Kuragala Ancient Buddhist Monastery

Kuragala (Sinhala: කූරගල) is a pre-historic archaeological site consisting of an early human settlement during the late Pleistocene period and ruins of ancient Buddhist Cave temple complex, dating back to the 2nd century BC, in Balangoda, Sri Lanka. The temple complex is located on the Balangoda – Kaltota road (B38) approximately 24 km (15 mi) distance from the Balangoda town. The site has been formally recognized by the Government as an archaeological reserve in Sri Lanka. Kuragala is considered the oldest archaeological site found in the Intermediate Zone.

History
Pre-historic evidence

According to the archaeological evidence found, the Kuragala area had been used by humans belonging to the pre-historic period. From the excavations, archaeologists found stone tools, fossilized bone fragments, and remains of a human skeleton that is believed to be aged more than 8,000 years. Investigations further revealed that the humans who lived in Kuragala may have close links with the coastal areas as it found the remnants of seashells and shells of clams. Recent studies done in the Kuragala Kaltota Diyawinna area have revealed that besides hunting, they had also engaged in agricultural activities as well.

Buddhist monastery

The extensive investigations, carried out by the archaeological department at the Kuragala, uncovered evidence that the caves at the site were used as a Buddhist monastery during the period between the 3rd century BC and the first century AD. An archaeological report on the Kuragala area, published by C.H. Collins in 1932, documents the two cave shelters and 2nd-century BC Brahmi inscriptions as well as the carved stone lintels, stairways, and platforms, located at the foot of the Kuragala brae (Budugala area). From eye copies, C. H Collins published his interpretations of Kuragala inscriptions in JRASCB, XXXII, 1932. These inscriptions were reread and republished in Inscriptions of Ceylon Vol. I am by the archaeological department.

Research done by Sri Lankan archaeologists and epigraphers has established that inscribed cave shelters were made for Buddhist monks by donors as religious donations. Caves provide shelter to them during the annual rainy season retreat as prescribed in Theravada Buddhist tradition. The existence of drip-ledged caves in a site indicates that they were inhabited by Bhikkhus during the past period and epigraphs further reveal the names of donors who donate the prepared caves to them.

At the summit of the Kuragala is a brick-built Stupa which is now an archaeologically protected monument. The Stupa is considered to belong to the tradition of Akasa Chaithya which type of Stupa was built in the 7th century CE to serve as a communication beacon giving directions.

Muslim shrine

According to the book written by Jailani Mosque, it is claimed that there are several writings in Arabic, and the direction of the Kaaba (kibla) is shown in the form of a mihrab cut into the rock and a tombstone with the words “Darvesh Mohiyadin Darvesh”, and the remains found when excavating to build the mosque, was laid to rest on the southern side of the mosque with the date Hijri 715. It claims Hituwangala to be “Kai Adi Malai” (Palm print rock) as the Saint is said to have placed his palm print in sandalwood paste. While present structures were built in the 20th century, Arabic inscriptions and a dervish tombstone suggest the shrine’s ancient Muslim use.

In 2013 at the behest of Buddhist Nationalist organizations such as the BBS the then Defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapakshe ordered the removal of additional structures, such as administration offices, pilgrim rest areas, and tea shops within the archaeological zone. The demolition was carried out by members of the Civil Defense Corps under the direction of the Defense Ministry but the mosque and the tombs remain.

Faiza Latif

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