Viharahinna Archaeological Site

Viharahinna Archaeological Site (Sinhala: විහාරහින්න පුරාවිද්‍යා ස්ථානය) is a ruined Buddhist monastery site situated in Moragolla near Galewela in Matale District, Sri Lanka. It has been identified as a site revered by both Buddhist and Hindu people in the 12th century A.D. (Kekulawala, 2021). History Although the history of the establishment of this temple is obscure, historical sources record that the site was the place where Prince Dutugemunu (reigned: 161-137 B.C.) met his mother Viharamahadevi on his way to war with King Elara [(205-161 B.C.) Kekulawala, 2021]. Accordingly, this place has been named Viharahinna after his mother (Kekulawala, 2021). A fragmentary pillar inscription either by King Sena II ( 853-887 A.D. ) or King Kassapa IV ( 898-914 A.D. ) that was discovered at the site reveals the ancient name of this Buddhist monastery as Agni Giri Pirivena (Ranawella, 2005). Viharahinna Tamil Inscription A slab inscription indited in an admixture of Tamil and Grantha characters of the …