Affiliation Buddhism District Trincomalee District | Address Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Architectural type Buddhist temple | |
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Location Fort Fredrick, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Province Eastern Province, Sri Lanka Similar Fort Fredrick, Pathirakali Amman Temple, Buddhist temple, Koneswaram temple, Pigeon Island National | ||
Gokanna viharaya in trincomalee wmv
Gokanna Viharaya (Sinhalese: ගෝකන්න විහාරය) was an ancient Buddhist temple located in Trincomalee in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The temple lies in the premises of Fort Fredrick close to the fort entrance.
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History
According to the references of Sri Lanka Archaeological Department, Trincomalee had been known as Gokanna in the ancient times. Information reveals by chronicles such as Mahavamsa and Chulavamsa the Gokanna Vihara was built by the King Mahasen in the 3rd century (275-301 AD) by destroying a Jaina monastery that existed on the Swami Rock, where the Koneswaram Kovil stands today. It is said that in the reign of King Agbo V, the temple was modified by adding a preaching hall.
Destruction
The temple was destroyed in 1724 A.D by the Portuguese general Constantine De Saa to construct a fort there. According to the Portuguese historian De Queyroz, the Gokana Vihara was a Buddhist temple until it was destroyed by Portuguese in the 16th century. As his records the temple structures were demolished by general Constantine De Saa while Buddhist monks were still in residence there. As well as a Tamil rock inscription which was found near the main entrance to the fort, states that the Hindu temple that existed at this place was destroyed by the Portuguese. By proving these facts number of archaeological evidences those are related to Buddhist and Hindu traditions have been found within the fort premises.
Present
With time the old Gokanna Vihara site was gradually become a site for the Hindus to worship and the current Kovil which has been built in 1856. In correspondence from the Government Agent of Trincomalee, dated 8 October 1964, to the Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, it states that the Bodhi tree in front of the Koneswaram Kovil had been destroyed. Recently divers have discovered submerged Buddhist and Hindu sculptures in nearby sea area and brought them ashore.