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Galgamuawa Devagiri Viharaya |
Devagiri Raja Maha Vihara (Sinhala: ගල්ගමුව ශ්රී දේවගිරි රජමහා විහාරය), also known as Sithavana Vihara in ancient inscriptions (Nicholas, 1963), is a Buddhist temple situated approximately 1.5 km west from Galgamuwa Wewa in the Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka. The site is noted for its drip-ledged cave temples, Brahmi Inscriptions, and murals belonging to the Kandyan Period.
History
According to local folklore, the temple's origins date back to the 3rd century BC during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (247-207 BC) of Anuradhapura. It is also traditionally associated with King Valagamba (103, 89-77 BC), who is said to have used the site as a military stronghold while mobilizing forces against foreign invaders, although this "Valagamba connection" is a common folk narrative for many temples in the area. However, archaeological evidence, including the plain Sandakada Pahana, Sri Pathul Gal and the Brahmi inscriptions, confirms that the site was an active monastic complex during the early Anuradhapura period.
Devagiri Vihara Inscriptions
The inscriptions at this site were noted by Muller in his "Ancient Inscriptions in Ceylon (1883)" and were listed in Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: Annual Report (ASCAR) for 1898 (Muller, 1883; Paranavitana, 2001). One inscription in early-Brahmi characters in a cave is presently totally illegible and two inscriptions in 2nd century AD characters are found near a small tank at the entrance and on the rock near the cave (Muller, 1883; Paranavitana, 2001).
Period: 1st century BC-3rd century AD
Script: Later Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala
Transcript I: (1) Siddham[] Sitavanaviharahi (2) .................ha ama (3) .................gamiya ha
Translation I: Success! Of the Sitavana-vihara.................having taken.
Transcript II: (1) Si[] Sitavanaka-viharahi (2) Na(kuda)gama ketahi (3) cetahi kariha kubare
Translation II: Success! To the monastery of Sitavanaka belongs a karisa of field (granted) to the Caitya from the tract of fields in Nakudagama.
Notes: The inscriptions reveal the ancient name of this temple as Sitavanaka Vihara (Sitavanaka = Cool forest)
References: Paranavitana, 2001.
Architecture
The temple complex is centered around a massive rock outcrop and consists of two main cave temples; the Maha Viharaya and the Kuda Viharaya. The Maha Viharaya features a large reclining Buddha statue, a life-sized seated Buddha set against a Makara Thorana (dragon arch), and standing images while the Kuda Viharaya contains six life-sized standing Buddhas, two seated Buddhas, and a reclining image. A life-sized statue of the God Vishnu is also present in the Kuda Viharaya. The walls of these caves are decorated with Kandyan-era murals depicting Jataka tales, the life of the Buddha, and historical events in Sri Lankan Buddhism.
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References
Books, Journal Articles
1) Muller, E., 1883. Ancient Inscriptions in Ceylon. London. pp.40.
2) 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). p.94.
3) Paranavitana, S., 2001 (Edited by Dias, M.). Inscriptions of Ceylon: Vol. II. Part II. Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka. pp.291-292.
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Attribution
To Whom
LankaPradeepa.com extends its gratitude to Mr Navod Hemal for providing the necessary photographs required for this article. All the photos are published here with the permission of the author.
