Heritage

Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya (ගොනාගොල්ල පුංචි සීගිරියේ බිතුසිතුවම්)

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Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla — Paintings similar to Sigiri Paintings at Punchi Sigiriya — in Gonagolla, Sri Lanka. — Paintings similar to Sigiri Paintings at Punchi Sigiriya — in Gonagolla, Sri Lanka.
Photo by Dr. Ashan Geeganage

A set of frescoes identical to the the frescoes of Sigiriya Ancient Fortress lies in a remote temple in Gonagolla.

This site is in Kotmale Canal Colony in Wewagampattuwa Divisional Secretariat Division of Ampare District. The Kotmale Colony is about 3 miles east of Kohombana Junction on Ampara – Gonagolla Road. Among the rock boulders, there are two small caves which had been adorned with images of males and females in the ancient past.

Today only two frescoes remain on one of the caves, a female dancer and a man, painted with colours in red, yellow, green and white. The female dancer is almost identical to Sigiriya’s maidens, curved and shapely, her eyes downcast, she clasps her hands together, worshipping the male figure beside her. According to inscriptions on the rocks, these frescoes have been dated back to the 3rd century. Two more caves in the temple contain rock inscriptions belonging to the 3-4th centuries and 4-5th centuries respectively. In addition to the caves, remains of an ancient stupa, remnants of a Vatadage and massive stone pillars of what would have been large buildings can be seen scattered around the Gonagolla cave temple.

This temple is also called Punchi Sigiriya due to the frescoes.

Entrance to the cave at Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla

It is said that there is a tunnel that will lead to Rajagalatenna below this rock slab.

The frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya are being protected

Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla — Chatra Stones

Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla — Remnants of a Watadageya

Monoliths at Punchi Sigiriya at Gonagolla

Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla — an Inscription

Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla — the Meaning of the inscription

Another inscription [2] at Punchi Sigiriya Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla

Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla — the Meaning of the inscription [2]

Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla — Steps carved in stone

A drip ledge cave at Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla

Ancient paintings at Punchi Sigiriya Gonagolla

Photos courtesy of : Dr Ashan Geeganage

Also See

Map of the Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)

Show Location (ගූගල් සිතියම)

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Driving Directions Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya

Route from Ampara to Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya

Through : Mahaoya Road
Distance : 20 km
Travel time : 30 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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Also See

Map of the Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya

Driving Directions Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya

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