Kahandawa Raja Maha Viharaya: ancient Buddhist temple with 2nd–3rd century Brahmi rock inscriptions, historic stupa, protected archaeological site.
Kahandawa Raja Maha Viharaya (Ranna) Not to be confused with Kahandawa Purana Viharaya (Ranna) K ahandawa Sri Dhammadinna Viharaya , also known as Kahandawa Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: රන්න කහඳාව ධම්මදින්න රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated on a small hillock on the wayside of Ranna-Rekawa road in Ranna village in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. History The rock inscriptions within the temple premises bring back the history of this site to the Anuradhapura Period or to the 2nd century A.D. (Abeyawardana, 2004). A Later Brahmi rock inscription in the Old Sinhala language belonging to the period 2nd-3rd century A.D. reveals some information on the renovation of the cube ( Hathares Kotuwa ) of a Stupa . Also, another rock inscription belonging to the same period records about a person named Mahanaga. Kahandawa Rajamaha Vihara Rock Inscription Period: 2nd-3rd century A.D. Script: Later Brahmi Language: Old Sinhala Content: A possession of a persona named Mahanaga and his caste is mentioned. A flight of steps and a worn represen…
