Gopala Pabbatha
| Alternative name | Gōpala Pabbata |
|---|---|
| Location | Mihintale, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka |
| Coordinates | 8°21′07″N 80°30′32″E / 8.352°N 80.509°E |
| Type | Monastic complex |
| History | |
| Builder | Attributed to King Mahadathika Mahanaga |
| Founded | c. 1st century CE |
| Periods | Anuradhapura Kingdom |
| Cultures | Early Historic Period |
Gopala Pabbatha (Sinhala: ගෝපාල පබ්බත, Tamil: கோபால பப்பத்த) is an ancient Buddhist monastic complex located near the main religious site of Mihintale in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka.[1] The site is historically significant for its rock-cut caves and, most notably, a rock inscription left by King Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21 CE), which details the construction of a stupa and related donations.[2]
Etymology
The name Gopala Pabbatha is derived from Pali and Sanskrit. Gopala (Pali: गोपाल) means "cowherd," and Pabbatha (Pali: पब्बत) means "mountain" or "rock."[3] Thus, the name translates to "Cowherd's Rock" or "Cowherd's Mountain."
History and Archaeology
Gopala Pabbatha is situated on a rock outcrop that forms part of the larger Mihintale mountain range, a cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The site consists of several natural rock shelters that were adapted for monastic use during the early Anuradhapura period. These caves were prepared for resident monks (bhikkhus) by carving drip-ledges (katarama) along the upper edges of the rock to prevent rainwater from flowing into the shelters. This was a common feature of early Buddhist monastic architecture in the island.[4]
The most important archaeological finding at the site is a significant rock inscription attributed to King Mahadathika Mahanaga.
The Inscription of Mahadathika Mahanaga
The inscription is carved on the face of the rock and is written in Early Brahmi script. It is one of the key epigraphical sources for the reign of King Mahadathika Mahanaga.[2] The inscription records the following:
- The construction of a stupa named Salipabata-chetiya (Sāli-pabbata-cetiya) at the site by the king.
- The donation of revenues from the Aketaka-vavi canal by the king's consort, Queen AnuỊa, for the maintenance of the stupa, including provisions for lamp oil and other offerings.[2]
This inscription is historically valuable as it provides direct evidence of royal patronage for Buddhist constructions outside the main city of Anuradhapura and confirms the religious importance of the Mihintale area during this period. It also highlights the role of the queen in making significant religious endowments. The inscription is catalogued as No. 68 in Senarat Paranavitana's Inscriptions of Ceylon, Vol. II.[2]
The Site Today
Today, Gopala Pabbatha is protected as an archaeological site by the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka. Visitors can see the ancient caves with their drip-ledges and view the rock inscription. The site offers insight into the ascetic lifestyle of early Buddhist monks and the nature of royal patronage in ancient Sri Lanka. While the stupa mentioned in the inscription no longer stands, the site remains an important part of the historical and religious landscape of Mihintale.
See also
- Mihintale
- Anuradhapura Kingdom
- Mahadathika Mahanaga
- Sri Lankan Brahmi Inscriptions
- Vessagiri
References
- ^ "Gopala Pabbatha". Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ Rhys Davids, T.W.; Stede, William (1921). The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary. Chipstead: The Pali Text Society. p. 415.
- ^ Bandaranayake, Senake (1974). Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Viháras of Anurádhapura. Leiden: Brill. p. 139. ISBN 978-90-04-03992-6.