Anjaligala Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: අංජලීගල රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Anjaleegala in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka.
History
The history of Anjaligala Viharaya is obscure. However, the site contains a large number of ruins including four inscriptions engraved on the natural rock boulders and two dilapidated building structures (Somadeva, 2006). Of the four inscriptions, three are dated to the first century A.D. and the fourth is dated to the fourth century A.D. (Somadeva, 2006).
Anjaligala rock inscription of King Sri Meghawarna (303-331 A.D.)
Period: 4th century A.D. Script: Later Brahmi Language: Old Sinhala
Content: This inscription has been established in connection with a royal commemoration ceremony. It reveals details of renovations carried out to this monastery located in the northern quarter of Mahagama. A donation of Kahavanu for the upkeep of the monks has been given by King Sri Meghavarna also. The full reading of the inscription is impossible due to its worn condition.
Reference: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of National Heritage
A protected site
The ruined building, three inscriptions and ruins of other ancient constructions, ancient Stupa and the premises 100 m wide around them situated at the archaeological site known as ‛‛Anjaligala’’ belonging to the Grama Niladhari Division of Ellagala in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Lunugamvehera are archaeological protected monuments, declared by the government Gazette notification published on 16 September 2023.
References
1) Somadeva, R., 2006. Urban origins in southern Sri Lanka. Doctoral thesis in Archaeology at Uppsala University. pp.96,100,134.
2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; Extraordinary. No: 2349/42. 16 September 2023. p.2A.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 3 December 2023