Traveling 1.4 kilometres (0.9 miles)
passing the small town of Medawachchiya
on the A9 (Kandy-Jaffna) highway, u will come across this beautiful stupa situated
on top of a large rock and a name board claiming the name of "Isinbessagala".
The name loosely translate to "the rock that the sage came from".
This temple complex was built by the King Devanampiyathissa (250-210
BC) right after the
introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Today what you see at the top
of this rock is recent constructions done in the 1st half of the 20th
centaury. This new stupa has been built on the same location where the
original stupa has been. Excavations on this stupa area has recovered
an ancient Naga Gala (Snake Stone) and some Sri Pathul Gala (Foot Print
of Buddha).
According the chief monk residing on the temple, this represents
a two generations of worship culture. According to him the Snake Stone
is a object of worship of the Naga (Snake) tribes which was used before
the arrival of Buddhism in the country. Later the temple has been built
on the same grounds. The Sri Pathul Gala shows this era as this was
the first representation of Buddha before the Buddha statues
were built. The Snake Stone is now located in the "Bo Maluwa" or the
area where the Bodhi tree lies and the Sri Pathul Gala is hidden away
cleverly under a Buddha Statue for protection from treasure hunters.
At the bottom of the rock is a dragon entrance made of concrete. From here
itself is a gentle upward slope on the rock to the main stupa and the
young bo tree. Halfway up the climb is a serene buddha statue and a statue
of King Devanampiyathissa (250-210 BC). On one side is a bust of a man
who revived the temple and constructed what you see at the top of the
rock in the 1900's. According the chief priest of the temple, this person
was a devoted Catholic who found peace at the top of this rock. A rock
inscription below this bust describes the names and the dates of the
building but is now faded away.
In addition to the temple, the view from this rock is breathtaking. You
can get a 360 degree view of the whole area from this point.
From the rear of this stupa, you can climb down to the main temple
premises on the other side of the rock. Alternatively you can take the
gravel road just before the rock and drive straight to the main temple
and climb up from that side.
On this side of the rock is a ancient cave room with ancient statue called
Arhath Guhawa. According the chief priest, this cave room has been abandoned
until recently. An retired eye surgeon who is living a life of meditation
has taken up this cave now as his adobe. Passing this rock cave is a
massive Na tree with creepers covering over an area of about 1000 sq
meters. The tree is so ancient, the original trunk is long lost.
From Anuradhapura Take the A9 ( Kandy - Jaffna Road). Medawachchiya lies
27 km from the Anuradhapura. Madawachchiya is also the main turn off
point to vehicles going to Mannar . Travel along the a9 route further
1.4 km to reach the temple. The stupa on the rock is visible from far
way, but the temple is completely hidden from the main road.
Driving Directions to Isinbassagala Rajamaha Viharaya
