Ancient Ariyakara Viharaya in the Rajagala Archaeological Reserve is situated in the Ampara district of Eastern Sri Lanka. It is located in a mountain identified as Rajagala which could be approached through Ampara Mahaoya highway near the Rajagala Tenna village. The first identified name of Rajagala is the “Girikumhiilla” depicting the name of Crocodile Mountain as the mountain looks like a lying crocodile to the distance. The monastery was named later as “Grikumhiila Tissa Pabbatha Viharaya” using part of the name of the King Lajjatissa. According to the ancient sources this monastic complex has been build and donated to the monks in between the year 116 – 109 BC. Thereafter it has been identified as Ariyakara Viharaya. Several ancient books have identified this monastery as Ayiyakooti Vihara, Kumbalthispav Ariyakara Vihara, Ghirithimbilathispav Viharayas such or Ariyakara Viharaya.
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