GALGIRIYAWA 'CAVE DWELLING'

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A group of six or seven cave dwellings (note 1) or rock temples (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974, 1983: 251), which generally consist of modified natural rock shelters (or caves), are said to be used for troglodyte religious purposes. SITUATION: (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 249, 250; 1983: 251, 252): At Galgiriyawa (note 2), which lies near the 12ths mile (km 19.3) on the road from Galgamuwa (note 3) south-west to Nikawewa (note 4). PARKER (1909: 333) shows the -kanda- (hill) called Gal-giriya-kanda close to the Nikawae-kanda and the latter appears to correspond to the –>Nagala Rock, another cave bearing hill. IDENTITY: The name of the cave dwelling at Galgiriyawa (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974, 1983) is reminiscent of the names of the –>Nitre caves at –>Galgiriyawah (DAVY 1821: 31 note, nitre-cave 6) –>Giribahwah (DAVY 1821: 31 note, nitre-cave 4).A group of six or seven cave dwellings (note 1) or rock temples (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974, 1983: 251), which generally consist of modified natural rock shelters (or caves), are said to be used for troglodyte religious purposes. SITUATION: (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 249, 250; 1983: 251, 252): At Galgiriyawa (note 2), which lies near the 12ths mile (km 19.3) on the road from Galgamuwa (note 3) south-west to Nikawewa (note 4). PARKER (1909: 333) shows the -kanda- (hill) called Gal-giriya-kanda close to the Nikawae-kanda and the latter appears to correspond to the –>Nagala Rock, another cave bearing hill. IDENTITY: The name of the cave dwelling at Galgiriyawa (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974, 1983) is reminiscent of the names of the –>Nitre caves at –>Galgiriyawah (DAVY 1821: 31 note, nitre-cave 6) –>Giribahwah (DAVY 1821: 31 note, nitre-cave 4).