Anjaligala Rajamaha Viharaya

Angaligala (also known as Anjaleehela, Anjalihela, Anjaleegala) is a Buddhist temple of the ancient Magama Kingdom lying in the picturesque remote village of Debarahela. The new temple as well as the ruins of the ancient temple lie on a rocky plain extending from north to south. Traveling from Thanamalwila towards Weerawila you will come across the turn-off to the Anjaligala Rajamaha Viharaya Temple after about 18 km. Turning at the Department of Archaeology to the left and travel a further 4 km to reach this temple.

Ruins of a heavily weathered and dilapidated stupa are found on the highest point of the rock, on the northern side. Other visible historic artifacts of the site comprise four inscriptions engraved on the natural rock boulders and two ruined building structures. The ruined buildings do not provide clues to understand the date of construction. According to the palaeographical analysis of the three inscriptions, they can be ascribed to the first century CE. The fourth can be dated to the fourth century CE.

One inscription was made during the reign of King Sirimeghavanna (Kithsiri Mevan) (303-311 CE). This inscription has been made at a Royal commemoration ceremony and reveals details of renovations carried out to this monastery located in the northern quarter of Mahagama. King Sirimeghavanna also made a donation of kahavanu (gold coins) for the upkeep of this temple. Since this is in a fragmented state, obtaining more meaningful full information has been limited.

This place has been declared a protected archaeological site by the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.

Faiza Latif

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