No. 40.— 1890.] kurunegala rocks. 



417 



the front of the rock have penetrated the earth. Hence the 

 access to the temple is by a zig-zag flight of steps rudely 

 constructed of loose slabs of rock, extending over three 

 quarters of a mile. The climb is very wearying, and not 

 likely to be forgotten once made. On arriving at the first 

 landing only a portion of the temple, which peeps from 

 underneath the overhanging rock, is to be seen. Another 

 short flight of steps brings the visitor to the second landing, 

 from which the temple is entered from the northern side. 



There are A shaped cuttings in the rock overhead, 

 intended, it is said, to arrest the flow of rain water into the 

 interior of the building. 



Inside the temple there is a large figure of Buddha in a 

 reclining posture, 18 cubits in length, two small figures, one 

 in a sitting and the other in a standing attitude, being placed 

 at the head and feet, respectively. The Su-visi-vivaranaya 

 is painted over the roof, and Rahat priests all over the walls. 

 There is a painting of Vishnu near the head of the large 

 image, and of Maitri in his paradise over the entrance in 

 the interior of the temple. 



The irksome and trying ascent thither is compensated for 

 by a most beautiful view of the surrounding flat country, 

 with Dolukanda and other hills in the distance. 



There is a gap in Yakdessa-gala, about a mile from Seru- 

 wewa, which is known as Goluwdkada, and leads from 

 Mahagalboda Megoda to Kudagalboda Korale, between which 

 is the rocky ridge. 



The best view of Yakdessa-gala is obtained from the 

 Puttalam road. Six miles along this thoroughfare there is a 

 village path which branches off to the right and leads to 

 Maragama ; thence about a mile and a half across country 

 brings you to Ganegoda, which is a vihdregama, lying at the 

 base of the rock. 



Not a hundred yards from the foot of Yakdessa-gala stands 

 a huge boulder of rock, from underneath whose overhanging 

 sides peep the temple and its appurtenant buildings. 

 Judging by the comparatively small space allotted to the 



