The monastic remains in the Rajagala could be identified on the mountain which is about 346 meters above the mean sea level. The approach to the flat plain of the mountain is through beautifully build two stone stairways through the dense forest blending with the slope of the mountain. The common buildings such as Stupas, Refectory, Uposathagra (Building devoted to religious observances), Hot Water Bath House, A house build to collect spring water for cooking purposes with two large stone bowls, a small tank and several other unidentified buildings are scattered in this area.
This area could be identified as the areas where the ordinary people were gathered to carryout religious observances and to offer various donations to the meditation monks of the monastery. The dwelling units of the mediation monks who were residing in this monastery were located in the rocky hill above this area converting the caves into dwellings. As much as about 50 such dwellings could be identified in this area together with stone walls build during the 1st century BC still intact. Accordingly it has been identified that above 50 such cave dwellings are scattered in this area and about 500 monks would have lived in these cave dwellings. It is interesting to note some of these caves have inscriptions as “Seethalena” which is depicting the name of cool cave. The interior of these caves are cooler than outside even today due to the flow natural air according to the construction methodology. There are several stone inscriptions scattered in the reserve.
The entire monastic remains scattered in an area of 400 hectares. According to the remains in the archeological reserve the monastery could be identified as a category of PabbathaVihara type with cave dwellings depicting an ancient mediation monastery. This monastic complex has been vacated due to the South Indian invasions in 1215 AD since then it has been gradually deteriorated due to the natural causes and also due to the vandalism by treasure hunters in near past.
Written By: Prof. P. B. Mandawala