Deegavapi is one of the 16 sacred sites (Solosmasthana) in Sri Lanka that are considered blessed by the Buddha’s presence. On his second visit to Nagadeepa, Buddha was invited to Kelaniya by Mani Akkika, a ruler from the Naga tribe. In the 8th year after attaining nirvana, the Buddha visited Sri Lanka for the third time, and Kelaniya was one of the key destinations. During this visit, the Buddha also travelled to Deegavapi, accompanied by 500 Arhaths, and spent time there in meditation. Deegavapi holds the 6th position among the Solosmasthana of Sri Lanka
According to the Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, the Deegavapi Stupa was constructed by King Saddhatissa, who reigned from 137-119 BC. The chronicle also records that King Saddhatissa made a significant donation to the stupa, gifting a jacket adorned with gold lotus flowers and various gems to cover it.
…… “Moreover, he founded the Dighavapi-vihara together with the cetiya; for this cetiya he had a covering of network made set with gems, and in every mesh thereof was hung a splendid flower of gold, large as a wagon-wheel, that he had commanded them to fashion. (In honour) of the eighty-four thousand sections of the dhamma the ruler commanded also eighty-four thousand offerings. When the king had thus accomplished many works of merit he was reborn, after his death, among the Tusita gods.” ……….
As this site is believed to have been blessed by the presence of the Buddha, it is generally thought that the stupa is a “paribogika” stupa, meaning no significant relics are enshrined within it. However, historian Venerable Ellawela Medananda Thero suggests that the stupa may actually contain a nail relic of the Buddha. An inscription found on a gold foil during excavations reveals that King Kawanthissa (164-192 AD) carried out renovations on the stupa.
Over time, the Deegavapi temple fell into neglect due to the internal conflicts in the country. In 1756, King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1781), recognizing the temple’s dilapidated state, undertook significant renovations and entrusted it to Rev. Bandigide Negrodha Thero, along with 1000 ‘amunu‘ (approximately 2000-2500 acres) of land. Two stone inscriptions, one by King Saddhatissa and another by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, existed at Deegavapi until the last century, but both have mysteriously disappeared. However, a copy of the Rajasinghe inscription made in 1845 still exists today.
During British rule, all the temple lands were confiscated, and in 1886, the British government agent in Batticaloa ordered the excavation of the 2000-year-old stupa. The bricks and ancient granite slabs were repurposed for local irrigation projects. Since no Buddhist labourer would take part in the destruction of this sacred site, the British employed local Muslims for the task. Eventually, only a mound remained of the once-great stupa, which was then abandoned to the jungle.
In 1916, a monk named Kohukumbure Revatha Thero began searching for the lost stupa. He discovered that local Muslims were transporting bricks from a large mound deep in the forest. Following them, he found the stupa in ruins. Determined to restore the site, he rallied a group of Buddhists from Colombo to begin redeveloping the area and succeeded in reclaiming 250 acres of temple land. By this time, the Deegavapi area had become predominantly Muslim, as King Senerath (1604–1635) had offered refuge to Muslims who were harassed by the Portuguese along the coast and allowed them to settle in this area. King Senerath not only gave them shelter but also destroyed a Portuguese fort at the port of “Deegavapi Thitha” to ensure their ability to trade freely. Unfortunately, in 1950, Kohukumbure Revatha Thero was murdered by a Muslim from the area.
When the Archaeological Department began restoration efforts in 1964, the stupa stood at 110 feet, although a document by Badigode Buddharakitha Thero from 1845 recorded the height at 185 feet. The stupa’s circumference is approximately 1000 feet, and so far, 30 feet of the structure has been restored.
The Deegavapi Stupa is located about 18 kilometres east of Ampara, in an area now dominated by Muslims. Today, the temple land and its historical artefacts face threats from local Muslims and politicians who seek to erase Buddhist heritage from the region. Numerous conflicts have arisen in recent years, with attempts to destroy temple artefacts spread over thousands of acres. While there have been instances where the artefacts were saved, many times these efforts have succeeded, often with government indifference. Recently, a parivara chethiya was bulldozed to build a road within the Deegavapi premises.
The activities of the Tamil Tiger Terrorists, LTTE since the 1980s further contributed to the neglect of the site, as access was restricted. During the 1980s, the LTTE attacked a nearby Sinhalese village, killing 13 and wounding over 40 villagers. Until the LTTE was defeated in 2008, only a few brave monks remained at Deegavapi, risking their lives to maintain a Buddhist presence at the site.
Other names : deegavapi, digavapi, deegawapi, digwapi,
Also See
- Solosmasthana – The Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites Hollowed by Buddha
Map of Deegavapi Rajamaha Viharaya
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
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Driving Directions to Deegavapi Rajamaha Viharaya
Ampara is the nearest main town to deegavapi. Take the Akkaraipatthu road from Ampara. It is about 18 km off Ampara town.
Route 1 from Colombo to Deegavapi | Route 2 from Colombo to Deegavapi |
Though : Awissawella – Rathnapura – Beragala – Wellawaya – Monaragala – Ampara distance : 350 km Travel time : 7-8 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Though : Kandy – Mahiyanganaya – Meegaswattha – Padiyathalawa – Maha Oya – Ampara distance : 330 km Travel time : 7-8 hours Driving directions : see on google map |
Route from Ampara to Deegavapi | |
distance : 20 km Travel time : 30 minutes Driving directions : see on google map |
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