Gonagolla Vihara

Gonagolla Vihara (Sinhalaː ගොනාගොල්ල විහාරය) is an ancient Cave temple situated in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. The Vihara is also known as punchi Seegiriya (Little Sigiriya) by the locals since the temple contain ancient frescoes similar to Sigiriya. The site is in Kotmale Canal Settlement in Wewagampattuwa Division and lies about 4.8 km (3.0 mi) east of Kohombana Junction on Ampara – Gonagolla Road. The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka.[1] The designation was declared on 10 October 2014 under the government Gazette number 1884.[2]

Gonagolla Vihara
ගොනාගොල්ල විහාරය
A drip ledged cave with frescoes chamber at right side
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DistrictAmpara
ProvinceEastern Province, Sri Lanka
Location
LocationGonagolla, Ampara, Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates07°24′55.9″N 81°39′20.6″E
Architecture
TypeBuddhist Temple
StyleCave temple

History
The ruined Stupa

There are clear evidence that the rock caves of the temple were occupied by ancient Vedda people by finding their paintings in nearby premises. Among one of the rock caves, the remains of ancient frescoes, similar to Sigiriya can be seen. Two more cave in the Vihara premises contains Brahmi rock inscriptions dating back to 3-5th centuries.

Although it is believed that some constructions in the Vihara belong to the third century BC.[3] The remains of two ancient ponds, and the Stupa of Anuradhapura era, next to the frescoes cave, are example for them. Among other ruins a Vatadage, Chatra stones, remains of large scale buildings with carved stone pillars and rock stairways can be seen around the vihara premises.

Frescoes
The remains of frescoes belong to 3rd century AD

In 1956 the Archaeological Department found out some remnants of frescoes belong to the 3rd century AD on vaulted ceiling of a cave in Gonagolla temple.[4] The frescoes have been drawn on a special plastered surface and depict a scene of young female dancer and a man who is alleged to be a Bodhisattva. The female figure is almost identical to famous Sigiriya maidens (5th century) and both figures have been painted using red, yellow, green and white colors with sharp margins.[1] Due to the frescoes, this temple is called Punchi Sigiriya (Little Sigiriya) by locals.[5] Except these frescoes there are some pre-historic paintings drawn by Vedda people can be seen in few rock caves of temple premises.[5]

Vihara inscriptions

Rock inscriptions set 1

Period: 3rd-4th century AD, Script: Later Brahmi, Language: Old Sinhala
Content (1): "A donation had been made by the wife of district governor Mahinda and the wife of district governor Bakadaya to the Vihara"
Content (2): "A donation of robes for the monks of the Alithaka maha vihara for the rainy season by a person by a person named Ahaya of Maharata"
Content (3): "A donation of money (Kahavanu) by a person to the Alithaka maha vihara for the maintenance of the Ariyavasa ceremony"

Rock inscriptions set 2

Period: 4th-5th century AD, Script: Transitional Brahmi, Language: Old Sinhala
Content (1): "A donation made to the community of monks of the monastery"
Content (2): "A flight of steps was constructed by Nadasaba of Gotigama. The merit thus acquired is offered to all beings"

References
  1. "Gonagolla". Department of Archaeology. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  2. Gazette 1884 & 10 October 2014, p. 922.
  3. "Gonagolla Monastery (Punchi Seegiriya), Ampara". Easternsrilanka. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  4. "Mural paintings in Sri Lanka, Process of evolution". Daily news. 4 February 2004. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  5. "Frescoes at Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya – ගොනාගොල්ල පුංචි සීගිරියේ බිතුසිතුවම්". Amazing Lanka. Retrieved 3 September 2016.

Notes
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