Sittam Gallena Viharaya Siththam Gallena Viharaya (Sinhala: සිත්තම් ගල්ලෙන විහාරය) Siththam Gallena Purana Viharaya, is a Buddhist temple situated at the foot of Rammalkanda mountain in Warapitiya village in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. History Locals link the history of this site to the period of King Valagamba (103, 88-77 B.C.). It is said that the caves of this place sheltered Valagamba during the time he was in hiding from the South Indian invaders who were ruling the Anuradhapura Kingdom . Also, the Bodhi tree and the old Stupa at the temple premises are said to be monuments dating from the Anuradhapura Period and the time of King Vijayabahu I (1055-1110 A.D.) of Polonnaruwa respectively. The site consists of two drip-ledged cave temples preserving two recumbent Buddha statues 18 Riyan long. The cave temple located near the Bodhi tree is known as Ihala Viharaya and its walls contain murals depicting Buddhist themes such as Jataka tales. Although it is not certain, the Stupa on the upper terrace of the t…
