Kudumbigala Monastery is located in the middle of the Pottuvil Forest by the Panama – Kumana road, close to Okanda and the entrance to Kumana National Park. It is only 11 miles away from Panama and upon reaching you will trek through the jungle to get to the foot of the rock.
Introduction
This place is special because of its pagoda, the only cylindrical dagoba in Sri Lanka. Kudumbigala Monastery that has become extremely pure by the touch of twelve thousand great arahants.
Time Taken to Climb Up
The entire climb up will take you about 45 minutes and you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the entire Ruhunu Plateau. This experience is best coupled with a jeep safari into the Kumana National Park.
History
According to historical facts, this monastery was built in 246 BC during the time of King Devanampiyatissa. In the early period of Anuradhapura, during the Rohana Kingdom period, there was a Buddhist revival in this area, there are drip-filled caves, inscriptions, and old Dagabs scattered here. A stone inscription has it that the Maha Sudharshana Lena was built and gifted to the Arahats by the Giant Warrior Nandimithra, one of King Dutugemunu’s “Dasa Maha Yodayas”, the ten giant warriors.
It was first established as a refuge for the Buddhist Monks who wanted to get away from the busy Cities. Archaeologists had recovered over 200 rock caves belonging to this forgotten monastery.
What can you see there
Eight ruins of Dagab can be seen at Kudumbigala. It is believed a large number of Dagab have been built within the monastery premises, giving Kudumbigala its other name ‘Chethiya Pabbatha’. A large number of pillars, columns and ponds carved into the rocky compound of the monastic complex dates back to the seventh century AD. There is evidence to suggest that the caves may have been used as a modest hermitage till the early 17th century AD. It is significant to note that the remains of the monastery had barely been disfigured in any way following its abandonment.
Natural springs are located in several places on this land. Mammals such as elephants, tigers, spotted deer, dark leopards, wolves, and deer, bull, bear, and jackals that can be seen in the dry zone are still present in this area.
Life at Monastery
Life in a monastery is difficult, and monks get only basic facilities to maintain their lives. We feel that Kudumbigala Monastery is the most challenging place to have a monk life because it is far away from the normal human habitat and has very few facilities for the monks who live there. Same time it’s a great place to meditate and achieve higher states of mind.
Story of the Maithree Upasaka
After the era of the Arhats ended, this land must have been covered with forest again. Around 1942, a Upasaka gentleman came through this great forest. That is Upasaka Maithri. Being a non-religious person by birth, he embraced Buddhism and came alone to this great forest, cleaned the Sudarshan Cave here, and spent his time preaching and meditation.
Later, it was at the invitation of Upasaka Maithri, Tambugala Anandasiri Thero, the predecessor of the current Kudumbigala Novoda, arrived.
If you want to know about the wonderful experiences he has had, you have to read the book he wrote as information about his twenty-five years of life. First, the walls of about 10 caves have been tied up and they have been arranged into booths and preaching has started. More than 10 inscriptions belonging to the pre-Christian era are found here.
He was a Catholic from Negombo. While working in the Ceylon Railway he discovered the hidden history of the Sinhalese, which changed his life forever. In 1954, he came to Kudumbigala Monastery and cleaned up the place. There he lived, meditated, and safeguarded the place for the future generations of Sri Lankans until he died on the 10th of September, 1971. Today, he is regarded as the hero who protected this historic place.
Until 1994, the remains of the Maithree Upasaka were displayed in a rock cave as he wished. Then the LTTE terrorists smashed the glass display and threw his remains into the jungle. We thank the researcher who recovered them from the jungle again.
Tour Highlights
- Observe Brahmi inscriptions
- Look at the only cylindrical dagobas that exist in Sri Lanka
- Admire a structure built in the time of King Devanampiyatissa
- Learn the unique and obscure history of the monastery
Important Tips
- Too strenuous for small children. Suitable for 12 and older.
- Not accessible for travelers with limited mobility or ailments.
- Duration approximately 1.5 hours + time taken to drive there and back.
- Wear light comfortable clothing. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes for climbing would come in handy
- Due to drive times and proximity this experience might be best coupled with a Jeep Safari into the national park.
How to go there
From Arugam Bay travel approximately 25.8 km along the Panama Road passing Panama to reach Kudumbigala Monastery.
Route from Colombo to Kudumbigala Monastery
Through: Southern Expressway – Buttala – Monaragala – Arugam Bay – Panama
Distance:420 km
Travel time: 8 hours.
Route from Batticaloa to Kudumbigala Monastery
Through : Kalmunei – Oluvil – Akkaraipattu – Pottuvil – Panama
Distance :140 Km
Travel time : 3.5 hours.
