Piyangala Aranya Senasanaya (Ampara)

Not to be confused with Kotasara Piyangala Viharaya

Piyangala Aranya Senasanaya, also known as Piyangala Viharaya (Sinhala: පියංගල ආරණ්‍ය සේනාසනය, පියංගල විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Piyangala village in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. The site is located on the wayside of Ampara-Maha Oya road about 26.8 km from Ampara town.

History

The temple is a forest hermitage and is situated in the eastern part of Rajagala Mountain (Withanachchi, 2013). The modern Viharaya and the hermitage have been established at the site in 1963 (Medhananda, 1984).

A large number of caves that were used as dwellings for the monks are found on the temple premises. Some of the caves contain Early Brahmi Inscriptions inscribed just below their drip ledges. Among them, several inscriptions are considered very important as they give details about the royalties connected to King Dutugemunu/Gamini Abhaya [(161-137 B.C.) Medhananda, 1984]. According to the view of Medhananda, these inscriptions reveal the names of King Dutugemunu's wife (Rajitha), his daughter (Abitissa), his mother-in-law (Abitissa), his son-in-law (Sumana) and his grandson [(Abhaya) Medhananda, 1984].

Piyangala cave inscription of Abitissa

Transcript: Devanapiya Maharakjhaha Gamini Abaha kjaya Rakjithaya mathaya Abithishaya lene

Translation: The cave of Abitissa, the mother of Rajitha, the wife of King Gamini Abhaya

Citation: Medhananda, 1984. p.11.

Piyangala cave inscription of Uttaragutta

Transcript: Utharagutha theraha lene
Translation: The cave of Uththara Guththa Thera.
Citation: Medhananda, 1984. p.10.

Piyangala cave inscription of Chunda Tissa

Transcript: Batha Chudi Thishaha lene dashahagama ....shagasha
Translation: The cave of chief Chunda Thissa/Chula Thissa (is given) to the Sangha.

Ruins of several Stupas as well as fragments of clay tiles and bricks have been found on the hermitage premises. Near the temple is a cave with frescoes of Adiwasi people (Vedda).

A protected site

The site of the ruins of buildings with stone pillars belonging to Piyangala Viharaya situated in Grama Niladhari Division No. 104/5W, Piyangala in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Uhana is an archaeological protected site, declared by a government gazette notification published on 26 December 2014.