Kumburulena Raja Maha Viharaya, also known as Kumburulena Sri Siddhartha Pirivena (Sinhala: කුඹුරුලෙන රජ මහා විහාරය, රිදීගම), is a Buddhist temple situated in Ridigama in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka.
History
The history of the Kumburulena temple goes back to the early period of the Anuradhapura Era. Several Early Brahmi Inscriptions belonging to the 2nd-1st centuries B.C. have been found engraved in the drip-ledged rock caves situated in the temple premises (Paranavitana, 1970). According to the view of Nicholas, Kumburulena was doubtless a part of the Ridi Viharaya entourage (Nicholas, 1963).
The temple name Kumburulena is mentioned in the old Sinhalese text "Nampota" along with other nearby temples including "Segelena" and "Ridi-lena" (Ridi Viharaya).
Inscriptions
Prof. S. Paranavitana has read and published 7 early Brahmi inscriptions discovered at the site (Paranavitana, 1970). Of them, two have been done by Majjhima, the director of the palanquin bearers of King Gamini Abhaya who, according to scholars, is probably King Vattagamani Abhaya [(89-77 B.C.) Nicholas, 1963].
Kumburulena cave inscriptions of Majjhima
Period: 2nd-1st centuries B.C.
Script: Early Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala
Transcript: Maharajhasha Gamani Abayasa sivika adaka parumaka Majjhima(sha) (le)ne agata anagata (catudisha shagasha)
Translation: The cave of chief Majhima, Director of palanquins of King Gamini Abhaya is given to (the Sangha of all four quarters) present and absent.
References: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of Education.
Script: Early Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala
Transcript: Maharajhasha Gamani Abayasa sivika adaka parumaka Majjhima(sha) (le)ne agata anagata (catudisha shagasha)
Translation: The cave of chief Majhima, Director of palanquins of King Gamini Abhaya is given to (the Sangha of all four quarters) present and absent.
References: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of Education.
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References
1) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic
Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic
Society (Ceylon Branch). p.106.
2) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscriptions of Ceylon: Volume I: Early Brahmi Inscriptions. Department of Archaeology Ceylon. pp.69-70.
2) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscriptions of Ceylon: Volume I: Early Brahmi Inscriptions. Department of Archaeology Ceylon. pp.69-70.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 4 October 2022
