Kalthota junction can be approached by wending 30 km from Balangoda town. Thereafter, by travelling about 45 km along Diyavinna road that traces to the southern direction Budugala Rajamaha Vihara which has a significant historical value and the archaeological main – house land can be sighted in a short distance.
This sacred land is located in Budugala archaic village alias Budugale Katuwa that lies adjacent to Mahawalathenna plateau. This ancient Buddhist sanctuary which is considered to be erected during Anuradhapura era has been under the regional governance of kalathiththa (Kalthota Kingdom) that was situated at the terminal border of Rohana domain in days of yore.
There is an archaeology complex at the right side of the sanctuary. It is mentioned in recorded history that a prince called by the name Vikum Pandi alias Vikrama Pandya arrived Sri Lanka in 1042 – 1043 A.D. and kinged kalathiththa (Kalthota) for one year.
The terrain is rich with a mass of ruins of his court. Ven. Kirielle Gnanavimala thero has explained in his book “Sabaragamu Darshana” that Budugala archaeology complex adjacent to Budugala vihara itself reflects features of remains of the mansion of prince Vikum Pandya. Thus it is obvious that the historical value of this sanctuary with ruins too inherits a long chronicle.
A bruit that says that there was an old tunnel system which proceeds from kuragala to Budugala monastery complex, which is located at the feet of kuragala rolling hills exists in folklore. Remains that are considered of this tunnel system can be confronted even today. It is suspected that instead Kuragala there is another access opening at where the present Budugala – Katharagama devale is.
The prehistoric Lanka Pabbatha Vihara replete with rock caves chronically significant is situated in about 15 km distance from Budugala monastery complex. Drip – ledges and inscriptions can also be sighted in these caverns. Though Budugala vihara and Pabbatha vihara are individually developed in present as two separate monasteries, there are evidence to prove that in days by gone these two terrains were conjugated into a single monastery complex. Formally, there had been lots of caves that have been transformed into sanctuaries by now. Budugala ancient vihara is also located in one cavern with drip – ledges and cave – abodes for arahants have been erected calling residual mounts and rocks into play. Thus it is conceivable that this place was a single monastery site.
Archaeologists who have weighed the letters and language pattern of the inscriptions in caves remaining mention that these inscriptions belong to 2nd centaury B.C. It seems that afterwards in an era of inimical calamity ( might be in the reign of King Walagamba) sacred tooth relic was hidden in Budugala and was safeguarded. Evidence that is usually visible in places where sacred tooth relic was enshrined every now and then is also reflected here.
Budugala vihara complex can be count as a part of “Maha Aranya Senasanaya” that has a direct connection with Kuragala temple. Budugala hermitage with few stone caverns spreads in a large area over 15 acres.
Main – houses, drip – ledged caves, promenades and stone urinals and toilets evidence the fact that formally meditative arahants have lived in this monastery complex. When cogitate about ruins preserved unto now in the place which is considered to be the Dharmasala, it is obvious that the technology of this is not second to Anuradhapura architecture. Six reciting rooms have been dispersed around and can easily be found among the ruins. The huge dilapidated edifice which would measure 65 ft. long and 38.8 ft. wide near the extant main route and bund of brook can be recognized as the first reciting hall.
Budugala is a main terrain which is included into nomenclature of places with prehistoric paintings in Sri Lanka.
The honor of being the first to mention about the lithographed tableaux in this cave temple have been acceded by Dr. P.E.P . Daraniyagala. Another significant factor is that Budugala has been the only place in Sri Lanka where a tableau of a lion can be found out of all the places having lithographed tableaux.
Chronicles of history show that many archaeologists have researched on this sacred terrain concluding various opinions. By the time unto now, a stupa and an Avukana Buddha image that would count 18 cubits high has been erected on top of the rock. A vihara house, dhammasala and a hermitage are constructed at the feet of the rock.