The temple is known to be the only place in the island which could boast of a natural elephant kraal. Elephant kraals were used to trap wild jumbos for domestication. There was a hint of rain in the air as we drove into the spacious garden of the Lenawara Raja Maha Vihara in Akarawita. The drive way was through an old decorated cement bridge, built over the paddy- fields that surround the temple building. Huge trees threw long shadows of shade on the clean sandy garden adding to the serene atmosphere of the old temple. A one storey building, with cracked plaster and peeling paint was almost hidden in the shade of a fruit laden Rambutan tree. The main abode of the high priest of the Vihara was a high-roofed building with a large amount of delicate wood-carving and trellis, overwhelmed again by a mass of greenery. A black and white cat came padding out of the building and sunned herself on the veranda as we conversed with the younger priest, the disciple, as the high priest was away at the time. The mellow-voiced young priest explained to us why this temple was historically important. This was, apparently one of the hiding places of King Valagamba, who fled invaders capturing the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura and hid in the jungle clad southern parts of the island until it was safe for him to emerge and re-establish kingship. The area we stood was not the oldest part of the temple. These buildings were added sometime during the last three centuries. The older, more historical parts were across the road from the bridge, which we had just come through. So we crossed over, barefoot in customary respect for religious ground, and walked over to see glimpses of history, traces left behind by a fugitive king. The temple proper with the Dagoba was on a small hill, which is visible to those travelling the road from Salawa turn off on High-level Road up to the Hapugoda Ferry, through the green rubber trees of a nearby estate. The steps that lead to the temple are made of granite slabs and depict curious carvings on them. The names of various donors to the temple are carved on the rock. At the first landing-like space, the steps branch out to the left and right, apparently into shrub jungle. But the priest tells us that they were used long years ago as paths for villagers to come to the temple. An old Sal tree with its lower trunk over laden with big red-pink flowers hung over a large cave at the entrance to the temple. The statues and paintings were inside a larger cave, plastered and made to look more modern by recent renovations. Inside the cave was a large statue of a reclining Buddha, the roof of the cave was painted in brick-red and ochre traditional flowered design. The inside of the cave itself was not large, but the white painted walls gave it an air of spaciousness. Outside there was a small Devale, devoted to the ethereal gods. The Dagoba although small in size was beautiful to look at. It looked old, with the ravages of we