SIDDHAṂ IN03001 : Ṭäṁgoḍa vihāra pillar inscription (version 1.0).

Ṭäṁgoḍa vihāra pillar inscription.

Ṭäṁgoḍa vihāra, in the village of Ītanavatte Tānāyam-gama in the Vellassa Division of the Badulla District, is the site of an ancient Buddhist monastery, renovated in the beginning of the 20th century. Bricks found at the site are of a size that was in vogue in the early centuries of the Christian era. The site has two stone inscriptions. The first, in characters of about the 3rd century, is too fragmentary to be deciphered. The second (the present record), is on a short pillar which has obviously been shifted from its original position. No indication of architectural use. Probably set up by itself. 4 lines of writing beginning from the base and elevating vertically towards the top. Paleographically dated of the 6th century, contemporary to the Nāgirikanda inscription. It is dated in the 4th year of the king Mapuruma Budaha Sirimeka Sirisagaboyi Apaya-payi identified with Kitti Sirimegha from the Cūḷavaṁsa, who flourished in the 6th century, less than a century after the reign of Kumāradāsa of the Nāgirijanda inscription. What is legible of the record contains the names of certain fields and mentions a personage. The purpose was to register a gift, by the individual of the lands named to the vihāra which existed at the place in ancient times.