Kudumbigala Viharaya Kudumbigala Viharaya [also known as Kudumbigala Aranya Senasanaya (forest hermitage)] (Sinhala: කුඩුම්බිගල විහාරය තපෝවනය) is a Buddhist monastery located in the forest near Panama village in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. History As evident by the lithic records found at the site, the caves of Kudumbigala have been occupied by Buddhist monks since the pre-Christian era ( Medhananda, 2003; Paranavitana, 1970 ; Withanachchi, 2013). According to Medhananda, this could be the ancient Chetiyapabbata of Rohana which is mentioned in old Pali commentaries ( Medhananda, 2003 ). Medhananda further believes that this monastery was established in the 3rd century B.C. and flourished until the 7th century A.D. ( Medhananda, 2003 ). The site The monastery has been established on and around the Kudumbigala rock which is 119 m in height. It extends in an area of about 4700 hectares and spreads around the Helawa lagoon. More than 100 rock caves used as
monks dwellings have been discovered from the site. Stupas Re…
