A seventeen-mile distance separates Kumana Village from Kudumbigala Monastery, which is located eleven miles from Panama. King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka ordered the construction of the Kudumbigala monastery complex in 246 BC. In the beginning, it served as a haven for Buddhist monks seeking solace from the bustling city. Over 200 of the monastery’s rock caves have been uncovered by archaeologists.
Kudumbigala Monastery and Its Significance
In Sri Lanka, this spiritual ground has immense significance since it was blessed by the hands of around 12,000 eminent Arahants. During the time of King Kavantissa, the Chethiya Pabbata Viharaya was supposedly constructed and presented to the Maha Sangha. This temple is now known as the Kudumbigala Thapowanaya Sanctuary.
It is reported that General Nandimithra, who helped King Dutugemunu unite the land, restored it sometime later. Placed smack in the center of a thick forest, this region is mostly composed of big boulders and rocky outcrops. Comparable to India’s Dharmarajika Stupa, the Chethiyagiri Stupa is also built on a cylinder. Nandimithra, one of the ten great giants, is said to have left this inscription in a cave belonging to King Dutugemunu.
What remains at the site to this present day?
A strange sense of oddness permeates the area, and the many ruins provide evidence of extensive natural and human-caused damage. The civil war that raged in the nation for more than 30 years is also said to have done significant damage to the complex’s ruins. There are also many caves on the grounds, and several archaeological digs have been conducted in the area.
Many new historical discoveries were made possible by the decipherment of the stone inscriptions when they were discovered and translated. It is possible to witness the remnants of an old dagoba on Kudumbigala, a massive rock, as well as the natural stone chem that has been used to store water since ancient times. Kudumbigala, with its 700–800 acres of ancient remains, is also undeniably a special place to explore in the Eastern Province. This is due to the shrine’s dry zone location, which is far away from any populated areas. Thambugala Anandasiri Thero, according to legend, restored and safeguarded the holy site in 1954 after it had been vandalized.
Tend to your spiritual needs with some quiet reflection
Calming vistas of lush vegetation provide the perfect backdrop for some quiet reflection. In the distance, on a clear day, is Okanda Beach. The Kudumbigala Monastery Tour is an excellent way to combine sightseeing with a glimpse into the rich religious traditions of the nation.