Hindagala Raja Maha Viharaya
Hindagala Raja Maha Viharaya is a cave shrine and monastery located in the Kandukarapahala Korale of Udapalatha Division, in the Kandy District. It is situated on a hill that offers a panoramic view of the hill ranges of the Mahaveli river valley, about 1.5 km away from Peradeniya University. The shrine has a steep ascent of 50 meters from the ground level, which can be accessed through a narrow pathway and a flight of steps. The hill was selected as a residence for meditative monks in the pre-Christian era, and an epigraphical record about 50 meters above the cave refers to the still-existing Bodhi and Bodhigara, the latter in an advanced stage of dilapidation. The two rock inscriptions at the site are datable to the 7th century A.D. and embody the words 'Vataka-Vahara,' indicating the ancient name of the monastery. On stylistic discipline, the ancient paintings above the present rock shrine, in historicity could be dated to the 7th century. The second stage of development of the Viha...
