Buddangala Monastery

This old monastery and Buddhist meditation centre is located 8km from Ampara town. It was built in and around a rocky mountain scattered with ponds, in the 2nd century BC by Princess Citra. Five buildings with a ruined stupa can still be seen there. There are 5 rock springs, which add to the beauty of the surroundings, and a thick jungle around the monastery with wild elephants and leopards. The highlight of this hermitage is a 500-foot tall stupa with a preserved relic of the Buddha and his two main disciples Arhant Sariputta and Arhant Moggallana. Besides, many ruins with archaeological value can be found here e. g. Stone Pillars, Door Frames, Stone Seats, Moon Stones, Balustrades and Guard Stones, Stone Foot Prints and Golden Casket. An annual religious festival takes place in June (Poson Day) when it is crowded with many devotees. Buddangala Monastery is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient forest hermitages, but it was hidden for a long time because of the civil war.