Isurumuniya Temple
Isurumuniya Temple
4
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4.0
463 reviews
Excellent
183
Very good
212
Average
61
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Ishan Tours and Holidays
Matale, Sri Lanka90 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
A buddhist temple in srilanka with climbing rock.We were there for 2 hours and went to see tissawewa the tank done by a famous king in Anuradhapura.
Written 2 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bearanddragonNevada
Chiang Mai, Thailand117 contributions
Apr 2012 • Solo
As with all things holy in Sri Lanka, you remove your feet and walk around barefoot. The grounds themselves are in decent shape, but I'm sorry to say, and I"m going to come across as an arrogant sounding tourist here, but: having to skip around from shady spot to shady spot and wincing every time my feet felt jagged stones was not a pleasant experience, and far from a spiritual one. Be prepared to have your feet burned off.
The temple itself is nothing spectacular. There is a old bath with some carvings, and stairs to climb up a boulder. There's another grotto kind of built into a cave with Buddha statues. Interesting, if you don't mind the hundreds of bats that have made it its home - although you can get some photos there. Once you see all three things, each worth about 5-10 minutes of your time, you're pretty much done... I honestly found the surrounding lily ponds and view of the reservoir more interesting than the temple itself. Definitely see that.
All in all, a somewhat mediocre site as far as historical/cultural attractions go. I pegged down because of 1) the shoe policy: temples elsewhere, for example, often hand out clean flip flops to use. and 2) The site itself was simply not that spectacular. I mentioned this in another review of Anuradhapura, but skip this town unless you have time. Sigiriya and Polonaruwa, in the cultural triangle, are both more interesting.
The temple itself is nothing spectacular. There is a old bath with some carvings, and stairs to climb up a boulder. There's another grotto kind of built into a cave with Buddha statues. Interesting, if you don't mind the hundreds of bats that have made it its home - although you can get some photos there. Once you see all three things, each worth about 5-10 minutes of your time, you're pretty much done... I honestly found the surrounding lily ponds and view of the reservoir more interesting than the temple itself. Definitely see that.
All in all, a somewhat mediocre site as far as historical/cultural attractions go. I pegged down because of 1) the shoe policy: temples elsewhere, for example, often hand out clean flip flops to use. and 2) The site itself was simply not that spectacular. I mentioned this in another review of Anuradhapura, but skip this town unless you have time. Sigiriya and Polonaruwa, in the cultural triangle, are both more interesting.
Written 8 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kavitha A
1 contribution
Jul 2014 • Friends
I went there together with other norwegian citizen. Since they had Sri-lankan origin they went in for free when I was asked by a silly soldier women to pay tourist ticket because I was white. Because of this experience I have desided not wisit Sri-Lanka anymore and I will not recomend that destination to anyone. What makes me realy pissed off is that Norwegian tax payers have helped that country billins of dollars but as we use to say in Norway ungreatfullnes is the worlds payment.
Written 5 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruwan W
Ratmalana, Sri Lanka365 contributions
Aug 2019
Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated near to the Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura, The temple was built by King Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC to 267 BC) who ruled in the ancient Sri Lankan capital of Anuradhapura.
This temple is famous for its stone carving of the "Lovers"
As it is a Buddhist temple an appropriate dress code is recommended.
If you are interested in stone carvings this site is worth the visit.
This temple is famous for its stone carving of the "Lovers"
As it is a Buddhist temple an appropriate dress code is recommended.
If you are interested in stone carvings this site is worth the visit.
Written 11 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malki S
Bentota, Sri Lanka58 contributions
Sept 2018 • Family
This is a religious place for Buddhists. However it is extremely rich in ancient technology and art. This is a place where you can learn about the history if Sri Lanka, the ancient technology and art,architecture and Buddhist culture.
Written 6 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Twisterella11
Tamworth, Australia83 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Has a beautiful reclining Buddha and a very old Bho tree. Can climb to the top for a beautiful view out over Anuradhapura. Friendly staff, easily accessible.
Written 16 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Purobi
San Francisco652 contributions
Dec 2015
This was a cheap option. One can walk from town ( along, sweaty walk) and pay relatively small amount of money to see a substandard temple in the rock. If you are well traveled, don't need to come see this. You leave your shoes outside and pay for it. Then you walk either on your socks or barefoot and keep on jumping from one hot stone to the other. You go up on hot, rocky stairs to see NOTHING. The "museum" is substandard as well. Then you walk out to get your shoes back when you are asked to pay a TIP on top of the money you already paid to keep your shoes. This must be a real practical joke.
Written 9 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CHANNADS
Galle, Sri Lanka49 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
After Budhism was Introduced to Srilanka by arahanth(Enlighten one)Mahinda in 3rd Century BC this temple was built by the king Devanampiyathissa who was ruling the country that period.
It is a master pieace of great architecture within a rock.Temple comprises Srine room,Stupa and pond.Later The world famous Isurumuniya Lovers stone carving has being introduced by the kings during the 6-7 Century AD.This is a must visit place if you ever happen to be in ancient capital of Sri Lanka,Anuradhapura.
It is a master pieace of great architecture within a rock.Temple comprises Srine room,Stupa and pond.Later The world famous Isurumuniya Lovers stone carving has being introduced by the kings during the 6-7 Century AD.This is a must visit place if you ever happen to be in ancient capital of Sri Lanka,Anuradhapura.
Written 20 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan 2011
If you have limited time and are not an archaelogist then go to Polonnaruwa instead - Anuradhapura is very nice but it is a long way to go and Polonnaruwa has a lot more to see.
Written 7 January 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sherry_dissa
Colombo, Sri Lanka612 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
That is a very beautiful temple at the anuradhapyra ancient city with small hill top with vey beautiful nature friendly place for all.
Written 18 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the triangular rock at Isurumuniya temple ?
Written 8 April 2019
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