Godawaya Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya

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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.

Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya stands on a rocky outcrop near the mouth of the Walawe River in Godawaya, a small fishing village located between Ambalantota and Hambantota. The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 2nd century BCE by the regional ruler Gotabaya, the father of King Kavanthissa.

Godawaya itself functioned as an active ancient port as early as the 2nd century BCE, and the temple is thought to have served as the administrative center for this harbor. An inscription discovered close to the site records that a later king dedicated the taxes collected from the Port of Godawaya to the temple, further underscoring its historical importance.

Sri Lankan and German archaeologists have been uncovering this ancient monastery, revealing an elevated image house and a chapter house on its western side. Among the discoveries are a 3.50-meter (11.5-ft) standing Buddha statue and two Bodhisattva figures, each about 1.80 meters (5.9 ft) tall, still bearing faint traces of their original paint.

Historians have shown particular interest in the Customs Building on the eastern side of the ancient monastery, which features decorative motifs of an elephant placing its trunk among lotus blossoms. Clay seals marked with a lion emblem were used there to certify that customs duties on goods and cargo had been paid.

Godawaya Rock Inscription

The ancient inscription at Godawaya Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

TEXT
Siddham [|*] Godapavata-patanahi su[ka] su[ri]yi
raja Gamani Abaya viharata dini
TRANSLATION
Success ! The customs duties of the port of Godapavata, King Gmani Abhaya granted to the vihara
(Paranavitana, 1983, p. 101)

The estampage of this inscription was first taken by E. R. Ayrton, Commissioner of the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon from 1912 to 1914, during one of his tours in the Southern Province.

The inscription is composed of two lines, the first measuring about 1.83 meters (6 ft) in length and the second about 0.51 meters (1 ft 8 in). The letters, ranging in height from 6.35 centimeters (2.5 in) to 15.24 centimeters (6 in), are neatly cut and evenly shaped. The script is characteristic of the first or second century CE. (Paranavitana, 1983, p. 101)

The inscription records that King Gamini Abaya (Gamani Abhaya) granted the customs revenue of the port of Godapavata to the vihara located at this site. Paranavitana (1983) suggests that this Gamani Abhaya could be either Gajabahu I (113–135 CE) or an earlier ruler such as Amanda Gamani Abhaya (21–30 CE). Since the inscription offers no decisive evidence to identify the king with certainty, the exact attribution remains unresolved. However, the notice board installed by the Department of Archaeology appears to support the interpretation that the ruler in question was Gajabahu I.

Ambalantota Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya

Broken Ruins - Ambalantota Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya

Ruins of Godawaya Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya <br> Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

References

Paranavitana, S. (1983). Inscriptions of Ceylon : Volume II Part I Containing Rock and Other Inscriptions From the Reign of Kutakanna Abhaya (41 B.C. 19 BC-19 B.C.) to Bhatiya II (140-164, A . D .): Vol. II-Part I. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

Also See

Godawaya Prehistoric Site

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Route from Colombo to Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya at Godawaya	Route from Hambantota to Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Viharaya at Godawaya
Via : Southern Expressway distance : 220 km Travel time : 3.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Distance :16 km Travel time : 20 mins Driving directions : see o n google map