onagolla Vihara (Sinhalaː ගොනාගොල්ල විහාරය) is an antiquated Cave sanctuary arranged in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. The Vihara is otherwise called punchi Seegiriya (Little Sigiriya) by local people since the sanctuary contain antiquated frescoes like Sigiriya. The site is in Kotmale Canal Settlement in Wewagampattuwa Division and lies around 4.8 km (3.0 mi) east of Kohombana Junction on Ampara – Gonagolla Road. The sanctuary has been formally perceived by the Government as an archeological site in Sri Lanka.[1] The assignment was pronounced on 10 October 2014 under the
There are clear proof that the stone hollows of the sanctuary were possessed by antiquated Vedda individuals by finding their canvases in adjacent premises. Among one of the stone buckles, the remaining parts of old frescoes, like Sigiriya can be seen. Two more collapse the Vihara premises contains Brahmi shake engravings going back to 3-fifth hundreds of years.
In spite of the fact that it is trusted that a few developments in the Vihara have a place with the third century BC.[3] The remaining parts of two old lakes, and the Stupa of Anuradhapura time, by the frescoes give in, are case for them. Among different remnants a Vatadage, Chatra stones, stays of huge scale structures with cut stone columns and shake stairways can be seen around the vihara premises.
In 1956 the Archeological Department discovered a few remainders of frescoes have a place with third century AD on vaulted roof of a collapse Gonagolla temple.[4] The frescoes have been drawn on an exceptional put surface and portray a scene of youthful female artist and a man who is affirmed to be a Bodhisattva. The female figure is practically indistinguishable to popular Sigiriya ladies (fifth century) and the two figures have been painted utilizing red, yellow, green and white hues with sharp margins.[1] Due the frescoes, this sanctuary is called Punchi Sigiriya (Little Sigiriya) by locals.[5] Except these frescoes there are some pre-noteworthy artworks drawn by Vedda individuals can be found in few shake hollows of sanctuary premises.[5]
Though we are Sri Lankans, mostly we miss our historical places like this. Actually I heard Gonagolla Vihara for the first time. Next time when I go to Ampara District, definitely I will visit this valuable place. Thanks a lot for the valuable information.