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.
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 Driving directions : see on google map |