Wadigala Mahanaga Viharaya

Wadigala Mahanaga Viharaya
Figure 1: The Stupa at Mahanaga Viharaya

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Wadigala Mahanaga Viharaya (Sinhala: වාඩිගල මහානාග විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Wadigala village in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka.

History
A few inscriptions belonging to the 1st and the 4th century A.D. have been found engraved on the outcropping bedrock at the site (Bohingamuwa, 2005; Muller, 1883; Nicholas, 1963; Senadeera, 2015). The old name of the site as given in the inscription was Kamuhajivi Viharaya (Nicholas, 1963; Senadeera, 2015).

It is said that there was an ancient Stupa at this site (Nicholas, 1963). However, due to the recent quarrying of the rock, all the traces of it have been destroyed (Nicholas, 1963).

Wadigala Mahanaga Viharaya Wadigala Mahanaga Viharaya
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References
1) Bohingamuwa, W., 2005. Preliminary Survey of Tsunami-affected Monuments and Sites in the Maritime Region of Sri Lanka. Part VI. ICOMOS Sri Lanka. p.128.
2) Muller, E., 1883. Ancient Inscriptions in Ceylon. London. p.44.
3) 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.68.
4) Senadeera, G., 2015. Ruhune Aprakata Purawastu (In Sinhala). S. Godage & Bros. ISBN: 978-955-30-6202-4. p.26.
 
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This page was last updated on 10 December 2023
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