Kudumbigala is an abandoned sanctuary and a monastery complex located on a range of rocks in Ampara Sri lanka.Other than that it is a sacred groove. Close to it is Kumbukkan oya and Yala National park. Kudumbigala is also known as ‘Chethiya Pabbatha’. The hermitage was found and established in 1954 by a devotee named Mathree.
Since it was rediscovered it was hidden in the thick jungle. Upasaka maithree was a catholic. But he came to Kudumbigala and cleaned and safeguarded it. Therefore we must be grateful to him for protecting this historic place. Though it is a historically valuable destination built by King Decanam piya tissa in 2nd century B.C. It is recognized as the first refuge made for Bhikku. He is the initiator to establish Buddhsm in Sri Lanka. Kudumbigala monastery complex is located on a land of 600 acre. Kudumbigala can be reached easily from Panama (11 miles from panama and 17 from Kumana village). There are over 200 cave reservations. The caves were carved with drip ledgers (‘Kattarama’) in order to protect the caves from rain.
The inner walls of the cave are plastered and painted with enthusiastic paintings and frescoes. Rather than other archeological sites Kudumbigala is a untouched complex of cave sand buildings. Apart from that today few monks at the Kudumbigala viharaya are imitating the meditations. Constantly there are no human accommodations nearby this silently standing landmark. But they were never harmed by the wild beasts in the nearby jungle. The largest Cave is called ‘Maha Sudharshana cave’. Inside the cave you can see a Brahmin inscription. The inscription proclaims that it was donated by the warrior ‘Nandika’ who was a general of King Dutugemunu’s Army. Second largest cave is called ‘Giant’ where another inscription has been erected. It is said that this cave was donated by ‘Deva’, another General of the Army. Further the stone scriptions reveal that later Kudumbigala was a hermitage in pre Christian era.
A Cylindrical dagoba is being survived in the hermitage. It was purposely built to provide reservation and accommodation services for Arahant bhikkus of Anuradhapura. This hermitage was consisted of ponds carved into a rock, columns and pillars. The surrounding and the environment is very pleasant and calm. Harking back to 1994, panama was the rural village where a vast homicide of people took place. It was another brutality of the L.T.T.E s’. But today the government has been capable to survive the lasted war and give you a tour friendly environment. Therefore the Kudumbigala maha viharaya mustbe well protected and conserved.