Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c23.9

v1.c23.9

Dakkhiṇadesa.—A province of Ceylon, the territory west of the mountains and reaching up to the sea. It was so called from the relation of its position to that of Anurādhapura. At one time it was united with the Malayaraṭṭha and formed part of the territory governed by the king’s second son.¹ Later,² it seems to have become the special province of the heir-apparent. It is also referred to as Dakkhiṇapassa³ and Dakkhiṇabhāga.⁴ Among the strongholds of Dakkhiṇadesa are mentioned Muhunnaru, Badalatthala, Vāpiṇagara, Buddhagāma, Tilagulla, Mahāgalla and Maṇḍagalla,⁵ and among its villages, Puṅkhagāma⁶ and Bodhisenapabbata.⁷