Arama Arahantha Rajamaha Viharaya

Travelling from Mawanella to Aranayake, and then 2½ kilometres from the Aranayake junction via Horewala to Salawa by road, you will find the Arama Rajamaha Viharaya on slightly elevated ground next to the Maha Oya (Ma Oya). Between the mountains on the right, you can see the Asupini Ella Falls. The village got its name, Arama, from the Aranya Senasana, where forest dwelling monks maintained their discipline in the ancient past.

Nathete Mountain and Ambalam Mountain surround the Rahala mountain range to the south and west and border the Aranayaka Valley area. The stream of water that falls in the form of a snake from Asupini Falls flows down the stream from the west side of the land block where the Arama Viharaya is located.

According to accounts, the ancient parts of the Arama Vihara, nourished by the Ma Oya River, were originally constructed on the elevated western bank of the river, which has now become a paddy field. Over time, these structures fell into ruin due to the ravages of time. The stone pillars, stairways, inscriptions, korawak stone, and other remnants were then moved and placed at the Arama Vihara by elephants. Some of the ruins, carved from a single block of stone, can still be seen today. After a heavy rain, an old stairway from the river bank, buried under the roots of a massive Kumbuk Tree that had been dislodged from the riverbank, was discovered. Dr. Paranavitana examined the site and revealed that the inscription was made during the reign of King Aggabodhi VI (Aggabodhi Salamevan). The Mahavamsa mentions that King Mihindu (Mahinda Aepa) of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom appointed his brother Aggabodhi as sub-king and sent him to Malaya. Thus, it can be inferred that the vihara in the Malaya region was Arama, though its historical name remains unknown.

King Agrabodhi Silamegha renovated several religious sites, including the Abhayuttara Viharaya, the Chatudesa Bhoga Aramaya, the Athkusu Poonapiti Maha Viharaya, Vahadiwa (Vahakotte) Viharaya, and the doorway of Thuparama. The date on the Thudapatha of Arama Vihara appears to be 1707.

According to the details provided in the Thudapatha, King Valagamba constructed a two-story pavilion, planted a Sri Maha Bodhi sapling, and enshrined Buddha relics at multiple locations, establishing a seven Riyan high Stupa. The lower section of the two-story pavilion included a relic stupa, a Bodhi stupa, Pushparama, Palaarama, and Sangharama. Land donations were made to create what was called Arahantha Land (Arhat’s Land), a highly revered and pure area where monks could practice meditation.

According to the ancient Nam Potha, the old Tampita Vihara (from the Kandy period) at this location was removed in 1930 and replaced with a new image house. Two statues from the Kandyan era from the old Tampita Viiharaya were relocated, one placed near the stupa and the other in the new Image House. During the site’s renovation in 1950, relics were discovered in a stone box under the Bodhi tree. These relics were subsequently enshrined in the stupa during its restoration.

භවයෙන් මිදුණු පෙර රහතන් විසූ පෙරම
අලුලෙන කරඬුලෙන වට්ටාරාම අරම
අතරින් මේ හැම වට්ටාරාම වේ පරම
ගණනින් එක් සැටක් රහතන් විය එහිම

The Satara Korale Viththi chronicle describes Arama with the above four lines.

Also See

• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of Arama Arahantha Rajamaha Viharaya

Travelling Directions to Arama Arahantha Rajamaha Viharaya