It is recorded in the Sinhala Maha Bodhi Wansa that until such time when the maritime provinces were subjugated by the Portuguese in 1505 A.D., the historic Kalutara Bodhiya exited intact. In the 16th century this sacred site was turned in to a Portuguese fort.
Kaludiya Pokuna in Kandalama is not to be confused with its name-sake in Mihinthale . It dates back to the period, 853 – 857 A.D., during the reign of King Sena the 2nd. The sacred precincts of this ancient site served as a meditating center for the Buddhist monks who resided there.
The history of Kahandawa Raja Maha Viharaya is inextricably linked with King Walagamba, who during his battles with various Indian invaders had taken refuge on the Kahandawa hill.
The Jaffna peninsula is mentioned in History for the first time connection with the story of the Buddha’s visit to Sri Lanka. There it is mentioned as Nagadipa. There is no doubt whatsoever in the identification of Jaffna Peninsula as the ancient Nagadipa. The modern Sinhalese word Yapane is a variant form of the Sinhalese word Yapapatuna which occurs in Sinhalese literature.
Ancient Kadurugoda Viharaya (Kantarodai) is one of the very few Buddhist sites remaining in Jaffna today. The site was discovered in 1917 by the Magistrate P.E. Pieris where he reported that bricks from this site is being carried a way by cart loads by the residents around the area for building of houses.
Kabella Lena Cave Temple is a historic rock monastery near Wariyapola, attributed to King Walagamba’s reign. It features a massive reclining Buddha within a central cave. The site is particularly popular for its powerful Suniyam Devale, attracting many for spiritual rituals and soothsaying.
Lying in middle of a elephant path near a tank in Ampara lies the Japanese Peace Pagoda of Ampara which as part of a larger worldwide peace movement which built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii (1885-1985), a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist Order.
Traveling 1.4 kilometres (0.9 miles) passing the small town of Medawachchiya on the A9 (Kandy-Jaffna) highway, u will come across this beautiful stupa situated on top of a large rock and a name board claiming the name of “Isinbassagala”. The name loosely translate to “the rock that the sage came from”.
Ilupandeniya Raja Maha Viharaya lies in the District of Kandy and its origins are believed to be going as far as the era of King Devamnampiyatissa (250-210 BC). History records that there was an Buddhist education center (Pirivena’) during the reign of Queen Kalyanawathi (1202-1208 AD)
The ancient capital city of Kurunegala is today a busy town in which most of the ancient heritage had disappeared but most of the temples of the ancient times still remain. Ibbagala Raja Maha Viharaya ( Ibbagala Cave Temple) is such a cave temple which lies in the mid valley area of the Ethagala Rock.
Humbuluwa Raja Maha Viharaya is believed be done by the Queen Anula, daughter of King Aggabodhi. The main image house is built in a large rock cave. Humbuluwa belongs to the Kurunegala District.
The history of the Hollombuwa Sthreepura Cave Temple goes back to the days of King Walagamba in the the Anuradhapura period. The cave is said to have provided shelter to 500 queens. Hence its alternative name: Sthreepura. According to local tradition, the perennial water pond was the water source used by the queens for bathing and drinking.
Located in the picturesque landscape covering 300 acres, Hatthikuchchi Aramic complex ( also referred as Hatthikucchi, Hastikuchchi, Hasti Kuchchi) dates back to 3 rd century BC. But this location is most famous as the place that exiled king Sirisangabo offered his own head to a pheasant.
A lesser known place that lay mostly in ruins today is situated in a serene forest-clad area in a village called Ratmalgahawewa 22 miles north-east of Anuradhapura. This sacred site called Handagala cave temple could be reached by proceeding about two miles from Ratmalgahawewa junction on the Kebitigollewa road and continuing westwards for another two miles.
The Chandrasara Forest Hermitage is situated at the remote village of Halmillewa. This village can be reached from the Thalawa – Kekirawa Road.
Rising above the ancient port of Godawaya, Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya reveals a world where kings, monks, and maritime trade converged. From royal tax grants to remarkable statues and customs seals, this 2nd-century BCE cliff-top monastery offers a rare glimpse into Sri Lanka’s early maritime history.
A little beyond the town of Kahatagasdigiliya, my destination, is the historic Gonagiri Rajamaha Viharaya which rises majestically against the backdrop of huge rock boulder.
Godamunna Ambalama or the wayside rest lies in the village of Godamunne. It is said that the pillers used for this rest is from the Rajasinha II’s Castle of Hanguraketa. If so this would be the only remnants of this castle after it was burned down by the Dutch.
Giritale Wewa does not aspire to No. 1 and No. 2 nor (may be) to subsequent reservoirs, by way of the area covered, leaving those priority places to reservoirs as Minneriya Wewa and Parakrama Samudra but if one were to give it a priority place by way of fabled history that could turn out to be factual too, Giritale Wewa comes somewhere among the top.
The oldest incident connected with the site is etched in an 8th century Sanskrit epigraph found at the site which refers to a shrine named Girikandicaitya being established on the hill-top by a company of merchants headed by Tapassu and Bhallika.
