Heritage

Nikasala Nuwara Medagamakanda Rajamaha Viharaya – නිකසළා නුවර මැදගමකන්ද රජමහා විහාරය

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Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya
Photo by Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Medagama Kanda hill lies about 6 km south-east from Panduwasnuwara ancient Kingdom. At the top of this hill lies ruins of an ancient dagoba conserved by the department of Archeology in 1986. There is a strong belief that this stupa contains the remains of the King Vijaya (543-505 BC), the first in line of a royal dynasty which lasted over 2300 years.

Nikasala Nuwara Medagamakanda Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple with history going back to the reign of king Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC) who has built the stupa at this temple according to a rock inscription. Ruin of this ancient temple is spread over 20 acres with broken granite pillars, foundations of ancient buildings and parts of statues. The excavation of the ruins of this temple has also exposed remains of 2 stupas which has been built by king Mihindu IV (956-972).

Just above the Raja Maha Viharaya you can also find another cave temple built by king Wimaladarmasuriya (1592 – 1604) of Kandyan Kingdom. Few other caves with drip ledges around this main cave temple can be seen. According to head priest, a inscription at the temple talks about the arthath priests dwelling in the caves of the temple. Therefore it could be that the name Niasala Nuwara originated from Ni-keles ( නි+කෙලෙස්) since this was the dwelling of those who achieved purified mind.

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Map of the Medagamakanda Rajamaha Viharaya

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Driving Directions to Medagamakanda Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Panduwasnuwara to Medagamakanda Rajamaha Viharaya

Though :
distance : 5.5 km
Travel time :15 mins
Time to spend : 20-30 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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