Hatthikucchi Viharaya

  

Located in the picturesque landscape covering 300 acres, Hatthikuchchi Aramic complex ( also referred as Hatthikucchi, Hastikuchchi, Hasti Kuchchi and Rajanganaya Ruins) dates back to 3 rd century BC. But this location is most famous as the place that exiled king Sirisangabo offered his own head to a pheasant. Although King Sirisangabo ruled the country only for two years (251-253 AC) and didn’t built any significant monuments or irrigation systems nor won any war, he is one of the most known kings of the history of Sri Lanka. After the death of King Sanghatissa, his son, Sirisangabo was given the the throne and his more ambitious brother Gothabaya was given the post of the treasurer. Many didn’t expect Sirisangabo to be successful as a king with his bodhisattva like lifestyle. Gothabaya too realizing this, was bidding time until king falls apart with his honesty and gentleness. But to everybody’s surprise he was very successful with his rule, and Gothabaya who could not wait any longer decided to overthrow him by force.

The armed rebel group led by Gothabaya started to march in to the capital and king Sirisangabo hearing this, decided to leave the kingdom to his brother rather than seeing bloodshed in the war. So he left the kingdom unnoticed and disguised with only a piece of cloth to filter water. He ended up in the place now known as Hatthikucchi and lived a life of a hermit in meditation. Meanwhile his brother Gothabaya couldn’t believe his luck and the became the ruler of the country without any opposition. But feeling that he was never safe while the Sirisangabo was alive, offered a large reward for anyone who would bring his brother’s head. This was followed by a many killings by people who was trying to collect the reward. During this period one poor pheasant who saw Sirisangabo in this hermitage immediately recognized him as the ex king and thought about the reward money and how it would help his family. Sirisangabo immediately realized that the man was thinking about the reward and how it would make his life easier.

The Ex-king not wanting to make the poor pheasant a murderer, took out a sward and cut his own head and offered it to the pheasant. The pheasant carried the head to the king and collected the reward. Until recently the location where Sirisangabo gave his own head was thought to be Attanaglla Temple in Gampaha District but now most accept that this place is the Hatthikuchchi . This area was called the Rajangana Ruins until 1979 until the Department of Archaeology put up a board identifying this place as Hatthikuchchi. The reason for this name is supposed to be a inscription of the word “Atti-Kucch” on a rock. It is believed this area was called Attanagalla at some time in the history as some inscriptions in this area refer to a place called “Athara Galla”. Considering all the evidence and the location, now it is believed that the Attanagalla referred to in histori