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Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site (මුවන්ගල රජමහා විහාරය පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient aramic complex of the Digamadulla Kingdom which was colonized in the 4th century BCE. Digamadulla saw its golden era during the time of Prince Saddhatissa (brother of King Dutugemunu) during the latter part of Elara (205-161 BC), who invaded the capital, Anuradhapura and ruled this part of the country from Anuradhapura and the times of king Dutugemunu (161-131 BC) who united the country under one kingdom. Prince Saddhatissa ascended to the throne in 131 BC after the death of King Dutugemunu. Agriculture and Buddhist monasteries flourished under Prince Saddhatissa during this era and thousands of sites with scattered ruins and hundreds of irrigation reservoirs stand today as proof of its prosperity over 2000 years ago.

Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya lies on two rocky outcrops between Ampara and Hingurana. A new stupa has been built on one of the rocks. 250 steps cut into the rock during ancient times takes you to the new stupa. The ruins of an ancient stupa and a watadage (stupa house) can be seen at the top of the rock. All the ruins of this temple have been declared as a protected archaeological site by the Government with the Gazette issued on 26th December 2014, and describes the location as follows ;

“Rock with the drip ledged cave, rock inscriptions, ruins of buildings, plight of steps and other archaeological evidence at the premises of Muwangala Rajamaha Vihara situated in Grama Niladhari Division No. W/27/13, Muwangala in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Damana in Ampara District in Eastern Province. (Latitude 07º35´ 002´´ N and longitude 81º76´ 20.6´´ E).”

Direction to Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya

A drip ledge cave at the Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya

Steps towards the top of the rock Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya

Rock inscriptions at Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya

A rock pool at Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya

The view from the top of Rock at Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya

Also See

Map of Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site

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Travel Directions to Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site

Route from Ampara to Muwangala Rajamaha Viharaya

Through : Galmaduwa
Distance : 9 km
Travel time :20 min
Time to spend : 30 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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