{"id":6688,"date":"2019-08-26T11:58:27","date_gmt":"2019-08-26T11:58:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/italiantripabroad.it\/Blog\/?p=6688"},"modified":"2024-07-08T05:18:52","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T04:18:52","slug":"pidurangala-rock-hike-best-sunrise-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/italiantripabroad.it\/Blog\/pidurangala-rock-hike-best-sunrise-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Pidurangala Rock Hike | Best Sunrise in Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pidurangala Rock Hike is becoming really popular among tourists visiting Sri Lanka. Out of our plan to visit Sigiriya<\/strong><\/a>, we decided to wake up early in the morning and discover some hidden spots of Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Sigiriya is the most famous rock in Sri Lanka, in the list of the Unesco World Heritage and a holy place for Buddhists, on the other side there is an easy climb, Pidurangula Rock.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sigirya, is among the 7 Wanderers of the World, often associated with the eight. <\/strong>Locals refer to Sigirya as the Lion Rock, check our post dedicated to understand why. This significant place for the history of Sri Lanka is crowded with tourists and locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately on the other part of Sigirya there is Pidurangala. Another monolith almost the same size of Sigirya, is facing the ancient ruins. This place provide a scenic view over the jungle. Hike up Pidurangala Rock is becoming popular among backpackers visiting Sri Lanka. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The low fee at the entrance<\/strong>, the endurance going up and the taste of a less popular spot (not anymore), is making this place a kind of must see in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiking Pidurangala Rock for sunrise is so something you should put in your list of things to do in Sri Lanka on your next trip. The view in distance of Sigiryia is insane.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch as the sun lights up the amazing landscape of Sri Lanka<\/em>, the green leaves of trees of the jungle, the lakes full of wildlife, that will leave you awe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PIDURANGALA ROCK HIKE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Actually, we made up both hikes in the same day. Pidurangala for the sunrise and Sigiryia in the late morning, it was so hot. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite it was hard to wake up early and climb difficult stairacase and rocks, we made it. And we have really enjoyed, make it thinking that sometimes you don’t have to stick with your plan, but get lost.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can\u2019t tell you about which is the best to visit if you have the time try to hike up both. Absolutely you will find Sigiriya a bit expensive and crowded<\/strong>, with locals and tourists trying to reach the top, sweating for the hot weather conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pidurangala on the other side is really amazing to hike<\/strong> in the early morning and face the forest and the awesome landscape at the sunrise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This list will give you some suggestion on how to hike Pidurangala<\/em>, which is the best time to get up the rock. Also, we will cover what to wear to hike Pidurangala Rock, rules to observe and insider tips.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Pidurangala<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is Pidurangala Hike, and why it is becoming so popular?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is a high rock that overlooks the ancient Unesco site of Sigiriya. Pidurangala is becoming so popular nowadays because of the advantage position in front of the Lion\u2019s Rock of Sigiriya, an ancient Fortress that is overlooking the Valley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The landscape on the summit of Pidurangala is amazing as well, crossing all sides of the valley.<\/strong> A 360 landscape view on Sri Lanka Triangle, a breathtaking adventure that we suggest to do.<\/em> We have hiked up this rock early in the morning, to be sure to catch the first lights of the sunrise. The way to the top is not hard but you have to be prepared. Our journey started at 4 am, waking up and prepared.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A single road is going in and out from the entrance to the monastery and the hiking up. You should pre-book a guided tour, or at least a tuk-tuk in order to don’t get lost.<\/strong> For a better way to reach the Pidurangala Rock Hike, you can hire a car driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, really the view from the top get over any expectation. This place is becoming so popular, even more of the ancient rock of Sigiriya. Many people head there just for the view and catch the best shot. Check our last photos from Pidurangala on Instagram<\/a><\/strong>. The site, on top of a Buddhist Temple, is now on the top of the Instagrammable places in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will love Sri Lanka and for sure, you want to spend more time around the island. See the two weeks itinerary which will help you to organize your trip.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GUIDE TO PIDURANGALA ROCK HIKE<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Pidurangala
