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There are various theories as to how the Pahiyangala Caves got their name. But one enduring theory is that it is named after Fa Hsien, a Chinese Buddhist monk who is said to have lived in the caves on his journey to visit Adams Peak or 'Sri Pada' in the 5th century. Located in Yatagampitiya Kalutara district Sri Lanka, the country's largest rock cave is said to have been inhabited more than 30,000 years ago and was probably home to the most ancient pre-historic settlement in Asia. Below the peak of a tree-covered, 180m-high rocky mountain range, this natural cave has a well-defined, semi-circular entrance and being 54m wide, 86m long and 46m high makes it rather spacious inside. The wide entrance provides ventilation and a very good view of the lush surrounding area. Excavations carried out in 1968, 1986, 1987 and 2012 yielded human skulls, part of skeletons, some in clay pots, teeth, remains of small mammals, several large conical shells of an edible snail species, bone and stone implements and beads from shark bones. Radiocarbon dating of these remains and artifacts placed them at between 34,000 to 4,750 years old. The discoveries also showed that the cave was inhabited during the same period as the European Cro-Magnon man and other hominids of the Late Pleistocene Period. On-going archaeological excavations and analysis of soil sample from the huge pit dug in the middle of the cave have revealed what the cave dwellers ate, how their food was prepared and their general lifestyle. The first recorded burials in Sri Lanka have also been found here. Further, a network of natural tunnels now blocked has also been discovered. The cave and the surrounding 75-acre lush landscape with many endemic species of birds and butterflies among other creatures is now a protected area. Access to the cave is through a narrow jungle path with 496 steps. For the last 400 hundred years, the cave appears to have been maintained as a Buddhist place of worship as evidenced by a small seated statue of the Buddha and wall paintings around it that are supposed to date from the 17th or 18th centuries. Now, a 15m long statue of the reclining Buddha graces the interior. Many well-known Buddhist monks who lived in this cave over the years contributed to the maintenance of the cave and its premises. Among the many plus points at The Sands, one of prominent Kalutara hotels that offers an idyllic palm fringed seaside location, spacious comfortable accommodation, outdoor and indoor leisure activities and an opportunity to dine at different venues each day. Additionally, a range of guest services aimed at taking care of all the details makes a stay at one of well known hotels Sri Lanka a pleasurable experience. Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+
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