The monastery ruins at present Vessagiriya is believed to be the ancient Issarasamana Viharaya founded by King Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BC.
Vessagiriya | Ancient Issarasamana Viharaya Vessagiriya (Sinhala: වෙස්සගිරිය; Tamil: வெஸ்ஸகிரிய) is a ruined Buddhist cave monastery site located in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. It is believed to be the ancient Issarasamana Vihara founded by King Devanampiyatissa [(247-207 B.C.) Nicholas, 1963; Paranavitana, 1953]. The site
Vessagiriya is located about a mile to the southwest of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya . Three clusters of rocks, surrounded by structural ruins of an ancient monastery are identified at the location. About 23 caves prepared as dwells for Buddhist monks are found at the site. Several caves bear Early Brahmi Inscriptions of the pre-Christian era inscribed on the brows of the caves just below the "Katarama" (drip-ledge), marking the name of the donors who had donated the caves to the monks. Vessagiriya Cave Inscriptions Transcript: Parumaka Palikada putha upasaka Harumasa lene catudisa shagasa Translation: The cave of the lay devotee Haruma, son of his eminence Palikada, (is dedicated) to the (Buddhist) prie…
