No. 34. — 1887.] WEHERAGODA DEVALE. 



45 



scene of pilgrimages by Kandyans — the object of veneration 

 at the latter place being the " stone raft," which on inspec- 

 tion I found to be only a heap of stones. A devale, however, 

 is being built at Sinigama by the people, thus affording a 

 proof that offerings are largely made to it. 



But that at Weheragoda there stood a vihare as well as a 

 devale admits of no doubt. Upon the suggestion of a Kapu- 

 rala I had the more elevated ground of the temple premises 

 excavated a foot deep when I last visited the place, but found 

 only an old brick. If a proper excavation is carried out at 

 the sites of both this devale and the vihare (where a dagaba 

 in which Buddha's relics and other treasures are supposed to 

 be buried, must also have doubtless existed) I have reason to 

 believe that articles of archaeological interest will be found. 



As in connection with the Kali Kovila of Bentota, of which 

 I had occasion to write during my residence in that District,* 

 it is the intention of several influential headmen in the 

 Weheragoda division to rebuild the devale on this site. 

 But before the site is covered with any building it would be 

 advisable to excavate it, as it is still almost intact, no proper 

 excavation having been yet made. I have also heard it 

 authoritatively said that this Dewol Deviyo worked so much 

 on the fears of the people of Weheragoda and its environs 

 that not even a grain of gravel has yet been removed from 

 the premises. 



* See C. A. S. Journal, Vol. VIII., No. 29, 1884, pp. 434-9. 



