Dimbulagala Kanda Ruins in Kotiyagala

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view from the top of the Dimbulagala Kanda in Kotiyagala — View from the top of the Dimbulagala Kanda in Kotiyagala

Dimbulagala Kanda Monastery is located about 7km northeast of Kotiyagala or about 2km north of Dodandapuwala. On the map issued by the Survey Department, this rock mountain is identified as “Weheragoda” meaning Stupa Rock but this is called “Dimbulagala Kanda” by the villagers in the area.

The land mass between Monaragala and Yala’s northern border is filled with remote villages that mainly survive on paddy and Chena cultivations. Most of the land is covered in jungles and rock formations of various sizes and heights rising at various locations. At most of these rock formations, you will find remains of ancient Buddhist monasteries providing a glimpse of the past of this area. Most of the ruins are not even reported but a research party headed by Takashi Okamura from Hosei University in Japan made 2 research visits in 1985 and 1993 and has documented a significant number of hidden ruins in this area.

The ruins are located on the second part of this mountain. Dagoba (A), inscription (B), pataha (C and D) and an uncertain structure (E) are found on the eastern slope of this mountain. Three rock shelters (F, G and H) are found halfway up this mountain. A brick-built recumbent Buddha statue, a wooden statue and Brahmi inscriptions are seen in the rock shelter (F). Although the research team doesn’t mention any functioning monastery, currently this site is a functioning monastery for meditating bikkus. Some of the caves at the site have been converted into living quarters for the monks.

The remains of a ruined dagoba (A) measure about 14.5m across and 2.5m high. A gaping pit has been dug by treasure hunters at the centre of the stupa. Brick- A 5m long and 0.9m high part of the platform on which the stupa is built can be seen clearly. Two Chattras (photos a-l and a-2) belonging to the stupa are found on the ground. One (photo a-1) measures 105cm across and 20cm thick. The other (photo a-2) measures 63cm thick and the central hole is 5cm deep. Two stone pillars (140x18xI6cm, 53x17x14cm) with a stone flower alter basin are found on the northern slope of the stupa (photo.

On the pealed rock 3 meters south of the stupa. you find a rock inscription (B) which has been traced (photo B and Fig B). At 32m southeast of the dagoba (A), remains of an uncertain platformed structure (E) can be seen. Some stone pillars, cornerstones and brick pieces are scattered 32m southeast of the dagoba (A).

Out of the 3 rock caves, the cave (F) lies on the southeastern slope of the mountain, about 300 meters north of the platform structure (E). The cave is 20 meters wide 5.8 meters high and 7 meters deep with a drip ledge cut at the brow (photo f-1). Inside the cave, you find a large reclining Buddha statue built using bricks. The officials who visited the site with the research team suggested that this statue possibly belonged to the 8th to 11th centuries. Unfortunately, the statue is severely damaged by treasure hunters. The head, shoulders and feet are destroyed leaving only part of the torso. You also find the remains of a wooden standing statue which has been severely weathered. This is l00cm high and 20cm thick (photo f-2). This cave shows parts of walls (photo f-3) which would have covered this cave. The remaining part of the wall is 90cm thick.

There are 2 inscriptions found on the brow of the cave, below the drip ledge. Transliteration of those inscriptions is as follows:

……sama ……kasakomanaha lene sagasa.
translation: ……Kasakomana’s cave given to the
Sangha.

Bata ….nemalena …….sagasa.
translation: ……named cave given to the Sangha.

The other 2 cave shelters marked G and H have no significant artefacts.

Map of the research area
Source : Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA.

Map of the ruins in Dimbulagala in Kotiyagala
source : Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA.

References

Okamura, T., 1999. Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA. Tokyo: Exploration Club of Hosei University.

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Map of Dimbulagala Kanda Ruins in Kotiyagala

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