Kantaka Cetiya (also known as Kanthaka Dagoba/Chethiya) is a Stupa located in the ancient Buddhist complex monastery of Mihintale, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. The Stupa is notable as it has best and the most ancient ornamental frontispieces (Vahalkada) found in the country.
History
One of the two inscriptions mentioning the name of King Mahadhathika Mahanaga (9-21 A.D.) at Mihintale is found on a rock surface near the Kantaka Stupa (Sirisoma, 1990). This inscription records the donations made to the Kataca Ceta (Kantaka Cetiya) by two kings, King Tisa (Bhathika Tissa) and King Naka [(Mahadhathika Mahanaga) Sirisoma, 1990]. From the Stupa name given in this inscription, it has been believed that the Stupa now called Kantaka Cetiya is the same as the Kantaka Cetiya that is mentioned in the chronicle Mahawamsa.
Kantaka Cetiya Rock Inscription
Scripts : Later Brahmi
Language : Old Sinhala
Content : The great King Bhatikatissa gave the
revenues from the land and water taxes of Kabavika tank to the Kantaka Cetiya. The great King Mahadathika Mahanaga having purchased Balayatha-Gamakavi tank gave to the Kantaka Cetiya the revenues from the land and water taxes.
Reference : The information board at the site
by the Department of Archaeology and Ministry of National Heritage and Cultural Affairs |
Kantaka Cetiya Cave Inscription
Period : 3rd Century B.C.-1st Century A.D.
Scripts : Early Brahmi Language : Old Sinhala Transcript : Parumaka Naga puta Asaliya lene agata anagata catudisika sagaye
Translation : The cave of Asali, son of
the chief Naga is donated to the Sangha of the four quarters, present and absent
Reference : Paranavitana, S., 1970; The
information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and Ministry of National Heritage and Cultural Affairs |
According to Mahawamsa, King Devanampiya Tissa (307-367 B.C.) had refurbished sixty-eight caves (present Ataseta Len) in the neighborhood of the Kantaka Cetiya for the use of the monks headed by Arahant Mahinda. Also, during the reign of King Lajja Tissa (119-109 B.C.) a Chatra stone (a stone umbrella) had been added to the Stupa.
Stupa
Kantaka Cetiya Stupa is 40 ft in height and has a peripheral length of about 425 ft. Frontispieces which are at the cardinal points of the Stupa are formed of horizontal bands separated by string-courses (left photograph). The flank of the frontispieces is adorned with limestone stelaes which contain the oldest specimens of the plastic art of the country (Paranavitana, 1950). The stone works of Kantaka Cetiya are dated to about the beginning of the Christian era. Two terracotta figures belonging to the 5th century have also been found in the temple premises (Paranavitana, 1950).
References
1) Paranavitana, S., 1950. Sinhalese Art and Culture. Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, 98(4822), pp.588-605.
2) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscription of Ceylon: Volume I: Early Brahmi Inscriptions. Department of Archaeology Ceylon. p.2.
3) Sirisoma, M.H.; [Wijesekera, N (Editor in chief)], 1990. Brahmi inscriptions of Sri Lanka from 3rd century B.C. to 65 A.D. Archaeological department centenary (1890-1990): Inscriptions. Commissioner of Archaeology. pp.28, 35.
3) Sirisoma, M.H.; [Wijesekera, N (Editor in chief)], 1990. Brahmi inscriptions of Sri Lanka from 3rd century B.C. to 65 A.D. Archaeological department centenary (1890-1990): Inscriptions. Commissioner of Archaeology. pp.28, 35.
Location Map
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