 However, since most ancient monasteries were built around a hillock, or "giri" in Sinhala, (for example the Vessagiri, Meghagiri or Chetiyagiri monasteries) it is possible that the name Abhayagiri symbolizes the monastery created by Vattagamani Abhaya after his recapture of the kingdom surrounding the hillock known as Digapasana, now inside the Abhayagiri complex.Under Gajabahu I, Abhayagiri grew in prestige and importance.The accession of King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD saw the suppression of the Mahavihara monks.