellow/orange colored species. They love fruits, just as the Barbet, but are omnivores and feed on insects (arthropods) as well. Berries and fruits are their favorite diet. They frequent Mango trees at our garden in Homagama.

Avifauna, Contributors, Nature, Nilu Birds of Sri Lanka, Black Hooded Oriole, Oriolidae, Oriolus xanthornus, Passerine, Sri Lanka