Sthripura Cave hauntingly mysterious

By Damitha Hemachandra

Situated in the middle of the Batathota forest is the most interesting cave system. Although it looks like a cave straight out of a ghost story, the myths and legends behind the Sthripura cave and the journey towards it, make the cave one of the most interesting caves of all. The story of yore is that a minister of King Nissankamalla, who was ordered to oversee the construction of the Batathota cave temple, imprisoned his concubines there during his stay at Batathota.

However, one young local princess called Rathnamali, who was forced into Sthripura, refused to give up her old lover and had to pay with her life at the entrance to the cave.
It is said that the angry souls of the two young lovers haunt the cave. The villagers report seeing a female form standing at the entrance to the cave.

Getting there.............
Sthripura is sited close to the more known Batathota cave temples on Batathota range. Situated on the Kuruwita-Erathna road it is nearly 30 minutes journey from Kuruwita. However, there is no road leading to the cave and visitors have to get the help of villagers as a guide.

Do it yourself!
The ultimate challenge- Try braving the caves and challenging the nearly 700- year- old legend but don’t do it alone. The cave narrows with every step and one might need strong flashlights, ropes and tape to mark the way. Caution: Do not attempt to brave the path alone. A stranger could easily get lost

The villagers fondly call the female spirit, Kantamari, and say that she doesn’t think twice to try her anger out on anyone who comes within her vicinity. Yet the most interesting is the adamant refusal of the villagers to trespass inside the pond in the cave. According to our able young guide, Rukmal, anyone who continues into the cave across the pond is bound to never return and none have been brave to take the risk. One look into the depths of the cave that narrows at every step as you advance, making you crawl after the first few meters, you will find that it is now a famous haunt of large numbers of bats. This could be another reason why the villagers and visitors keep away from it. However, the main reason why no one bothers to visit the cave is the trying journey. One wrong step and you’ll find yourself slipping into a nearly 300 metre fall!
It is a crawl up the mountain through stones, fallen trees and steep slopes, fighting blood sucking leeches and sometimes pouring rain at every step.
Despite every attempt to keep away the leeches at bay and getting scratches from fallen trees, I found myself with several scratches on my face, hands and legs, with leeches all over.
Yet, the view from the cave entrance towards the five mountain peaks which surround the Batathota range is spectacular and breathtaking and worth every scratch, fall and leech bite, I thought.
Kunudiya Parvathaya, Varanagala Peak, Adav Kanda, Lasyakanda, Parathala Kanda and the Adam’s Peak stand majestically opposite the cave entrance. Standing at the cave entrance surrounded by forest and looking over the mountain range one can forget all the atrocities of a wicked minister of yore for a moment, one who decided to make Sthripura his temporary home.