PIDURAGALA CAVE no. 2

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Something along the lines of a long cave (note 1) or a large cave (note 2), which represents a cave dwelling (note 3) or rock-temple (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 12) that now serves as a vihara (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: ?, 1983: 114), contains a colossal statue of Buddha in addition to an inscription (rock art: epigraphy). SITUATION: Close to the summit of the rock (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 251; 1983: 253) at the village of Piduragala (N07°58': E080°46'), which lies about a mile (1 or 2 km) north (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 251; 1983: 114, 253) of Sigiriya (N07°57': E080°45'). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1: Piduragala Cave no. 2 is a large cave in which reposed a colossal image of the recumbent Buddha, made from brick and stucco. One of the caves now serves as a vihara. Under its drip ledge is a record in Brahmi script (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: 251; 1983: 114, 253). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2: A long cave [wide rock shelter?] on the east of the summit has been divided into three sections by walls. Near thiscave is a 7th century inscription, which refers to the donation of gold and of fields. In one image house of this cave is a large recumbent Buddha statue made of brick and stucco, probably 10th century, and on the wall of another image house is the drawing of a woman (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: ?, 1983: 114). CULTURAL HISTORY -- rock art (epigraphy): … copies of Nagara inscriptions which appear on the rock of Sigiri, and on the neighbouring hill … the rock-temple of Pedurugalla … (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 12).cave is a 7th century inscription, which refers to the donation of gold and of fields. In one image house of this cave is a large recumbent Buddha statue made of brick and stucco, probably 10th century, and on the wall of another image house is the drawing of a woman (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: ?, 1983: 114). CULTURAL HISTORY -- rock art (epigraphy): … copies of Nagara inscriptions which appear on the rock of Sigiri, and on the neighbouring hill … the rock-temple of Pedurugalla … (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 12).