The Weesagiriya Forest Monastery complex is about half –a- mile south of the Isurumuniya rock. It is on the ancient Anuradhapura – Kurunegala Road. Begun during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa(mid 3rd Century B.C.E), the site was expanded during the reign of King Kassapa (473-491 C.E) and was home to 500 bhikkhus. These bhikkhus lived in rock shelters quarryied from local material. Today’s visitor sees only the bare stones and that too not all, since many of the rocks were carted away and re-used elsewhere.
But when it was occupied, the dwellings were complete with wood and other perishable material. Above the shelters, the names of the donors were written in Brahmi script.
Nestled amidst the scenic landscape near the Tissa wewa, this monastery sprawls across three magnificent boulder formations creating a captivating sight. Among these formations the remnants of a Dagoba can be found on top of one of the rocks.
An inscription found on the site attributed to King Mahinda IV identified the monastery as The Great Royal Monastery of–Bo-Upulvan Kasubgiri. To trace the origin of this name, we must delve into the era of King Kassapa I (477-495 C.E.) who ascended the throne by brutally killing his father King Dhathusena (450-471 C.E.)
According to the Chulawansa, King Kassapa I, upon seizing power, renovated and enlarged Issarasamanarama bestowing it upon his two daughters Bodhi and Uppalawanna. Consequently, based on this historical context, it is concluded that the monastery’s original name was Isurumuniya. By the time inscriptions identifying its original name were found, historians had already named the ancient Meghagiri Vihara as Isurumuniya, even though no inscriptions had been found. Since the name Isurumuniya was already taken and well established this site was thus named Wessagiriya.
Ashtapala Bodhi
According to the Mahavamsa, of the first eight saplings that grew from the Sri Maha Bodhi (Ashtapala Bodhi), King Devanampiyatissa planted one at Issarasamanaramaya. Therefore, the site is known as Wessagiriya today and is one of the sites where an Ashtapala Bodhi was planted.
The remains of 23 caves with drip ledges that bhikkhus used can be seen on two rock formations at Wessagiriya. The remains of many boulders were found around the site, where the relics of an image house (Pilimageya), Dagoba and refectory (bhikkhu dwellings) were found.
Bricks from the Dagoba had Sinhala alphabets from the 10th and 11th centuries. There are also the remains of a rare type of circular building devoid of any statues or pedestals. Although the purpose of this building is still a mystery, archaeologists have found 70 rare coins while excavating the building.
Pabbatha vihara architecture
This site has housed 500 bhikkhus who were ordained by the great Thera Mahinda who brought Buddhism to the country in 250 B.C.E. Wessagiriya is another one of those sites which is rarely visited by pilgrims, as a result this area still remains unspoilt upto now.
Wessagiriya is made in the form of a pabbatha vihara architecture. Archaeologists believe that the pabbatha vihara was built by merging with a natural rock formation.
These are built by arranging several rectangular building areas(courtyards) at different levels surrounded by water. Nearly ten rock inscriptions could be seen at this site. Wessagiriya has been closely associated with Isurumuniya and considered one of the most important monastic establishments dedicated to the use of ascetic bhikkhus in the 2nd century B.C.E.
