Kandegama Raja Maha Viharaya in Hunupola is an ancient cave temple with Brahmi inscriptions, Kandyan murals, and roots in early Anuradhapura period.
Hunupola Kandegama Viharaya Not to be confused with Danigala Kandegama Viharaya K andegama Purana Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: හුණුපොල කන්දේගම පුරාණ රජමහා විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Hunupola village in Ganewatta Divisional Secretariat Division in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka. History Hunupola is believed to be one of places where Pandukabhaya (5th-4th century B.C.) and Valagamba (103, 89-77 B.C.) organized troops to fight against enemies (Anuradha & Kumari, 2015). The Brahmi Inscription engraved below the drip-ledge of the main cave temple proves that the history of Kandegama Viharaya dates back to the early period of the Anuradhapura Kingdom (Godakumbura, 1964). A large reclining Buddha statue, several other standing statues with wooden core and stucco finishes, and paintings belonging to the Kandyan Period are found inside the cave temple (Anuradha & Kumari, 2015; Godakumbura, 1964). The cave walls are filled with murals depicting popular Buddhist themes such as Suvisi Vivaranaya (Buddha r…
