Did you know that 1,700 years ago, in the heart of Andhra Pradesh within the Krishna River valley, there stood a royal monastery dedicated exclusively to Sri Lankan monks? Known as the “Sihala Vihara” (Sinhalese Monastery), its ruins lie in the ancient city of Vijayapuri—now an island in the middle of the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir. This site remains a living testament to the Buddhist pride of ancient Lanka.
Vijayapuri: The Kingdom Beneath the Waters
Though it now appears as an island surrounded by a massive reservoir, in the 3rd century CE, this was Vijayapuri, the capital of the Ikshvaku dynasty. A major Buddhist hub in South India that maintained trade links as far as the Roman Empire, the valley once housed over 30 Buddhist monuments. During excavations in the 1950s—prior to the construction of the Nagarjuna Sagar dam—archaeologists discovered the “Sihala Vihara,” the most significant site for Sri Lankans.
A Mark of Lankan Identity in India
Identified as archaeological sites No. 38 and 43, this complex was built specifically for monks from Sri Lanka. It wasn’t merely a residence; it was a recreation of Sri Lankan architectural identity on Indian soil.
- The Bodhighara (Bo-tree Shrine): A defining feature of the Sihala Vihara is its Bodhighara. While not common in other Indian Buddhist sites of that era, the Bo-tree shrine was a staple of Sri Lankan tradition. Inscriptions refer to it as the “Sihala vihara bodhirukha pasado.”
- The Moonstone: The only ornate Moonstone (Sandakada Pahana) found in Nagarjunakonda was discovered at this monastery, proving that the artistic traditions of the Anuradhapura era were carried across the seas to India.
“International” Monks of the Sihala Vihara
The monks residing here were not ordinary practitioners. Inscriptions describe them as great masters who spread the Dhamma and inspired faith (Pasadaka) among the peoples of:
- Kashmir and Gandhara
- China
- Yavana (Greece/Hellenistic kingdoms)
- The Tamil kingdoms and Tamrapanni (Sri Lanka)
An inscription on a Buddha footprint (Buddhapada) at Site 38 confirms these monks were of the Mahaviharavasin (Mahavihara) tradition, identifying as Theriya (Theravada) and Vibhajjavada. They were revered for their mastery of the nine-fold teachings of the Buddha.
The Patronage of Upasika Bodhisiri
The construction of this monastery was driven largely by the women of the Ikshvaku royal family and wealthy merchant daughters. Bodhisiri, a lay devotee, played a central role. Deeply impressed by the missionary work and discipline of the Sri Lankan monks, she is recorded in inscriptions as having donated the Chaitya-grihas (shrine houses) and Bodhigharas at both the Chula-Dhammagiri Vihara and the Sihala Vihara.
Architectural Distinctions
The Sihala Vihara differs from other monasteries in Nagarjunakonda in several ways:
- Lack of Ayaka Platforms: Most Andhra stupas feature Ayaka platforms (protruding platforms at the four cardinal points). The Sihala Vihara stupas lack these, reflecting the simple, disciplined aesthetic of the Sri Lankan Mahavihara tradition.
- Statues: A massive standing Buddha statue found here (now in the museum) follows the Amaravati style, yet its grandeur and the meticulous carving of the robe folds strongly resemble the great masterpieces of Anuradhapura, such as the Avukana Buddha.
Nagarjunakonda Today
Today, Nagarjunakonda is accessible only by boat. The ancient glory is preserved in an island museum. To prevent these monuments from being submerged by the dam, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook a massive effort to dismantle and reconstruct them on higher ground and in the nearby Anupu area.
For any Sri Lankan visiting the museum, seeing the reconstructed ruins of the Sihala Vihara is a moment of immense pride. It stands as the strongest evidence of an Indo-Lanka friendship built on the foundation of the Dhamma—long before modern borders existed.
Summary
The Sihala Vihara at Nagarjunakonda is more than just bricks and stone; it is a monument to the scholarship, missionary zeal, and international recognition of ancient Sri Lankan monks. If you ever travel to India, do not miss the chance to walk where our ancestors once walked.
(Sources: Archaeological Survey of India publications, Epigraphia Indica, and scholarly research papers on Nagarjunakonda)