A Damila stronghold, subdued by Dutthagámani after a four months' siege.
Its commander was called Mahela (Mhv.xxv.48f).
The Mahávamsa Tíká (479f.) explains that the city lay off the road leading from Vijitapura to Anurádhapura. It was the king's elephant, Kandula, who led the way thither. The city erected on the spot where the elephant turned off the main road was called Nivattagirinagara.