Kohombagaskada Sri Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya

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Figures carved on the pillars of Kohombagaskada Sri Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya

Tucked away in the jungles of Anuradhapura, the Kohombagaskada Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya unveils centuries-old ruins, mystical caves with Brahmi inscriptions, and intricate carvings of elephants and mythical beings. A hidden sanctuary of history and devotion, it whispers stories from the dawn of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Hidden deep within the jungles of Kahatagasdigiliya in the Anuradhapura District lies the Kohombagaskada Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya. Resting upon the ruins of a once-thriving monastery more than a thousand years old, the temple grounds are scattered with stone stumps, intricate carvings, and artifacts that whisper of a long, sacred history.

The Journey to the Temple

The approach to this forgotten monastery is as captivating as the site itself. From the village of Kohombagaskada, travelers turn off near the Hettu Wewa Reservoir and continue for about 3.2 kilometers. The road meanders past golden paddy fields, quiet forest paths, and the still waters of the Divul Wewa Reservoir. Finally, the great Bambarahela Rock, rising 350 meters, reveals the temple’s location.

Stone Artistry and Ancient Ruins

Exploring the grounds, visitors will notice an array of stone artifacts. Particularly striking are the short pillars decorated with images of elephants, monkeys, snakes, and mythical beings such as dragon heads and Gurula. Some bear carvings of miniature pagodas and pots.

In front of the cave lie the ruins of two ancient flights of steps. At their base stand two stone pillars, likely once used as guard stones. One bears carvings of a cobra and a monkey with mangoes, while the other depicts a stupa and an elephant.

Sacred Symbols Near the Bo-Tree

Close to the Bo-tree stand the remains of pillar bases, likely from a bodhigara built to shelter it. Two sacred stone footprints are preserved here — one measuring 68 cm and another 51 cm — both carefully carved into stone.

The Caves of Devotion

The site boasts twelve caves with drip-ledges, many of them carrying early Brahmi inscriptions recording donations to the Sangha. Six caves still bear the names of their patrons. Some caves remain in use today:

One large cave, measuring 25 meters, has four rooms and retains a fragment of an ancient inscription.
Another, to the southeast, has clay and stone walls enclosing a space of 8.5 by 6 meters.
Behind Bambarahela Rock, a cave has been transformed into an image house, its walls lime-plastered and adorned with lotus and creeper motifs. Inside are Buddha statues alongside images of Visnu, Bodhisattva Maitreya, and King Devanampiya Tissa — though these figures are of more recent origin.

Several other caves carry inscriptions naming donors such as Parumaka Ayaka, Bata Utiya, and Parumaka Tisa. The largest, known as Navatinagalge, is 15.5 meters long and bears a Brahmi record of its donation by Parumaka Miliya, son of Parumaka Sumana.

Echoes of Early Buddhism

Folk tradition holds that this sacred site dates back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. It may well have been among the first settlements after Buddhism’s introduction to Sri Lanka, with natural caves converted into dwellings for monks. The inscriptions repeatedly use the word Parumaka, a title for local chieftains, suggesting that these hereditary leaders were the monastery’s earliest patrons.

A Statue Overlooking Time

Today, crowning the summit of Bambarahela Rock, a recently built Buddha statue gazes serenely over the forests and reservoirs below.

Kohombagaskada Sri Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya

References

Wikramagamage, C. (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major Natural, Cultural and Historic Sites (1st ed.). Rajarata Development Bank and Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

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Travel Directions to Kohombagaskada Sri Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Anuradhapura to Kohombagaskada Sri Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya	Route from Habarana to Kohombagaskada Sri Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya
Through : Mihintale Road Distance : 40 km Travel time : 50 minutes Driving directions : see on Google Maps	Through : Thalawa Road Distance : 56 km Travel time : 1.15 hours Driving directions : see on Google Maps