Galgiriya Mountain (Longest mountain in Sri Lanka)
The 11 km long Galgiriya Mountain is known as the longest mountain in Sri Lanka. The mountain is situated in the Ahatuwewa Divisional Secretariat of the Galgamuwa Seat and comes under the purview of the Kurunegala District. There are many folk tales associated with this mountain.
In particular, the story of Saliya and Ashokamala unfolds based on the Galgiriya Mountain. Historically, it is accepted that Prince Saliya, the son of King Dutugemunu, married Ashokamala and came to live in the Galgiriya Mountain. Numerous proofs and pieces of evidence supporting this history can still be found on the Galgiriya Mountain even at present. The Galgiriya Mountain, once considered the land where the love story of Saliya and Ashokamala unfolded, is now a sacred place of worship for Aranya Senasana monks (forest dwelling monks), practising meditation. Historical records confirm that Prince Saliya ruled this area as a local leader and constructed tanks and anicuts to promote agriculture. Anyone visiting the area today can witness the agricultural revival that originated from his efforts.
The Galgiriya Mountain is the native land of Prince Saliya, who, as a local ruler, made this area very prosperous. The rock caves testify that Arahath Theras (Enlightened monks) lived on.
this mountain. Cauldrons are carved in these rock caves while stone inscriptions also confirm that enlightened monks lived in this large forest. The sacred site at The Galgiriya Mountain, with a rich heritage, was discovered in 1962 by Arahapola Vipassi Thera. Until then, this area was covered by dense jungle. Vipassi Thera arrived at this place and spent his time in meditating. Later, other monks arrived and started practicing meditation. Since then, this place has become an Aranya Senasana (forest monastery). At present, about 12 monks reside in the Aranya Senasana of Galgiriya Mountain doing meditation. Approximately 60-70 acres belong to this forest monastery, which comprises of more than 20 rock caves. There are four main stone inscriptions in this area although most of them have already been destroyed and the inscriptions have been erased. Additionally, there are inscriptions in the rock caves indicating that enlightened monks lived in this place in the past. The stone inscriptions and cave inscriptions mention that Prince Saliya offered this mountain and stone caves to Pussadeva Arahath Thera. At present this forest monastery has been registered with the Archaeology Department. While a study has been conducted on its stone inscriptions and cave inscriptions, no other research has been undertaken, according to Galgiriya Kanda Aranya Senadhipathi, Vitharanagama Sumedha Thera.
This area also features the most successful tank cascade system in Sath Korala, based on the Galgiriya Mountain. With the water springs originating from the Galgiriya Mountain, around four hundred and twenty tanks in the area have been continuously fed until today. Folklore researcher Karunaratne Mahagamarala said that the water from the Galgiriya Mountain travels all the way to the Tabbowa Reservoir.
The other special feature of the Galgiriya Mountain is the presence of two tanks on top of the mountain; a feature that no other mountain in the island nation can match. Both tanks are believed to have been built by Prince Saliya. The first tank on this mountain is Ahas Wewa, located near Maligathenna. The second tank is built across the place where water from Ahas Wewa resurfaces.