The Hindagala Viharaya, Kandy, which is many centuries old, is believed to have been the hermitage for the bikhus and it boasts of a serene and calm surrounding. It is situated about 6 miles from Kandy proper on the Galaha Road. The nearest landmark for reaching this site is the University of Peradeniya. There are two ways by which tourists can enter the Hindagala Viharaya, Kandy. One of them is a steep road and the other is a flight of 228 steps starting from a small ambalama.
At the Hindagala Viharaya, Kandy is situated a rock temple or the 'len viharaya'. Primarily the paintings and engravings on the rocks have offered the archeologists sufficient data about the viharaya. A couple of Brahmi rock inscriptions suggested that the Hindagala Viharaya in Kandy was built between the 6th and the 7th Century. Prof. Senarath Paranavithana was named 'Hindagala' after the word Indasala. Folklores however, offer other versions of the reason behind the nomenclature.
Locals believe that one day King Walagamba had shot an arrow which fell in front of a rock that resembled an elephant. The word 'Viddha' means arrow and later it was colloquially translated into what is now called the 'Hindagala'. There are primarily two paintings in the cave. One of them depicts two merchants Thapassu and Bhalluka offering alms to the Buddha. The other painting illustrates the episode during which 'Sakra Deiyo' or the Supreme Deity visited Buddha at the Indasala Cave to listen to a sermon.
The Hindagala Viharaya, Kandy is affiliated to the Malwatu Maha Viharaya and the Viharadhipathi Ven. It is now considered that the place has another important significance. When the British came over to Kandy they decided to shift the 'tooth relic' from Kothmale to Kandy. Before the party reached Kandy it was evening and the sacred 'tooth relic' was placed at the Hindagala Viharaya. The necessary rituals were performed till the dawn. Till date the clay casket in which the 'tooth relic' was contained is present in the viharaya.
There is a reclining statue of Buddha in the viharaya. The people are of the opinion that it was built by Leelawath or Henakadha Biso Bandara. There is also a seated Buddha statue draped in a wavy rope or what is called the 'Rali Sivura'. Many students of medicine and other arts are residents at the viharaya. Hindagala Viharaya is one of the coveted tourist destinations in Kandy.
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