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Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage
Awariyapathaha Rajamaha Viharaya looks like another typical temple on the Galewela – Dambulla road with nothing unique to be seen. A Buddhist temple is generally called a Rajamaha Viharaya if it has been patronized by ancient kings but today, most Rajamaha Viharayas have gone through many cycles renovations losing any sign of thousands years of their rich history.
Awariyapathaha Rajamaha Viharaya which had been called Shaila Bimbaramaya in the past, too have gone through this cycle but luckily beyond the new temple, remains of its ancient history is still preserved in 3 cave shrines and on the ruins on the rock behind the temple. There are a number of now unused drip ledge caves and a large natural rock pool at the top of the rock is said the have been used by the Arhaths in the ancient past.
According to popular legend, this temple was first built by King Vattagamini Abaya better known as King Walagamba (89-77 BC). There have been 2 dilapidated stupas on the rock till the recent past, one has been totally destroyed by treasure hunters along with many other ancient artefacts. A new stupa has been built enshrining the remains of the other ancient stupa.
The cave shrines of this temple show that this was again revived during the Kandyan era. One of the cave shrines has been restored by the Cultural Triangle Fund recently.
The old image house seems to belong to the Kandyan era. The murals and other paintings depicting several Jathaka stories are discolored while some are peeling due to neglect. Although the Department of Archaeology has declared this shrine along with the Discourse Hall, flight of steps hewn on the natural rock, pillar foundation and the entrance to the drip-ledged rock cave as a protected monument, no attention has given to these murals so far.
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Map of Awariyapathaha Rajamaha Viharaya
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Travel Directions to Awariyapathaha Rajamaha Viharaya
| Route from Galewela to Awariyapathaha Rajamaha Viharaya |
| Through : Damunumulla Time to Spend : 1 hour Distance :2.5 km Travel time : 10 min. Driving directions : see on google map |
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