Ancient Buddhist monastery on a hill-edge near Lahugala, Ampara District; early Anuradhapura period stupa, inscriptions from 1st–6/7th centuries A.D.
Lahugala Kota Vehera K ota Vehera , also known as Kotaveheragala Viharaya (Sinhala: ලාහුගල කොට වෙහෙර), is a Buddhist temple situated in Lahugala in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. It is erected on a small hillock situated on the verge of the Lahugala-Kitulana National Park . The ancient Magul Maha Viharaya is located about 2.8 km southwest of this site. History The history of this temple runs back to the early Anuradhapura Period (Vithanachchi, 2013). The inscriptions discovered in situ have revealed that this temple was known in ancient times as " Digalaka Maha Vehera " (Gamage, 2020; Vithanachchi, 2013). According to the opinion of Medhananda Thera, this temple could be the ancient Kotapabbatha Viharaya that is mentioned in the chronicle Mahavamsa (Medhananda, 2003). As revealed by Mahavamsa, Kotapabbatha Viharaya was the home for the novice monk who was reborn as King Dutugemunu [(161-137 B.C.) Medhananda, 2003]. Monuments A number of the ruins including rock inscriptions, rock-cut steps, caves, Sri Pathu…
