Yatahalena Viharaya

Yatahalena Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: යටහලෙන විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Yattogoda village in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. History This temple is probably identical with the Yatthalaya Viharaya of the chronicle Mahavamsa which was in existence in the reign of King Devanampiyatissa [(250-210 B.C.) Nicholas, 1963]. It is believed that regional King Mahanaga's (3rd century B.C.) queen gave birth to a son, Prince Yatthalakatissa, at this spot when they were fleeing from the wrath of the queen of Devanampiyatissa (Abeyawardana, 2002; Bell, 1904). The cave at this site was originally known as Yatalatissa and was transformed to Yatahalena subsequently (Abeyawardana, 2002). The Yatahalena cave is 37 ft. in length and 17.5 ft. in breadth (Abeyawardana, 2002). It accommodates a reclining statue of Buddha 30 ft. long (Abeyawardana, 2002; Bell, 1904). A few cave inscriptions belonging to the 3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D. are found here (Abeyawardana, 2002). Script: Early Brahmi L…