Budumuththawa Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya

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Budumuththawa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient temple located near Nikaweratiya town, situated between Padeniya and Anamaduwa. Its history stretches back to the Anuradhapura Kingdom, and today the site features artifacts from the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandyan periods.

Origins of the Name “Budumuththawa”

There are two prevailing theories regarding the origin of the temple’s name. One popular belief is that the stupa was constructed to house a pearl necklace (Muthuharaya). This necklace was purportedly given by Prince Siddhartha to Kisagothami after hearing her significant words, and it was later brought to the island of Sri Lanka by two princes, Danda Shakya and Thruna Shakya, who then enshrined it here. This theory suggests that the name evolved from “Budu Muthuhara Vehera” to “Budumuththawa Vehera.”

Supporting this idea is the mention in the historical text ‘Sirilaka Kadayim Potha‘ of a stupa containing the Buddha’s “Muktha Dathu” (pearl relics).

The second theory, proposed by Prof. Paranawithana, suggests the name “Budumuththawa” derives from “Badu Muktha,” meaning “Tax Exempted,” indicating the temple or its lands were exempt from taxes.

Inscriptions of Budumuththawa Rajamaha Viharaya

Three ancient inscriptions have been found at Budumuththawa Rajamaha Viharaya. All three are written using a combination of Pallava and Tamil scripts. Two of these inscriptions are on pillars of the Tampita Viharaya, which was built during the Kandyan era. Professor Senarath Paranawithana deciphered these two pillar inscriptions, both dating to the 8th year of King Jayadeva’s reign (1110 – 1152 CE).

First Inscription

The first pillar inscription is inscribed on three sides of a granite pillar and was made by the officials of a person named Weerabahu.

Second Inscription

The second pillar inscription, found on a single side of another pillar, records a donation to the Eashwara Devalaya in Mahagallaka, Wickramashila Mega Pura. This donation was made by Weera Perumal‘s wife, who was also the daughter of the Chola king Kulathunga. This inscription provides evidence that the area was known as Mahagallaka during the 12th century.

Third Inscription

The third inscription is on a stone slab. Unfortunately, many of its letters are eroded due to centuries of exposure to the elements. This slab is currently mounted on the wall of a hall called “Sangamitta Shalawa.” A Tamil professor from Peradeniya University read this inscription and determined it belongs to the Polonnaruwa era. It details donations made by a powerful trade association known as “Nanadesheen” traders to a devalaya dedicated to “Paramashweri,” a goddess they worshipped, and another devalaya for “Annyawaruwan Willi” in the region.

A Copper Plate

A copper plate in the possession of the temple’s chief prelate, dated 1763-64 during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinhe (1747 – 1781), confirms the temple’s historical status. The plate states that the temple was in a state of disrepair and that the king undertook its renovation, subsequently handing it over to the Bhikkhus. The Tampita Viharaya at the temple was most likely added or significantly renovated during this period. The temple also safely preserves a considerable number of Ola Leaf manuscripts donated by the king.

Tampita Viharaya of Budumuththawa

A Tampita Viharaya is a distinctive architectural structure built on a wooden platform supported by stone stumps, typically 3-4 feet high. The roof is constructed with a timber framework, and the walls are generally made from wattle and daub. The inner walls of the chamber are almost always adorned with paintings, primarily in the Kandyan style.

The Tampita Viharaya at Budumuththawa is reportedly based on a plan similar to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and is a two-storied building. The image house is supported by 27 granite pillars, around which the ground floor is constructed. These pillars are decorated with carved wooden pekada (decorative pillar heads). The roofing utilizes flat clay tiles characteristic of Kandyan-era buildings. A wooden staircase provides access to the image house, which comprises an inner and an outer chamber. Inside the inner chamber, there is a seated Buddha statue carved from wood. In front of the Tampita Viharaya, connected at the roof level, is a Hevisi Mandapaya (drummers hall) supported by 8 tapered cylindrical brick pillars.

Unfortunately, most of the murals within the Tampita Viharaya have deteriorated over time, with only a few designs remaining visible on the image house roof.

The priest’s residence (Sanghawasa) at the viharaya is also quite old, likely dating back to the Kandyan era. It has two entrances, at the front and rear, both of which cannot be locked from the outside. According to the chief prelate, this feature symbolizes that the temple should never be left unattended, and someone should always be present.

The “Tisara Sandeshaya,” a poetic work authored by “Midellawa Korala” in 1758, includes verses that mention this temple as follows;

සතර වටිය වළු කරටිය නිම් මාන
නෙරළු කැටිය සෙත කරටිය දම් මාන
සොඳුරු සිටිය කත දැවටිය උම් මාන
මිතුර දුටිය නිකවැරටිය ගම්මාන

දැනගත්තා පෙර ලෙස ගණිතය මෙවරේ
ගැන ගත්තා සත් විසි නැකතම නොහැරේ
අර ගත්තා පරසිඳු නැකතම අනුරේ
බුදුමුත්තා වෙහෙරට වැඳගන් මිතුරේ

This temple was officially declared a protected archaeological site on August 12th, 1966, under gazette number 14708.

How to Get There

To visit the temple, travel to Nikaweratiya town from either Kurunegala or Puttalam. Turn onto the road leading to the Nikaweratiya Base Hospital. Continue past the hospital for 400 meters, then turn left onto the lane next to a shop named Smart Bakers. Proceed along this lane for another 500 meters to reach the temple.

In to the inner segment of the Viharaya of the Budumuththawa Rajamaha Viharaya

The 1st inscription in the Tampita Viharaya of the Budumuththawa Rajamaha Viharaya

The slab inscription in the Budumuththawa Rajamaha Viharaya

The Kanimadala of the roof - Budumuththawa Rajamaha Viharaya

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