Rock Inscriptions, 



183 



and two to the north of the road leading from the latter village 

 to Kurnegalle. The Vihare is one of the so-called rock temples, 

 being built under a projecting ledge of granite which forms 

 part of the roof. The dwellings of the priests, the Banna- 

 maddooas, are at the foot of a natural talus or debris, the 

 former being built in the usual manner, forming a square 

 with a small open and sunk court in the centre. These in- 

 scriptions are in the character most commonly observed in 

 rock inscriptions in this District, and are unfortunately quite 

 unintelligible to the priests. 



No. II. Is carved high up the overhanging rock previously 

 mentioned; the letters are large and deeply cut. The granite 

 has however unfortunately scaled off in some places, and has 

 probably to some extent mutilated the inscription. 



No. III. Is on a small projecting knoll close to the entrance 

 of the priests' dwellings, and seemed to be all but unknown 

 to the natives, till I caused it to be cleared from the earth in 

 which it was well nigh buried. 



No. I Y. Is on a smooth face of a rock above a deep natural 

 hollow, serving as a reservoir of water, about one hundred 

 yards west of the last. 



With regard to the first mentioned of these inscriptions, 

 the natives believe it to have been cut either by the imme- 

 diate predecessor of the present head priest, who is himself 

 an aged man, or else at a time one generation more remote. 

 Of the other two they can say nothing. 



No. V. This I copied from a small loose block lying in 

 the jungle, about fourteen miles south of Putlam, and two 

 from the main road. The block has unfortunately at one 

 time been used by the natives for sharpening cayties, &c, a 

 circumstance which explains its present condition. 



A few scattered stone pillars in the vicinity prove that in 

 some former age there was a Vihare in the neighbourhood. 

 I am not aware, however, that the natives have any traditions 



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