Owagiriya Ancient Monastery

Built in the second century BC, the Owagiriya ancient monastery is being given a fresh breath of life with the commencing of archeological excavations on site revealing a rich heritage in an era gone by.A rock plateau carved with steps leads to the inside of the monastery, which would have housed hundreds of Arhants and has the remaining of stone constructions, that would have once been meditation chambers, preaching halls, alms halls, kitchens and hostels.

Many ruins including rocks pillars of various sizes, moonstones, guard stones, Korawakgalor rock stairway railings were abandoned to the nature and time until rescued by the archeological department in 2008. The excavations had recently unearthed the ancient ovagiriya stupa, which the legends hold to contain the sacred relics of Lord Buddha and hundred other arhants and excavation into the inner chambers of the stupa is on the process.

The temple believed to be a creation of King Kawantissa, the ruler of Digamadulla is said to be the temple at which his two sons reconciled after months long dispute over the ownership of the throne.  Although no archeological evidence had been found to corroborate this ancient legend, Owagiriya is expected to reveal many historical secrets during the excavations in years to come.

Things to Do: Pilgrimage, sightseeing, photography and archeology