The view over the central and the west Regions of Sri Lanka – Lakes, river and the wild forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This is an easy hike, a little climb that people make also in flip flops. We will suggest you don\u2019t do that. Try to avoid to be silly and take this hike seriously, the narrow path can be dangerous. Even if it is easy, especially if you are trying to reach the top for the sunrise and the passage is not lighted.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many years the only way to enjoy the Sri Lankan panorama has been the top rock of Sigiriya. The fortress or Lion Rock as many calls it is an archaeological site in the centre of Sri Lanka. As Sigiriya, Pidurangala as well is visible from kilometres, thanks to the high over 200 metres that overhang on the valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the Region, pointing to a unique visit to Sigiriya skipping Pidurangala is the worse thing you can do. The sacred Pidurangala view is absolutely stunning and worth to be hiked.<\/em> If you are looking for an adventurous path in Sri Lanka, hiking up Pidurangala Rock you will be satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PIDURANGALA ROCK HISTORY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both Sigiryia and Pidurangala Rock seems like a giant monolith place in the middle of nowhere by a giant. Many thinks that it is like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There his a huge mythology behind both rocks, that makes this hike even more interesting. In fact, both rocks are in the middle of a flat valley with just lakes, jungle and little hills here and there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But let’s go to the amazing history. The books want that one of the most powerful kings of Sri Lanka, Kashyapa arrived back from India in the 5th century when Sigiriya the rock in front was a monastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buddhist is by far the main religion in Sri Lanka, followed by Indu. You can understand how many sacred places devotees of buddhas. The temple of Pidurangala Vihara, as it is called, goes back to the first and second century BC. Became a leading place during the reign of King Kashyapa<\/em>, who built up the fortress and the surrounding city of Sigiriya, from 473 to 495 AC<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was amazed by Sigiriya and wanted to build a fortress for himself, offering to relocate the monastery to the rock in front. The name “Pidurangala” was derived from the Sinhalese word “pidu + ran + goda”. Translating it in English, it is meaning “offered piles of gold”.<\/strong> This was what the King of Sri Lanka offered to the monks to go and live in Pidurangala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The monks were so obliged to move to the golden monastery offered by King Kashyapa. It was carved in the rocks of Pidurangala.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Today you can still admire what is remaining of the old temple of Pidurangala, passing by ruins and a perfectly preserved reclined Buddha.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will pass this part of Pidurangala Rock hike while going up. When was hiking, I saw that with low-light without taking much attention. On the way down, I was so amazed by this spot.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monks are using this rock as a place were meditate and have less contact with others. Many people are giving to this place mystic powers<\/strong>, and some say that it can be still possible to see monks in meditation while hiking.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sri Lanka 10 Days Itinerary<\/a><\/h2>
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Our itinerary for the best holidays in Sri Lanka<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START CLIMB PIDURANGALA ROCK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We have tried to summarise the basic instruction to make your hike to Pidurangala Rock easier. This guide will take you to discover, where is Pidurangala located, how to access the Pidurangala hike, how to reach it and some other important information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will also prepare you to enter the local temple which gives you access to the path to the top. The Buddhist Temple Rules, Entrance fee and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEN TO VISIT PIDURANGALA ROCK?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sri Lanka can be extremely hot, and more than just in the main city Colombo, you will experience that in the middle of the country. The best time of year to visit and hike Pidurangala is during the dry season. This particular part of the year is going from late December until early April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This timeframe is not just highly advised for better condition of hiking, it is also the best to see Sigiriya and the Jungle around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PIDURANGALA ROCK HIKE ENTRANCE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Entrance fee | <\/strong>500RS per person – 3$ USD (Updated 2020)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening Hours |<\/strong> 5am to 6pm – Ticket Office open at 5am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips |<\/strong> Remove your shoes while entering in the Temple Area<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PIDURANGALA TEMPLE<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Entrance
The Entrance to the Buddhist temple of Pidurangala – Here will start your hike. The ticket office is inside.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Many things are not known yet about Pidurangala. The first is that is cheaper than hike Sigiriya, but about that, we will talk in the next paragraph more in deep. The second is that before starting your hike you have to pass by an amazing temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before becoming the top viewpoint over Sigiriya, the Pidurangala Rock has been an active training temple. The Buddhist monks were hiking up the rock (And some still do that)<\/em>, for meditation.<\/strong> All the rudimental passages of Pidurangala, made by woods, stones or even completely natural, have been forged by centuries by the monks of the temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it is a holy place, you have to follow some simple rules before starting your way to the top. The basic is to follow the rules and traditions of the country that you are visiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n