Thonigala is a place steeped in legend dating back from the times of Vijaya and Kuveni. Located in close proximity to Anamaduwa and only about 300 meters away from the main Puttlam - Kurunegala road, it is easily accessible even using public transport.
What remains to be seen today are two large inscriptions in the rock - said to be the largest rock inscriptions in Sri Lanka. Dating back to the 1st century AD, the inscriptions are believed to be a description of the grants made to the Paramakanda monastery which is located nearby.
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| The start of the short trek to the inscriptions |
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| The path leads through the rocks |
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| The first inscription |
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| Note the size of the inscription - the letters are the biggest I have seen |
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| The path leading to the second inscription |
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| The second inscription |
The inscriptions though are only a part of the charm. The rock formations, the wewa and the surrounding greenery binds you to nature and it is a wonderful place to spend a quiet evening.
There is a super view of the surrounding area if you climb the rock adjoining the second inscription. The Paramakanda monastery can also be seen in the distance.
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| Breathtaking scenery all around - the rock formation in the distance belongs to the Paramakanda Monastery |
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| Zoomed in view |
What makes this place even more special is that it is a place with legends dating back from ancient times. Given below is an extract taken from the Amazing Lanka website which describes these legends.
The rock itself is buried deep in folklore. Its said that this area is the homeland of Kuweni (කුවේණි), the queen of the Daemon Tribe. Once the Vijaya chased away Kuweni (කුවේණි) she fled to her ancestral home area and she cursed Vijaya from top of the Lathonigala which is a rock just before the Thonigala. The history states that the Kuweni (කුවේණි) left her two children at the rock and came to the ancestral village alone and her tribe members killed her for her betrayal of the clan. And the current “Veddhas” ( the indigenous hunters in the area) are believed to be the direct descendents of these children. But their own folklore tells that the Kuweni (කුවේණි) committed subside by jumping off the Lathonigala (literally meaning lamenting rock).
Read more: Thonigala Inscriptions at Anamaduwa | AmazingLanka.com
maru harima vadagath
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