The Pāli name for the modern town of Kurunegala in Ceylon. It is so called because near by is a mountain shaped like a reclining elephant. It is first mentioned in the time of Parakkamabāhu II., who made his yuvarāja, Bhuvanekabāhu, build a vihāra there (Cv.lxxxv.62).
The king was cremated close to the vihāra, and his son, Vijayabāhu, made a pilgrimage to the vihāra, and to the place of cremation (Cv.lxxxviii.53f). Bhuvanekabāhu removed the capital from Subhagiri to Hatthigiripura, where it remained till the death of Parakkamabāhu IV. Cv.xc.59,106.