Located within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, the Cobra Hood Cave is a remarkable natural rock shelter shaped like an opened cobra's hood, known for its ancient ceiling paintings and Brahmi stone inscriptions that date back to the 3rd century BC.

Why visit Cobra Hood Cave

• Unique Geological Formation: The cave is a distinct natural rock formation located within Sigiriya's Boulder Garden. It gets its name, "Cobra Hood Cave," because the boulder is sliced and projects outward, resembling the flared hood of a cobra.
• Ramayana Connection (Folklore): Local folklore and recent interpretations of the Ramayana epic suggest this cave is where King Ravana imprisoned Princess Sita after abducting her. The inscription “Parumaka Naguliya Lena” is also believed to positively connect to Sita’s stay.
• Ancient Monastic Dwelling: The cave features a man-made drip ledge and Brahmi inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C. These historical markers indicate that the cave served as a dwelling or monastery for Buddhist monks.
• Remnants of Historic Art: The cave once had a plastered interior, and the rock ceiling still contains traces of floral, stylized animal, and geometric paintings, suggesting it was once beautifully embellished.
• Archaeological Burial Site: Excavations in the cave uncovered the remains of nine human skeletons, suggesting the site was used as a Middle Historic Period burial site. The remains were of young adult males buried in an extended position.