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JOURNAL, R.A.S, (CEYLON). 



[Vol. VIII. 



KASAGAL VIHARA. 

 By E. R. Gunakatna, Esq., Atapattu Mudaliydr. 



The above is the name of a temple historically famous, 

 but of which very little is known at present. During a 

 trip to the Hambantota District in February last, reference 

 was made to it casually by a friend, and the few particulars 

 gleaned from him were of such interest that a visit was 

 paid to it with the intelligent Mndaliyar of the District. 



The vihara is situated in the village Udayala in the 

 Marakada Resthouse Division of the Giruwa Pattu, on the 

 minor road from Ranna to Wirawila. Some are of opinion 

 that it took its name from the hue of the robes of the large 

 fraternity of monks that once on a time hallowed its 

 precincts, so that even the rocks looked yellow (kasa-gal) ; 

 others, that the name was derived from the bright yellow 

 flowers of the grove of kinihiriya* trees with which the 

 precincts abound, and which, when in blossom, completely 

 hide the rocks. The latter conjecture seems most likely, 

 as at the time of the visit these pretty flowers in full blossom 

 were particularly striking on a number of trees, evidently 

 the remnants of those which gave their name to this temple. 



Our poets frequently refer to the gamboge hue of the 

 kinihiriya flowers, in describing one of the rays that 

 emanated from Buddha's person,! and the tree no doubt was 

 considered ornamental in the parks and pleasure grounds. 



* Cistus lobatus, Rock -rose, Wilid. 

 f In the Kdvyasekaraya : — 

 Sapu peti sadaca lesa 

 Kinihiriyamal isina lesa. — Verse 111. 

 " (Golden rays flashed about) as if champaka petals were set, or kinihiriya 

 flowers strewn about," 



Veta nika mal maharu, mutu del lakala piyakaru 

 Supul kiiiihiri turn, sedfbebalena rantoran yuru.— Verse 61. 

 "The kinihiriya trees in full blossom, with the nika flowers close by, 

 like a valuable pearl network, resembled golden arches in gay display." 

 In the Paravisandese, too : — 



Sinduwara kesara kinihiribijupura mandara 



Magatura nohera tura tura wala bala mitura.— Verse 54. 



