Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c12.1398

v1.c12.1398

Kācaragāma, Kājaragāma, Kāṭaragāma.—A village in South Ceylon, on the Maṇigaṅgā (Mānik-gaṅga), about ten miles to the north of Tissamahārāma, on the old road from Mahāgāma to Guṭṭasāla. It was evidently an important centre even in the time of Devānampiya-Tissa, because we find that the nobles of Kājaragāma are mentioned among those taking part in the festival of the Bodhi-Tree when it was brought over by Saṅghamittā.¹ In the village was planted one of the eight saplings produced from the Bodhi-Tree.² A vihāra was erected in Kācaragāma by Aggabodhi, ruler of Rohaṇa,³ among the occupants of which is mentioned Milakkha-Tissa Thera.⁴ The place was of strategic importance, and was sometimes used as the seat of the government in Rohaṇa.⁵ The village is now chiefly famous for the celebrated shrine of Skanda.