Lihiniyagala Viharaya

Lihiniyagala Len Viharaya (Sinhala: ලිහිණියාගල ලෙන් විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple in Saresumthanna within the boundary of  Victoria Randenigala Rantembe Sanctuary in Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka. Situated in the Belihul Oya valley, the temple is surrounded by fields known as Lamasuriya. The oldest inscription discovered in Nuwara Eliya District is considered to be found here (Abeyawardana, 2004). History The temple complex bears evidence of the existence of human settlements from the 2nd century B.C. (Abeyawardana, 2004; Wijesinghe, 2015). An Early Brahmi Inscription that has been engraved below the drip ledge of the cave at the site indicates that Lihiniyagala has a history running back to the pre-Christian era (Abeyawardana, 2004; Paranavitana, 1970; Wijesinghe, 2015). Lihiniyagala cave inscription Period:  3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.                   Script: Early Brahmi Language:  Old Sinhala Transcript: Manapadashane Translation:  Of agreeable sight (name of the cave). Citation:  Paran…