Because Kinihiri mountain is in the vicinity of Anuradhapura, and is close to the Ritigala Mountain Range, some archeologists believe that it's generally regarded as having been built during the reign of King Dhevanampiyatissa in the Anuradhapura era. During this era the king was engaged in building a viharaya for every youganaˇ±Yougana Yougana thane- aramo thena karittoˇ± (Deepavansa Chapter 17 stanza, gata, 95).
Dambulla is a town built around a vast isolated rock mass 500 ft and it was here that King Valagambahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C. The Kinihiri mountain was also believed to belong to the same decade as the Cave Temples of Dambulla in 1st century BC. Kinihiri
mountain standing 550 feet tall has a series of 24 caves called the ˇ°second Dambullaˇ± by the people. Evidence indicates that there are 24 other mountain caves that had been walled in and set a part for mediation purposes of Bhikkus, aspiring to a higher form of Bhikkus (ˇ°yogavachariˇ±). The carving of the water tanks (Katarama) indicates a close affinity to those at Aluvihare in Matale and also to Dambulla a series of five caves, which indicates that these water tanks had been carved in the reign of king Walagambahu in 88 B.C. and were later renovated.
The top of Kinihiri mountain has a rounded-shape. Inside the largest cave, below the carving of a mountain, lies a 26-foot long Buddha, which was later turned into a magnificent Kinihiri mountain temple (above noted modern name is ˇ°Kinihirikanda Rajamaha Viharayaˇ±) by King Valagambahu. The frescoes on the walls and ceiling could be dated back to the 15th - 18th centuries.
The ceiling is also covered with frescoes that depict great events in the life of the Buddha.
the people. Evidence indicates that there are 24 other mountain caves that had been walled in and set a part for mediation purposes of Bhikkus, aspiring to a higher form of Bhikkus (ˇ°yogavachariˇ±). The carving of the water tanks (Katarama) indicates a close affinity to those at Aluvihare in Matale and also to Dambulla a series of five caves, which indicates that these water tanks had been carved in the reign of king Walagambahu in 88 B.C. and were later renovated.
