Bandagiriya Viharaya (Sinhala: බඳගිරිය විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated near Bandagiriya Wewa in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka.
History
This temple is believed to be the ancient Badagaldora Viharaya built by Kavantissa [(205-161 B.C.) Nicholas, 1963]. The place-names Bandagiri and Badagiri have been found among Sigiri graffiti (Nicholas, 1963).
Inscriptions
Inscriptions belonging to the 4th 5th centuries A.D. have been recorded from the site (Gamage, 2020).
Bandagiriya rock inscriptions
Period: 3rd-4th centuries A.D. Script: Transitional Brahmi Language: Old Sinhala
Content: Three rock inscriptions reveal donations made to this temple. The first one records that Sinha, the son of minister Bapa made a donation to conduct the preaching of Ariyawasa from the interest received for one year. The second one also mentions a donation made to conduct the preaching of Ariyawasa and the four requisites. The third inscription is fragmentary.
Reference: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of National Heritage.
A protected site
The
ancient Stupa at Bandagiriya village situated in Hambantota Magam Pattuva is an archaeological
protected monument, declared by a government gazette notification
published on 23 February 1967.
.
Attribution
2) 20141026-_MG_0703 and 20141026-_DSC0293 by Dhammika Heenpella are licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
References
1) Gamage, D.P., 2020. Epigraphical Notes (Nos. 22-23). Department of Archaeology. ISBN: 978-955-7457-30-7. pp.63-64.
2) 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.67.
3) The government gazette notification. no: 14737. 23 February 1967.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 4 June 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map
