Kalagam Vehera Ruins in Kebithigollewa

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The large Asana and the remains of the Asanaghara at the Kalagam Vehera also known as Gal Enda Viharaya
Photo by By Dr. Kavan Ratnatunga

Kalagam Vehera, located in Halmillawetiya, Kabithigollewa, is an ancient Buddhist temple complex dating back to pre-Christian times. Following the Anuradhapura period, a series of invasions from South India forced the Sinhalese civilization to migrate southward. As a result, hundreds of once-thriving Buddhist monasteries were either looted and destroyed by Tamil invaders or left abandoned, gradually reclaimed by the surrounding wilderness.

Rediscovery and Local Significance

By the late 20th century, only a few remnants remained at the site—most notably a cluster of stone pillars and a massive Asanaghara (a symbolic seat representing the Buddha). Due to this prominent feature, the ruined monastery became locally known as Gal Enda Viharaya—meaning “Temple with the Rock Bed”—a name used by villagers in the Kebithigollewa area.

Impact of Civil Conflict

With the rise of Tamil militancy in the North, the Kabithigollewa region became a frequent target of attacks. In October 1995, the terrorists of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) brutally hacked to death around 20 villagers in Thammennagama, near Kebithigollewa. Subsequent years saw continued violence, including an attack on the village of Kalyanapura in Gomarankadawala, where seven civilians were slain.

On the morning of 15th June 2006, the biggest blow to these innocent village folk came in the form of 2 Claymore mine bomb attacks on a crowded bus travelling between Kebithigollewa and Thalgahawewa killing 64 innocent villagers, including 15 children. Among the dead was the priest of the Gal Enda Rajamaha Viharaya.

This tragedy forced many villagers to flee, echoing the fate of their ancestors centuries earlier. Many sought refuge in camps located in government-controlled areas, and once again, the temple was left in neglect.

Post-War Restoration Efforts

Following the defeat of the LTTE in 2009, normalcy gradually returned to these rural villages. With the initiative of the then Magistrate of Kebithigollewa and the Department of Archaeology, restoration work on the ancient monastery commenced. The Civil Defense Force provided labor under archaeological supervision.

The Stupa

The temple’s stupa had originally been constructed on a high, square platform. While the invading forces destroyed the structure itself, the pedestal managed to survive. Based on its architectural features, scholars believe the stupa dates to the mid-Anuradhapura period. Excavations at the site revealed the Yupagala—the central pillar of the stupa—among the ruins.

The Asanaghara

Adjacent to the stupa lies an exceptionally large Asanaghara rock slab, regarded as the largest of its kind discovered in Sri Lanka. Before the tradition of sculpting Buddha statues began, the Asanaghara served as a sacred symbol representing the Buddha and was used as an object of veneration. The presence of this feature suggests that the origins of Kalagam Vehera date back several centuries before the Common Era.

Scholars identify the Bodhighara (Bodhi tree shrine), Chethiyaghara (stupa shrine or Vatadage), and Asanaghara as the three oldest elements of Buddhist architecture in Sri Lanka. While the Bodhighara and Chethiyaghara are frequently mentioned in early Buddhist texts, references to the Asanaghara are rare. However, some mention exists in ancient commentaries (Attakatha) and chronicles such as the Mahavamsa and Deepavamsa.

From an archaeological perspective, the Asanaghara rose to prominence around the same period that the sacred footprint (Siripathulgala) became widespread as a symbolic representation of the Buddha. According to Gunapala Senadheera in Buddhist Symbolism and Wish Fulfillment, the use of symbolic seats can be dated between the 3rd century BCE and the 9th century CE. With the emergence of Buddha statues in Sri Lanka, symbolic representations gradually declined.

Early Conservation Work

Initial conservation efforts at Kalagam Vehera took place between 1963 and 1965. The large rock slab of the Asanaghara measures approximately 4.52 meters (14 feet 10 inches) in length and 2.01 meters (6 feet 7 inches) in width. Its upper surface edges and the undersides of the narrower faces have been carefully molded.

Epigraphic Evidence

During restoration, the Department of Archaeology unearthed a broken pillar inscription around 200 meters from the main site, situated on private land. When three fragmented sections were reassembled, they provided valuable historical context. According to the inscription, the Gal Enda Temple was originally known as Kalagam Vehera and was part of the Mangala Pirivena, which itself belonged to the ancient Abhayagiri University complex. The inscription was commissioned by King Kassapa IV, who ruled from 898 to 914 CE during the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

The Unique Bodhighara

One of the most important discoveries at the site is the Bodhighara located in front of the Asanaghara. This is the first instance where conclusive evidence has been found detailing the method of planting and nurturing a Bodhi tree within such a shrine. Following conservation, the Bodhighara was filled with sand to protect it from further damage, leaving only a small section visible above ground. A photograph taken during the excavation offers a rare glimpse of how the Bodhighara appeared before it was reburied.

The restored pillar inscription of King Kassapa IV (898-914) at Kalagam Vehera Ruins

The Bodigara filled with sand after excavations at Kalagam Vehera Ruins

The Bodigara after excavations at Kalagam Vehera Ruins

The content of the pillar inscription explained at Kalagam Vehera Ruins

The description of the Stupa explained at Kalagam Vehera Ruins

References

Godakumbura, C. E. (1964). Administration Report of the Archaeological Commissioner for the Financial Year 1962-63: Part IV – Education, Science and Art (G). Government of Ceylon.
Godakumbura, C. E. (1965). Administration Report of the Archaeological Commissioner for the financial year 1963-64: Part IV – Education, Science and Art (G). Government of Ceylon.
Ratnapala, M.G. (1997). වජ්‍රාසනය. සංකෘතික පුරාණය, 2(8), pp.31-38.
Moses, T. (2020, September 26). යුද්ධයේ බිහිසුණුකම අතරින් යළි ගොඩගැඟුණු හල්මිල්ලවැටිය. Silumina. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://archives1.silumina.lk/2020/09/26/රසඳුන/යුද්ධයේ-බිහිසුණුකම-අතරින්-යළි-ගොඩගැඟුණු-හල්මිල්ලවැටිය

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