Vessagiriya is located few hundred meters left to the
current Isurumuniya on the old Anuradhapura-a-Kurunegala road. This temple
complex is located in and around 3 beautiful bolder formations spread across a
large area in front of the Tissa Weva. On one these is a remains of a dagaba.
Remains of 23 caves with drip ledges which the monks used
can be seen on two of the rock formations. Remains of many buildings had been
found from around the site, among which there were remains of an image house
(pilima geya), dagoba and refectory (monk's dining room). Bricks recovered from
the dagoba had Sinhalese characters belonging to the 10th and 11th centuries.
Also there is a remains of a rate type of a circular building devoid of any
statues or pedestals. Although the purpose of the this building is still a
mystery, archaeologists have found seventy rare coins on excavating this
building.
This site has been housed to 500 priests who received
ordinance from the great thero Mahinda, who brought Buddhism to the country in
250 BC.
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