Beligala Rajamaha Viharaya at Balangoda – බලංගොඩ බෙලිගල රජමහා විහාරය

The Beligala Rajamaha Viharaya at Balangoda is believed to be another achievement of King Vatta Gamini Abaya (aka King Walagamba) during the period of 103 BC to 89 BC. It is said that the king lived in this cave during his exile and lived on on Oysters (Bellan) from a nearby stream.  This story is validated by the fact that Oyster shells are abundant at about 1 feet depth inside the cave. Thus this became to known as Belilena. It is said that after defeating the invaders the king has converted this cave to an temple and given the custodianship to Kottimbulwala Rajamaha Viharaya.

Another belief is that this cave has been a adobe of the pre historic cavemen known as Blangoda Man who had feasted on Oysters. No dating has been done so far to validate this claim.

Beligala Rajamaha Viharaya can be reached from the Colombo – Badulla Road from village of Palle Kanda (just after the 138th kilometer post) or from Ellepola just after the 139th post.

Also See

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

• Balangoda Beligala Rajamaha Viharaya ( Sinhala PDF)

Map of Balangoda Beligala Rajamaha Viharaya

Driving Directions To Balangoda Beligala Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Colombo to Beligala Raja Maha Viharaya

Though : Avissawella – Ratnapura – Pallekanda Distance : 130 km Travel time : 2.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map