Mahaweli Maha Seya : Kotmale Seya (කොත්මලේ මහවැලි සෑය)

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– Biggest Stupa To Be Constructed in Sri Lanka in 2350 Years –

The work of recommencement of the Kotmale Seya (Mahaweli Maha Seya) took place on May 8. Nestling in the picturesque Kotmale valley, the majestic, gigantic 100-foot dome structure adds considerable color to this scenic atmosphere. Tourists, as well as pilgrims, flock to Kotmale Maha Seya premises, where a sapling of Sri Maha Bodhi was ceremonially planted recently.

Some of the most picturesque, breath-taking, and soothing sights I have seen are Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, Sun City, and Pilensurburg Park all in South Africa. The sight I got of the Kotmale Maha Seya from the distant point of Gamini Dissanayake Reservoir, is fantastic and out of this world to say the least. It is etched indelibly in my mind. What a panoramic sight it will be when the bubble-shaped dagoba. (bubbulakaru stupa) rises to another 174 feet to caress the heavenly sky.

The Mahaweli Maha Seya is a landmark structure of epic scale sited on an escarpment overlooking the Kotmale Reservoir, now known as Gamini Dissanayake Reservoir. This will be the biggest and the Largest Stupa to be constructed after 2350 years in Sri Lanka.

Construction of Mahaweli Maha Seya (Kotmale Seya)

The work of Mahaweli Maha Seya commenced on March 20, 1983, with the participation of the late President J. R. Jayewardene and Gamini Dissanayake. The construction work of the stupa came to a standstill in 1991. The recommencement of the structure began on May 8, 2003. The colorful ceremony of the reconstruction work commenced and more than 200 Buddhist monks and about 1500 devotees were present to mark this occasion.

According to ancient geographical and historical data, Sri Lanka was divided into three domains Ruhunu, Maya, and Pihiti. Kotmale ranked number one out of 42 administrative areas or shires.

Folklore has it that Prince Gamini was hiding at Kanda Uda Kotte, Urupelesse Village Headman’s residence, disguised. This village is now named Kotagepitiya and the Mahaweli Maha Seya is located within a short distance of one kilometre. He had a love affair with a village damsel named Ranmenika, the daughter of the Village Headman. After the death of King Kavantissa, it is said that the royal elephant Kadol Etha came to Prince Gamini and knelt before him.

Prince Gamini hid his sword at Dehedukadulla, which is the main entrance to Kotmale. History says in his effort to unify Sri Lanka, he used Kotmale Pass, which is in close proximity to Mahaweli Maha Seya, as a link-Ruhuna, with Pihiti Rata.

Around the Kotmale valley is woven the epic story of Dutugamunu – the hero king of Sri Lanka. During the reign of Kalinga Magha (1214-1235) and Vijayabahu III (1235-26), the name of Kotmale is mentioned. According to Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya, The Buddha’s Sacred Tooth Relic was kept in custody at Kotmale at Pussalpitiya Temple. With the commencement of Kotmale Reservoir, under the accelerated Mahaweli Project,

16 Grama – Sevaka Divisions, 66 Villages, four tea estates 18 temples, and two devalayes went under the water of Kotmale Reservoir. Kadadora Shri Priyabimbaramaya, Morape Bodhi Malakaramaya, Morape Subadrarama Viharaya. (These three temples on Right Bank and of Mahaweli and Kadadora).

Hedunuwewa Medagoda Gangaramaya, Otalawe Bodhirukkarama Viharaya, Nawangama Abinawaramaya, and Tispane Shri Subhadraramaya (These four temples are situated on the left Bank of Tispane Hills.) The two devalayes are Morape Devalaya and Hendunuwewa Medagoda Pattini Devalaya which were among the main seven temples and the two devalayas, that went under Kotmale reservoir.

The late Gamini Dissanayake to compensate for the loss of these religious shrines, decided to construct a stupa as a symbol in memory of the affected shrines and devalayes, which went under the Kotmale Reservoir. Further, his mission and vision was to set up an International Buddhist Cultural Centre at the Mahaweli Maha Seya premises.

Structure of Mahaweli Maha Seya (Kotmale Seya)

The design of the stupa structure formulated by the former Chairman of Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) Vidya Jothi Dr. A. N. S. Kulasinghe, an eminent Engineer of International repute is now complete. What remains to be done is a terraced turret and finial to carry a Crystal Crest Gem.

At a time when the world is seeking new centers of tourism, Mahaweli Maha Seya at Kadadora, Kotmale, will prove a compelling attraction to tourists of the world as it is an entirely new center of attraction.

by Premasara Epasinghe
Sunday Observer

Update  06/04/14:

The stupa has been finally completed in 2014.

Also See

Map of  Mahaweli Maha Seya (Kotmale Seya)

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)
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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Travel Directions to Mahaweli Maha Seya (Kotmale Seya)

Route from Colombo to Mahaweli Maha Seya (Kotmale Seya) Route from Gampola to Mahaweli Maha Seya  (Kotmale Seya)
Through : Awissawella – Karawanella – Ginigathena – Nawalapitiya – Ulapane
Distance : 135 km
Travel time : 3.5 hours
Driving directions : see on google map
Through : Ulapane
Distance : 20 km
Travel time : 40 minutes
Driving directions : see on google

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