Six kilometres from Ella on the Bandarawela road, easily missed if you blink. The temple sits in a low cliff face and is best known for an unfinished standing Buddha — a 12-metre figure cut into the rock that legend attributes to King Walagamba in the first century BCE, who was said to be hiding here from South Indian invaders. The carving was never completed, which gives it an oddly hesitant quality.
Inside the cave next to the carving is a small painted shrine, often empty of visitors. There is no entrance fee but a donation is appreciated; remove shoes and hats. Stop for ten minutes on the way through, no longer.