Isenbassagala Rock Temple

Isenbassagala, also spelt Isenbessagala or Esenbassagala, is the northernmost heritage site in the Cultural Triangle, situated close to the boundary between North Central and Northern Province. It’s a typical wide gneiss rock with rock shelters that served as an abode of reclusive monks in ancient times. Today, there is the white dome stupa on the summit and a new gaudy image house at the bottom. Despite its location close to the A9 mainroad to Jaffna, not many tourists stop in Isenbasssagala. Climbing the rock, however, is rewarding because of the vistas to the plains of the Vanni region.

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