RASNAKAWEWA VIHARA CAVES

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

In addition to the Rasnakawewa vihara itself, which is built inside a cave (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974, 1983: 106) and contains nine statues and paintings (rock art), there are several drip-ledged caves [note 1], some with inscriptions found all around the hummock of rock on which the vihara stands. SITUATION: The village of Rasnakawewa (N08°34': E080°44') is not indicated on my -Road Map of Sri Lanka- (Survey Department 1977).APPROACH: CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974, 1983: 106): From Kahatagasdigiliya (note 2) north-east along Highway A12 towards Horowapotana (CT 1983: 106) Horowupotana, or Horawapotana (note 3), turn off at the 16th mile (note 4) and proceed about 3 miles [4 or 5 km] on the Nikawewa road (note 5).In addition to the Rasnakawewa vihara itself, which is built inside a cave (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974, 1983: 106) and contains nine statues and paintings (rock art), there are several drip-ledged caves [note 1], some with inscriptions found all around the hummock of rock on which the vihara stands. SITUATION: The village of Rasnakawewa (N08°34': E080°44') is not indicated on my -Road Map of Sri Lanka- (Survey Department 1977).APPROACH: CEYLON TRAVELLER (1974, 1983: 106): From Kahatagasdigiliya (note 2) north-east along Highway A12 towards Horowapotana (CT 1983: 106) Horowupotana, or Horawapotana (note 3), turn off at the 16th mile (note 4) and proceed about 3 miles [4 or 5 km] on the Nikawewa road (note 5).