Rock monastery at Matale
First real stop was at Matale and the rock monastery of Aluvihara. The caves (really more like ledges under overhanging rocks) are situated among huge rocks which fell from nearby mountains. By reputation this is the site where the doctrines of Buddhism were first written down - in the 1st Century BC) there are several small 'caves' ..rooms - with horrific images (and in one case statues) of people being tortured in the Hereafter. Crucifixion would be a picnic compared to some of these tortures .. a head cracked open (the way I cut the top off my hard boiled egg) by devils who then pick through the brains. A rigorous climb some 50 feet or so to the stupa on top from which you get great views of the surrounding countryside - this is really a spectacular setting.
The fine print
Date of travel : November 2007
Country information :
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ce.html