Located within the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Anuradhapura, Vessagiriya is a historic 3rd-century BC Buddhist forest monastery featuring peaceful, boulder-carved cave dwellings once used by meditating monks.

Why visit vessagiriya

• Vessagiriya's original name was most likely Isurumuniya, but the name was already given to another monastery.
• Vessagiriya is one of the sites where a sapling from the Sri Maha Bodhi tree was planted.
• Vessagiriya has remains of 23 caves used by monks, along with other monastery buildings
• Vessagiriya is a unique example of Pabbatha Vihara architecture, built using natural rock formations.
• Unlike other sites in Anuradhapura, Vessagiriya is less visited by tourists, making it a peaceful and serene place.
• Vessagiriya is located on a small hill, and the summit offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.