Thonigala Rock Inscription, Anamaduwa

Thonigala Rock Inscription (Sinhala: තෝනිගල සෙල් ලිපිය) is one of archaeological stone inscription, which is situated in Anamaduwa, in Sri Lanka. There are two inscription can be seen and each inscription is about 100 feet long and each letter is about one feet in height and engraved about one inch deep in to the rock. Also it is said to be the largest rock inscription found in Sri Lanka.[1]

Rock Inscription number 1

History

Thonigala rock inscriptions dating back to the first century BC to the period of King Mahaculi Mahathissa (76-62 BC), who was a son of King Walagamba.[2][3] The inscriptions reveal details about a grant of a lake and village to a Buddhist Monastery by the name of Achagirika Tissa Pabbata. Today this Monastery is believed to be the Paramakanda Raja Maha Vihara, which is located about 5 kilometres (3 miles) from Thonigala.[1]

Folklore

There are some folklores that describe how the name of Thonigala formed. The most popular story is relating to Kuveni, who was the first consort of King Vijaya. According to that legend, Vijaya had to marry a princess from India in order to become the king of his new found kingdom (Sri Lanka). Likewise a Madras princess was brought down to Sri Lanka and Kuweni with her children were expelled from the palace. Mourned by this unfair treatment, Kuweni fled to her home area and she cursed Vijaya from top of a rock called Lathonigala. It is said that the Lathonigala was this place called as Thonigala.[4]

Contents
Rock Inscription number 2

Inscription no. 1

Reign: Gamani Abhaya
Period: 1st century AD
Script: Early Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala
Content: "The tank of the chief Tissa, son of the chief Abhaya was donated to the sangha of the four quartes present and absent, in the monastery of Acchagirika Tissa pabbata. The great King Gamini Abhaya dedicated Acchanagaraka and Tavirikiya-nagaraka to the monastery. These donations, the chief Abhaya, caused to be dedicated by the king to the sangha of the four quarters, present and absent"

Inscription no. 2

Reign: Gamani Abhaya
Period: 1st century AD
Script: Early Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala
Content: "This tank has been donated by Lord Tissa, the son of Lord Abhaya; and two places named Achanagaraka and Tawirikiya have been donated by King Gamini Abhaya to the monks of Achagirika Tissa Pabbata temple"

See also

References
  1. "Thonigala Inscriptions at Anamaduwa තෝනිගල සෙල්ලිපිය – ආනමඩුව". amazinglanka.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  2. "Decayed fence discolours ancient inscriptions". sundaytimes.lk. 9 August 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  3. "Ancient rock inscriptions of Sri Lanka, Thonigala". ceylontoday.lk. 1 December 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  4. "Thonigala". exploresrilanka.lk. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

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