Vesagiri alias Issarasamanarama is an ancient Buddhist forest which is part of the ruins of Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka. It sits between the rocky plains about half a mile south of Isurumunia. BC. Founded during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa in the middle of the 3rd century, this place was expanded to accommodate about 500 monks ofKing Kasyapa(473 – 491 AD).
Vesagiri monks lived in rocky tents. Today the viewer sees only empty rocks – not all of them, because many rocks are later taken to the cart and reused elsewhere. You can easily picture the monks meditating on their cave retreats. Above the tents are the names of the donors written in the Brahmi script.
