The remains of the Bath Ge or the Dana Sala or the Refectory of the monks of the Mihintale Monastery.The building is rectangular with a central courtyard open to the sky and paved with granite slabs.
An integral part of a Buddhist monastery is the Sannipata Salawa or the Assembly Hall where the Bhikkhus of the monastery met to discuss matters of common interests.
In Sinhala Mihintale literally means the “plateau of Mihindu”. This plateau is the flat terrain on top of a hill from where Arahat Mihindu was supposed to have called King Devanampiyatissa, by the King’s first name to stop him shooting a deer in flight.
The ‘Dantha Dhathu’ (Tooth Relic of the Buddha) is one of the most revered objects of worship by Buddhists throughout the world. It now lies in the sanctum sanctorum of the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy enshrined in an embellished reliquary. The relic was brought to the island by chance during the 9th regnal year of king Keerthi Sri Meghavarna (371 AD), and ever since it was protected by kings and laymen who paid homage to it with unbound munificence
The Tooth relic of the Kalinga became an object of great veneration by generations of Kalinga kings until it earned the wrath of brahmanical followers, and consequently several attempts were made to destroy the Relic by the fanatical rulers. Yet, the Tooth relic was miraculously saved from such atrocities. For this reason, the kings of other states attempted to possess the Tooth relic for personal veneration.
A steep flight of stone steps leads to the summit of the Bambaragala rock cave temple, where halfway up is the priests’ residency (Avasa).
North from the lake is situated the Asgiri Raja Maha Viharaya, the other monastic center of the Siyam Nikaya founded by Commander Siriwardhana at the inquest of Parakramabahu IV of Kurunegala (1305-1335 A.D.).
Arulmihu Sivasubramania Swami Kovil has a long history of about 125 years and was built to worship Lord Muruga, otherwise known as God Kataragama.
The building at the entrance of the Arankele Monastery has been identified as a Jantagara or hot water bath. Amongst the other ruins that have been identified are meditating promenades ponds and winding pathways.
Ampitiya Rajamaha Viharaya lies 25kms away from Badulla on the hills of Namunukula. The temple was established some 200 year ago but there ruins indication a history going as far as king Walagamba ( 1st century) .
The origin of the Sri Danthapaya Rajamaha Viharaya at Ambulugala can be traced back to king Parakramabahu VI (1411-1463) who is considered the last king to bring the country under one rule.
Ambilla Raja Maha Viharaya is a virtual art gallery situated in isolation at the historic Sannas Kanda in Matale is considered to have been constructed during the time of king Walagamba.
Ambagamuwa inscription is considered as one of the main sources of information in Polonnaruwa Era. The inscription has been made on the 36th year of King Vijayabahu I (1070-1110).
The Uda Aludeniya Raja Maha Viharaya is located on the Kandy – Gampola road is said to be built by a person called Maayim Bandara during the reign of King Buvanekabahu IV (1341-1351) of Gampola Kingdom.
Aluvihara, meaning “Cave of Light,” is a legendary 3rd-century BCE monastery where the Tripitaka was first committed to writing during King Valagamba’s reign. This historic Matale site features thirteen rock caves adorned with vibrant Jataka murals, ancient inscriptions, and the library preserving sacred talipot leaf manuscripts.
According to the oral-tradition, one such place, was ‘Aliwatte’ in Yatiyantota with a spacious cave in a massive rock, covering several perches of land, where King Walagamba had found secret accommodation once, during his exile.
Believed to be the place of burial of the founder of Kotte Kingdom, the Tomb of Alakeshwara can be easily reached through the Alakeshwara road on the Pittakotte road.
Algama Kanda Ancient Cave Temple lies in the District of Kurunegala in the village of Algama. Although this cave temple has not caught the public eye, it has been found that this temple goes back to the time of King Walagamba (89-77 BC) and probably built by him.
A document of archaeological interest drawn by J.A.W. Jayasinghe and checked by the Director of archaeology, dated, 10 December 2004, reveals the presence of two Stupas (much buried) at the Agbopura monastic site, one and many more buildings belonging to the site.
The history Polonnaruwa goes as far as 6th century BC when a minister of the king Vijaya (From whom the Sinhalese race was born) established a town called “Vijitha Grama” on the area now called Kaduruwela. This is also the place for the famous “Battle of Vijithapura” between the Great King Dutugamunu (161-131 BC) and the Tamil invader Elara in his effort to re-unite the country under one Sinhalese King.
