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Samangala Cave Temple Complex believed to be built by the King Saddhatissa (137-119 BC) of Anuradhapura lies about 23 kilometers away from the Ampara Town. This cave complex consists of about 50 drip-ledged caves in the eastern slopes of the Samangala rocky hill. The ancient Buddhist monks have used these caves for meditation but today only about 10 can be seen while others are still hidden in thick jungles.
Samangala lies in the eastern province of Sri Lanka close to Ampara on the western side of the Kohombana Junction on the Ampara – Maha Oya road. This archaeological jewel has been neglected for the last 30 years during the bloody separatist war with the Tamil Terrorists with all Sinhalese Buddhists in the region either killed or chased away.
With the end of the war, Samangala Hermitage is now occupied by a few priests who are trying to re-establish the hermitage. A 60 foot high cave is used as the image house. The Veddha drawings at the Samangala resemble same of Malayadikanda.
Few of the caves now can be visited including the largest cave in the complex. Pre-Christian Brahmin scripts can also be seen in some of the caves.
A large cave 60 in height is used today as the Image House. The vadda drawings resemble the same of Malayadikanda. The long inscription reads.
Upa rajaha puta Aya Abaya puta
Aya tishaha puta tisha ayana
Karite maha lene agata anagata
Catudisha shagasha dine:.
(The cave constructed by Prince Tissa, son of Prince Tissa who is the son of Abhaya, who is the son of Uparaja is donated to the Sangha of the four quarters, present and not present).
The Uparaja mentioned here is Mahanaga, (brother of King Devanampiyatissa). Aya Abhaya is Gothabhaya, Aya Tisha is Kakavannatissa and Tisha Aya is Saddhatissa.
A drawing in one cave illustrates a stupa in the style of Sanchi Stupa in India indicating the relationship the temple of that time had with the Indian Buddhist community.
Drawing of the Vaddha community which can be seen in another cave suggests that these caves had been used by the Veddhas in a later period when the hermitage was abandoned.
References
- Parker, H. (1909) Ancient Ceylon: An Account Of The Aboriginies And Of Part Of The Early Civilisation. London: Luzac and Co.
- Medhananda, E. (1984) අප්රකට බ්රාහ්මී සෙල්ලිපි හා පුරාවස්තු. Colombo: Archaeology Department of Sri Lanka.
- Medhananda, E. (2005). The Sinhala Buddhist heritage in the East and the North of Shri [i.e. Sri] Lanka. 1st ed. Colombo: Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
- ‘The State, Kingship, and Buddhism in Ancient Sri Lanka’ (no date) in.
Also See
Map of Ancient Samangala Forest Hermitage in Ampara
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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Travel Directions to Ancient Samangala Forest Hermitage in Ampara
Traveling from Ampara, you need to turn left at Werenketagoda and travel around 3 1/2 km on this road. The map indicates an approximate location.
| Route from Colombo to Samangla Cave Temple | Route from Ampara to Samangla Cave Temple |
| Through : Kandy – Mahiyanganaya – Padiyatalawa – Maha Oya Distance : 290 km Travel time : 6-7 hours. Driving Directions : see on Google map | Distance: 23 km Travel time : 2 hours. Driving Directions: see on Google map |
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