Abhayagiriya is an ancient Buddhist monastery situated in Anuradhapura. It was established by King Valagamba alias Vattagamini Abhaya (89-77 B.C.)
Abhayagiriya Monastery (Anuradhapura) Abhayagiriya , also known as Uttara , Abhayauttara , Abhayaturā , Abhāgiri , Abagiri-maha Vihara , Apahayagara , Abahaygiri , and Bagirivehera (Sinhala: අනුරාධපුර අභයගිරි විහාරය; Tamil: அபயகிரி விகாரை), is an ancient Buddhist monastery situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. History
The temple founded by Valagamba The monastery was established by King Valagamba alias Vattagamini Abhaya (103 & 89-77 B.C.) during his second reigning period and he donated it to the Buddhist monk Mahatissa of Kupukkala as a token of gratitude at a time when his throne was contested by seven South Indian conquerors (Bopearachchi, 2020; Jayasuriya, 2016; Nicholas, 1963; Wikramagamage, 2004). During his first ascension to the throne in 103 B.C., a Brahmin called Tissa declared war against him (Jayasuriya, 2016). At the same time, a Tamil invasion (seven Tamils) from neighbouring South India put the king in a difficult situation. Valagamba sent a message to Tissa that if he could conquer the Tamils he could have the k…
