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It was raining. But fortunately, our destination the Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya was easily accessible.
The Temple buildings were beautifully placed at different levels on a rock cliff. We walked up the slight incline to reach the old shrine room. We passed an ancient rock inscription and the Bo tree.
The paintings on its outside walls and the makara thorana in this little building are notable. Inside was a huge seated Buddha statue possibly of later origin. The origin of this Viharaya is believed to date back to the Polonnaruwa period. The Viharaya is said to have gained prominence during the days of Raigam Bandara.
Another impressive shrine room is situated on the side of the rock cliff at a slightly lower elevation. As we descended towards it a natural pool rock almost spilled over with the rain water.
The rock sculpture here is beautiful and believed to be similar to the Gal Viharaya statues at Polonnaruwa. According to the local belief this sculpture was done by the same artists that executed the celebrated Polonnaruwa statues. An unusually long and highly ornate carved wooden structure served as the table for offerings in front of the main Buddha image.
It was raining harder and we sat on the steps of the shrine room looking down into the entrance yard of the temple. At the bottom of the hill was the Darmasalawa with its elegant granite pillars amongst other buildings.
Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya can be reached by traveling on the Welikala road branching at the Pokunuwita junction along the Colombo- Horana Highway.
Daily Mirror
The ancient shrine room built of kabook and mud is the main attraction to lovers of old temple buildings. This has to be reached by climbing up a slight incline, passing an ancient rock inscription and a huge Bo tree.
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Inside the shrine room is a huge seated Buddha statue, possibly of a later origin. The paintings on its outside walls and the Makara Thorana in this little building are attributed to the Kandyan Period.
A newer shrine room is situated on the side of the rock cliff at a slightly lower elevation. As we descended, we passed a natural pool rock, almost spilling over with the night’s rainwater. An unusually long, highly ornate wooden table serves as the table for the flower offerings in front of the main Buddha image. At the bottom of the hill was the dharmasalawa, amongst other buildings.
The origin of this vihara is believed to date back to the Fourth Century AD period of King Kithsiri Mevan (301-328). The vihara is said to have gained prominence during the days of Raigam Bandara. The Brahmi inscription found here records a donation made during the time of King Sithsiri Mevan to the clergy.
Also See
Map of Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya
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Travel Directions to Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya
| Route from Colombo to Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya | Route from Panadura to Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya |
| Through : Kesbewa – Horana – Ratnapura – Pelmadulla Distance : 36 km Travel time : 1.5 hours. Driving directions : see on google map | Through : Kaduwela – Avissawella – Ratnapura – Pelmadulla Distance : 16 km Travel time : 30 minutes. Driving directions : see on google map |
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