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 ancient frescoes, remarkably similar in style to those found at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, can be seen at a remote temple in Gonagolla.

This site is located within the Kotmale Canal Colony, which falls under the Wewagampattuwa Divisional Secretariat in the Ampara District. The colony lies about 3 miles east of Kohombana Junction on the Ampara–Gonagolla Road. Nestled among a cluster of rock boulders, two small caves once featured vibrant murals depicting male and female figures.

Today, only two frescoes remain in one of these caves—a female dancer and a male figure, painted in vivid shades of red, yellow, green, and white. The female figure closely resembles the iconic Sigiriya maidens: gracefully curved, with downcast eyes and hands clasped in reverence.

The male figure beside her holds a long-stemmed flower, possibly representing a Bodhisattva or a king. According to Prof. Senarath Paranavithana, the paintings likely date from between the 5th and 12th centuries CE (Medhananda Thero, 2005, pp. 126–138).

Elsewhere in the temple complex, two more caves contain rock inscriptions from the 3rd–4th and 4th–5th centuries CE. Scattered around the site are the remains of an ancient stupa, a Vatadage (circular relic house), and massive stone pillars, suggesting that the temple once supported substantial structures.

Due to the stylistic resemblance of the frescoes to those at Sigiriya, the temple is often referred to as “Punchi Sigiriya” or “Little Sigiriya“.

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

References

Medhananda Thero, E. (2005). The Sinhala Buddhist heritage in the East and the North of Shri [i.e. Sri] Lanka (1st ed.). Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.

Also See

Map of the Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya

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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
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References

Also See

Map of the Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya

Driving Directions Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya

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