Udayagiri Raja Maha Viharaya Archaeological Ruins at Ampara (අම්පාර උදයගිරි රජමහා විහාරය පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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Passing Uhana on the Ampara – Mahaoya Road you come across Udayagiri Raja Maha Viharaya with a history of over 1000 years. At the entrance of the temple is a stone pillar with an inscription stating that the Udayagiri temple has been exempted from taxes by two generals of King Udaya I of the 8th century. However, archaeologists believe that this temple may have been established during the pre-Christian times from the archaeological remains on the temple premises. This temple premises is also believed to be the battleground between Parakramabahu I and Queen Sugaladevi who ruled this area.

Among the ruins of Udayagiri Raja Maha Viharaya are two asanaghara, large slabs of stone which is now used as flower pedestals at the ancient Bo tree.

Before the construction of Buddha statues, various objects were used to represent Buddha. Asanaghara and Sri Pathul Gal were some of the items which were used to symbolize Buddha.

According to Dr. Paranavitana, the Asanaghara is an edifice built around a large finely chiselled stone slab, which symbolises the Vajrayana under the bodhi tree at Gaya where the Buddha attained Nibbana.

Sri Pathul Gal (Footprint of Buddha) chiselled on square or rectangular stone slabs was another symbol of Buddha which was popular during this era.

The presence of these Asanaghara and Sri Pathul Gal indicates the existence of this temple before the Buddha statues were built.

The monoliths found at the temple are too simple without much adornments which indicates that they belong to the 3rd – 1st century BC.

This temple premises were declared as protected archaeological sites by the Government with the Gazette issued on 26th December 2014, and describes the locations as follows ;

“Site with the evidence of buildings with stone pillars, all archaeological relics such as stupa chatra “Balustardes” Moonstone and flower altar at the premises of Udayagiri Rajamaha Vihara belonging to Udagirigama village situated in Grama Niladhari Division No. W/88B, Udagirigama East in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Uhana in Ampara District in Eastern Province.”

Photos courtesy of : Dr Ashan Geeganage

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Map of Udayagiri Raja Maha Viharaya at Ampara

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 Udayagiri Raja Maha Viharaya at Ampara

Route from Ampara to Samanbedda Ancient Cave Temple at Ampara
Though : Mahaoya Road
Distance : 13  km
Travel time : 20 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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