Madunagala Hermitage is situated a few kilometers away from Ambalantota, on a rock in the shade of thick jungle with thorny bushes and cacti. It consists of many caves where Buddhist monks do deep meditation. There are ancient pools that aid nature’s flow of water and surrounding jungle that was haunted by wild animals like elephants, leopards, and bears. They like to roam around after dark, so the tourists and pilgrims who come to give money or things to charity are asked not to leave human settlements after 6.30pm. The tranquility of the temple enables contemplation. The silence is broken only by singing birds or a sighting of a magnificent peacock.