Piyangala Aranya Senasanaya Explained

Building Name:Piyangala Forest Hermitage
Native Name:පියංගල ආරණ්‍ය සේනාසනය
Location:Piyangala, Ampara, Sri Lanka
Coordinates:7.4961°N 81.6316°W
Province:Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
District:Ampara
Heritage Designation:Archaeological protected monument (26 December 2014)
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:Buddhist Temple
Architecture Style:Cave temple

Piyangala Aranya Senasanaya or Piyangala Forest Hermitage (Sinhalaː පියංගල ආරණ්‍ය සේනාසනය) is an ancient Buddhist temple in Ampara, Sri Lanka. The temple lies on the AmparaMahaoya main road, approximately 27km (17miles) away from the town of Ampara. The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka.

History

It is believed that this temple was constructed during the pre-Christian era. The site consists of a number of drip ledged caves with Brahmi inscriptions and ruins.[1] A few inscriptions detail the donation of caves by Rajithaa, and a daughter of King Dutugamunu. According to the view of Ellawala Medhananda Thera, these inscriptions are important as they reveal the names of Dutugemunu's queens and children.[2]

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Piyangala Aranya Senasanaya. Lanka Pradeepa. 18 April 2018. 25 May 2021.
  2. Book: Medhananda, E.. Aprakata Brahmi Sellipi Ha Puravastu (In Sinhala). Sri Lanka Society of Archaeology. 1984. 4-5.