The Kudumbigala Monastery, established in the third century BCE during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, is a magnificent archaeological and spiritual site in the jungles near Panama in the Ampara District. It served as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks seeking solitude away from the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Getabaru Rajamaha Viharaya is a historic hilltop shrine in Deniyaya, famous for its cave temple and the powerful deity Getabaru Rajjuruwo. Built during the King Walagamba era, it offers panoramic views and a spiritual atmosphere. Visitors often climb the steep path to seek blessings and witness its vibrant annual esala perahera.
This pillar in memory of the freedom fighters led by Gongalegoda Banda and the Veera Puran Appu had been erected in the heart of the Matale town adjacent Alick Aluvihare Indoor Stadium of Matale.
Kawatayamuna Rajamaha Vihara is a temple visited by buddhists and other faiths alike due its uniqueness. The temple has no historic value, but popular for the galley of various sculptures of hell and of other.
The Baghawa Lena cave lies hidden in the jungles about 100 meters (some say 30 meters) below the summit of Sri Pada mountain is not a place that pilgrims visit. The main reason for this to be a contender for Diva Guhawa is the ancient inscription found placed by king Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa kingdom (1187-1196) along with the line sketch of the king and a small arabic inscription.
During his lifetime, Buddha visited the island of Sri Lanka three times. These visits are described in detail in the Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of Sri Lanka and in ancient writings such as Pujavaliya, Samantapasadika and Buthsarana also mention these visits .
Maha Loku Meni Devalaya is a small rural shrine dedicated to the benevolent goddess Maha Loku Meni, revered as the elder sister of Saman of Sri Pada. Surrounded by forest, the site features an ancient Bo tree and stone pillars, reflecting its long-standing spiritual and cultural significance.
Nugapitya Ambalama lies next to a picturesque paddy field in the village of Nugapitiya lying between Kandy and Matale. It is a square brick and mortar building with its roof resting on four pillars. A short wall travels around the Ambalama.
Teldeniya Ambalama had been built on stone pillars with handsomely carved timber beams in a picturesque location in Teldeniya. Since 1985 this area has been submerged under Victoria Reservoir
Haloluwa Katarangala Rajamaha Viharaya has been used by meditating monks from the Anuradhapura era but the temple has been built by king Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747 – 1781)
Thalawa Rajamaha Viharaya is a small but picturesque ancient temple hidden on a walled plateau above a stream in the Patha Hewaheta in Kandy District.
The history of Diyakelinawala Kithsiri Mewan Rajamaha Viharaya is believed to go as far back to the king Kithsiri Mevan (303-311 CE) of Anuradhapura kingdom. The temple is built underneath a natural cave shelter extended by a verandah with a wooden roof which rests on the rock.
Sellawali Rajamaha Viharaya also known as Wela Meda Pansala is considered a well preserved gallery of Kandyan Era art. The temple lies in the village of Haloluwa in Kulugammanasiya pattu.
The history of Malagammana Rajamaha Viharaya speaks that it was built by King Buwanekabahu V (1372-1408 CE) of Gampola kingdom. Initially this temple has been built as a Tampita Viharaya as seen by the stone pillar stumps in the temple. This Tampita Viharaya has been burnt by the British in 1818. The current viharaya has been built by Nugawela Disawe in 1872.
Accroding to H.C.P. Bell in Kegalle Report, this Pattini Devalaya is one of the oldest in the Kegalle district. The devalaya has Sannasa which carries this devalaya to the time of King Gajabahu I (112-134 CE)
The village adjoining Embekka Devalaya is known as Rangama. There is a cave at a higher elevation with a drip-ledge. This locality is called Gallenwatta. The spout flowing through the cave is named Ran Pihilla. This name was given to the spout as it had been used by Queen Henakanda Biso Bandara.
The ancient Piligalla Ambalama bordering the village of Yalegoda and Angunawela had been completely destroyed. Some of the symbols in the premises are still noticeable.
Just 120 meters south of the Salapathala Maluwa of Jethawnaramaya, lies a structure known as Buddhist Railing which has been discussed and analysed by great many travellers and authors since the British discovered it in the 1800’s. This is a site enclosed by a large railing made completely of stone slabs and pillars.
Singakkuliya Aiyyanayaka Tampita Devalaya lies in the village of Singakkuliya in Dankotuwa Divisional Secretariat in Puttalam District. According to folklore this devalaya is about 400 to 500 years old. The Tampita Devalya is built on 9 stone pillars slightly over 1 foot high.
Naththandiya Paluwelgala Sri Pushparamaya was built in 1735 during the reign of king Weeraparakrama Narendrasinha (1707 – 1739) of the Kandyan kingdom. He was also the last Sinhalese king of the Kandyan kingdom which lasted till 1815.
