| Details |
Removed at some point from a neighbouring chena to the ancient site known as Kaṭugaha-galgē (Katugahagalge) or Aturugiri Vihāra, situated about five miles to the north of Buttala in the Kan̆dukara Kōraḷē of the Ūva Province. Edward Müller reported the pillar’s presence at Katugahagalge in his Ancient Inscriptions in Ceylon, which was published in 1883, hence we can conclude that the pillar must have been moved before this date. At Katugahagelge, the pillar currently stands outside a large cave situated on the steep side of a huge granite rock on top of which there is a small stupa now renovated. A part of the cave has been walled, in comparatively recent times, to form a shrine and six cells as living quarters for the monks. In front of the cave are remains of ancient structures, the stonework of which is plain and archaic and bespeaks an early date.
|