Ancient alagankanda Cave Temple
Alagankanda ancient temple lies in the District of Kurunegala in the village
of Algama. Although this cave temple has not caught the public eye, it
has been found that this temple goes back to the time of King Walagamba
(89-77 BC) and probably built by him.
The king Walagamba (aka Vattagamini Abaya) spent 14 years in exile hiding
from South Indian invaders before he finally manage to chase them away
them. During this time he took refuge in number of caves through out
the country hiding from spies and gathering forces to defeat the invaders.
After he re instated himself as the rightful king of the country, it
is said that he built cave temples in every cave he took refuge during
his exile.
Archaeology department has found that this temple shows work during the
periods of Walagamba(89-77 BC), Kithsiri Mevan (303-311) and Kandyan
periods. About 200 feet above the cave temple is a rock and a tunnel
has been in existence between the cave temple and this rock.
But with time, it has been sealed off. It is said that this rock has
been used as a watch point the king.
A rock inscription in Kothmale Viharaya states Theraputthabaya thero who
was one of the 10 worriers of the King Dutugemunu (161-131 BC) lived
in this temple after he joined the monkhood. One of the rock caves shows
inscriptions written is siam (Thai) language. It is believed that this
cave was used by a siamese priest who traveled to Sri Lanka with Upali
Maha Thero, who brought upasampada from Siam (now Thailand) to form the
Siam Nikkaya during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747 - 1781).
Primary Source : Budusarana , November 20, 2006
Created : December 20, 2010
Updated :
December 20, 2010
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