Hindagala Rajamaha viharaya

Hindagala Raja Maha Viharaya is situated in the Kandukarapahala Korale of Udapalatha Division of Kandy District. The cave shrine is situated on a hill ranges belted the Mahaveli river valley about 1.5 kms, away from Peradeniya University turns off on Peradeniya-Galaha Road.

The two rock inscriptions at the site are datable to the 7th century A.D. The older inscription is datable to the 6th century A.D. to the construction of the Bodhigara (Bodhi-house). The other inscription is unfortunately fragmentary and is datable to the 7th century on palaeographical evidence, embodying the words ‘Vataka-Vahara’, indicating the ancient name of the monastery. On stylistic discipline the ancient paintings above the present rock shrine, in historicity could be dated to the 7th century.

One of the paintings portrays the Buddha residing at Indrasala cave, in Magadhadesa (north-eastern India) and god Indra (Sakra) visiting him and posing questions to him and the Buddha answering them to the satisfaction of Indra. This encounter is narrated in the Sakkapannasutta of the Sutta Nikaya. Prof. Senarath Paranavithana is of the opinion that the name ‘Hindagala’ is a derivative of Indasala or Hindasala. The second stage of development of the Vihara is during the Kandyan period of the 14th century A.D.