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Galge Viharaya (2014) |
Galge Viharaya (Sinhala: විල්පත්තු ගල්ගේ විහාරය නටඹුන්) is a site with the ruins of an ancient Buddhist cave temple located within the woods of Wilpattu National Park in Puttalam District, Sri Lanka.
History
The history of this site is dated back to the beginning of the Chritian era. A cave inscription belonging to the 1st century A.D. records Kadahalaka tank, the breached tank near the present ruined site (Nicholas, 1963). According to Nicholas, a 10th century pillar inscription containing an immunity grant was found at Patti eliya, a site located few miles north of Galga Viharaya and an abandoned road still leads to these two sites from Thala Vila Wildlife Bungalow (Goonatilake, 2006; IUCN, 2006; Nicholas, 1963).
Period: 1st century A.D.
Script: Later Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala
Transcription: (1) Sidam [|*] Kadahalaka-vavi-hamika vohara- (2) Nakaha Anulayaha (3) manikara .......... tini-jhanana lene
Translation: Hail! The cave of the three personages, (namely) the lawyer Naga, the lord of Kadahalaka-vavi, Anulaya and the lapidary ..........
References: Paranavitana, 1970
The Site
The site consists of several drip-ledged caves prepared in the past for the usage of Buddhist monks. In one cave, part of wall made of brick is found. The remains of a dilapidated Stupa are also identified at the site.
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References
Books, Journal Articles
1) Goonatilake, W.L.D.P.T.S. de A., 2006. Archaeologically important sites in Vilpattu National Park: present status and new findings. National Archaeological Symposium 2006: Papers submitted to the National Archaeological symposium. 1. pp.57-80.
2) IUCN, 2006. Resource Inventory of Wilpattu National Park : Final Report. Colombo: The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka. p.30.
3) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). pp.89-90.
4) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscriptions of Ceylon: Volume I: Early Brahmi Inscriptions. Department of Archaeology Ceylon. pp.88.
Location Map
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Attribution
To Whom
LankaPradeepa.com extends its gratitude to Mr Kithsiri Gunawardena for providing the necessary photographs (published in www.wilpattu.com) required for this article. All the photos are published here with the permission of the author.
