Uddhakandara Viharaya

Uddhakandara Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: උද්ධකන්දර විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated near Yodhakandiya Wewa in Tissamaharama in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. History A few Early Brahmi Inscriptions dated to c. 250 B.C.E. have been discovered at the temple premises (Somadeva, 2006). They indicate that this site was an ancient Buddhist monastery since the pre-Christian era (Nicholas, 1963). Uddhakandara Cave Inscription of Matamata Period: 3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.                   Script: Early Brahmi Language: Old Sinhala Transcription: Lene shagasha matamata-Tishsha lene shagasha Translation: The cave of the Sangha. The cave of Maha-Matta Tissa [is given] to the Sangha. Citation: Paranavitana, 1970.p.53. Presently it is believed that this is the ancient Uddhakandara Viharaya which is said to have been founded by Mahanaga, the younger brother of King Devanampiyatissa [(247-207 B.C.) Abeyawardana, 2004; Nicholas, 1963; Paranavitana, 2001]. However, a later Brahmi rock inscription …