Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya

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King Sri Sangabo (251–253 CE) is remembered in the chronicles and ancient literature of Sri Lanka as one of the most pious Buddhist rulers in the island’s history. Closely associated with his memory is Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya, one of the most renowned ancient royal temples of the country. The temple is located in the Western Province, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Colombo.

Following the death of King Sri Sangabo (251-253 CE), his brother King Gothabhaya (253–266 CE) ascended the throne and built a stupa at the place where the king had made his final sacrifice. According to the Attanagalla Vihara Vamsa, during the reign of King Upatissa I (368–410 CE), a monk residing at the temple attained arahantship through meditation. Pleased by this event, the king constructed a five-story monastery and offered it to the Maha Sangha.

The Story of Sirisangabo

The Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of Sri Lanka, describes the life of King Sirisangabo. According to the chronicle, three friends—Sangabodhi, Gotabhaya, and Sangathissa—arrived in Anuradhapura to serve the ruling monarch. While passing near Tissa Wewa, a blind ascetic who lived nearby heard their footsteps and exclaimed that the earth was carrying three future kings. When Gotabhaya asked whose reign would last longest, the ascetic replied that it would be the last of the three.

The three men entered the city and served King Vijaya Kumara (246–247 CE). Later, Sangathissa conspired against the king, killed him, and seized the throne, ruling Anuradhapura for four years.

According to tradition, Sangathissa was fond of eating jambu fruit and frequently traveled with his retinue through the eastern regions of the island. These journeys imposed a heavy burden on the local inhabitants who were required to provide food and provisions for the royal entourage. Unable to bear the hardship, the villagers eventually poisoned the jambu fruit, which caused the king’s death.

After his death, Prince Sangabo was crowned king. He became known for his compassion and righteousness. Rather than executing criminals, he exiled them to remote areas. To maintain the appearance of punishment, bodies taken secretly from cemeteries were cremated in their place. The chronicles also recount that he subdued a demon named Rakthakshi (“red-eyed one”) not through violence but through virtue, persuading the spirit to accept offerings from the people instead of harming them.

The King’s Great Sacrifice

Eventually Prince Gotabhaya, once the king’s close companion, marched toward the capital with an army to seize power. King Sirisangabo, unwilling to cause bloodshed between two groups of soldiers, renounced the throne and left the city carrying only a cloth used for filtering water.

He lived thereafter as an ascetic in the forests around Attanagalla, spending most of his time in meditation. Meanwhile, Gotabhaya searched for the former king, and many innocent people were killed on suspicion that they might be him.

One day a farmer who unknowingly offered food to the hermit learned that he was the former king and told him of the suffering caused by the reward offered for his capture. Deeply distressed by this news, Sirisangabo decided to end the injustice. Revealing his identity, he asked the peasant to cut off his head and claim the reward. When the man refused, the king himself severed his own head and offered it to the peasant so that he might receive the bounty (Mahavamsa, verses 58–97).

Historical Location of the Event

Traditionally, Attanagalla is believed to be the place where King Sirisangabo lived in seclusion after relinquishing the throne to Gotabhaya. Local tradition identifies a pond near the temple as the place where he obtained water during his hermit life, and the area later developed into a Buddhist shrine visited by pilgrims.

However, modern archaeological research suggests that the historical location of the king’s hermitage may instead be the Hatthikucchi Vihara complex—also known as the Rajangana ruins—located about 40 kilometres (approximately 25 miles) from Anuradhapura.

Architectural Features

One of the most notable archaeological features at Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya is its vatadage (circular relic house). Although it has undergone several modifications over time, it is regarded as the only vatadage in Sri Lanka that remains substantially intact. Because of the temple’s association with King Sirisangabo, the construction of this structure is often attributed to the reign of King Gothabhaya (253–266 CE).

The temple thus stands as both a place of religious devotion and a monument commemorating one of the most celebrated acts of self-sacrifice recorded in Sri Lankan history.

Sirisangabo donating his own head to the traveller at Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya

The vatadage of the Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya

New Japanese style statues at the Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya

An ancient pan kalaya made of stone at Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya

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Driving Directions to Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya

Route from Colombo to Attanagalla Temple	Route from Mount Lavinia to Attanagalla Temple
Though : Kelaniya Distance : 48 km Travel time : 1.15 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Malabe – Biyagama Distance : 62 km Travel time : 1.15 minutes Driving directions : see on google map