Pulligoda Galge, a rock shelter near Dimbulagala, features 7th-century frescoes of haloed male figures in veneration, reflecting Anuradhapura art.
Pulligoda Galge and Painting P ulligoda Galge or Pulligoda Archaeological Site is a rock shelter containing a series of paintings depicting the great tradition of the art of the Anuradhapura Period . It is located about 3 km south of the Dimbulagala Raja Maha Viharaya in Polonnaruwa District, Sri Lanka. History Inscriptions An Early Brahmi Cave Inscription belonging to the period between the 3rd century B.C.- 1st century A.D. has been found at the site (Paranavitana, 1970). Period: 3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D. Script: Early Brahmi Language: Old Sinhala Transcript: (Ba)rata-Silavi(jayaha) lene sodaye Kutahate dhane Translation: The cave of lord Silavijaya is given by the co-donor Kutahatta Reference: Paranavitana, 1970. p.23. Painting Fragments A series of fragmentary remains of old paintings in the Pulligoda cave was first reported in 1897, by H. C. P. Bell (De Silva, 1990; Dhanapala, 1964). The main painting fragment is about five feet in length and in a fair state of preservation (Wijesekara, 1947). It consists…
