Godavaya Gothapabbata Viharaya Godavaya Gothapabbata Viharaya (Sinhala: ගොඩවාය ගෝඨපබ්බත විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated on a rocky cliff by the side of the Ambalantota sea near the mouth of Walawe Ganga river in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. The temple is historically and archaeologically important as the only record and evidence regarding the ancient Godavaya Port at Ambalantota is found here (Abeyawardana, 2004). History The establishment of Gothapabbata Vihara is attributed to Gotabhaya, the ruler of Rohana early in the 2nd century A.D. (Abeyawardana, 2004; Nicholas, 1963). The inscription of Gamini Abaya of the 1st-2nd century A.D. (see the below " Inscriptions " section) which is in the temple premises reveals the name of the area as Godapavata (Nicholas, 1963; Paranavitana, 1983). In a later 6th century inscription, this temple is named Godava-vahera (Nicholas, 1963). Ancient Godavaya Port The inscription of Gamini Abaya confirms the fact that there was an ancient port in Godawaya. The Departm…
