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Uggal Aluthnuwara Kataragama Devalaya is one of the most popular devalayas dedicated to the deity Kataragama Deviyo.
The history of this Devalaya goes back to the time of “Beminitiya Seya”, also known as the Great Famine during 103-89 BC, during the reign of King Vattagamini Abhaya, known as Valagamba. It is said that human settlements were established in this area after the devastating “Beminitiya Seya” famine. However, proof of any civilization of this era is yet to be discovered. The written history of the Uggal Aluthnuwara starts in 1382 when king Suriya built the Medagama Devalaya in these jungles and dedicated it to the Kataragama Deviyo. It is believed that King Suriya refers to Buvanekabahu V (1371-1408) of the Gampola Kingdom who belonged to the the Suriya Clan.
In 1582, a king called Yapa Maharaja made a vow at the Jack tree of the Medagma Devalaya to donate 1000 gold coins and to build a new devala building and a town at the site if he won a war. After his win, he developed a new town around the devalaya and built a brand new Devalaya adjoining the old Medagama Devalaya in addition to a temple and a stupa. What you see today is this devalaya built by Yapa Maharaja. Who this king really is, is debated since the use of Maharaja in the ancient documents belonging to the devalaya, historians believe he was not a regional king but one of the kings who ruled the country. But history does not mention any a king by this name.
It is said that this new town was called Aluth Nuwara ( new town) and since the temple was built by flattening a rock into a flat surface it was Uggal ( Us-Gal) Aluthnuwara.
The Uggal Aluthnuwara Devalaya saw a revival in the 1970s when gems started appearing in the area and Gem Merchants with newly acquired wealth started visiting the devalaya. A high ground area, about 75 meters south to the devalaya which was called Godella was blocking the view of the devalaya possession from the Basnayake Nilame’s house. Therefore in 1978, it was decided to clear the Godella and flatten the land.
When the bulldozers started removing earth it was discovered this was not a earthen mound but a foundation of a building. Although the work has been immediately stopped considerable damage had already been done by the bulldozers. It has been now realized this foundation belonged to the older Medagama Devalaya.
Today you can see the Jack tree at which the Yapa Maharaja made his wow in 1582 and the ancient Bodhi tree near the ruins of Medagama devalaya in addition to the main devala premises.
Also See
Map of Uggal Aluthnuwara Kataragama Devalaya
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Travel Directions to Uggal Aluthnuwara Kataragama Devalaya
| Route from Ratnapura to Uggal Aluthnuwara Kataragama Devalaya |
| Distance : 53 km Travel time : 1.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map |
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