Bingiriya Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya

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The impressive Tampita Viharaya of the Bingiriya Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya
Photo by : Nilupul Sri

Devagiri Raja Maha Viharaya in Bingiriya is one of the ancient temples in Sri Lanka. It is situated in Kurunegala District in the North Western Province. The temple is situated on Chilaw –Kurunegala Road 16 miles off Chilaw and 16 miles off Hettipola. One has to travel about 1.6 km off the main road to reach the temple. Colombo International Airport is within the distance of about one hour drive from the temple.

The temple’s history begins around the 3rd century BCE. At that time, traders traveling to and from the nearby port of Sala Thota (modern-day Chilaw) would pass through the area. Legend has it that these traders placed a relic casket for worship at this location, which subsequently developed into a temple. The casket is said to have sunk into the ground, leading to the area being named Bingiriya (derived through variations like Bimgiliya and Bingiliya).

The stupa and other temple structures were initially constructed in the 3rd century BCE by traders under the patronage of King Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BCE). Later, in the 6th century AD, King Agbo I (575-608 CE) contributed further additions, including a two-story building west of the stupa, a shrine housing three stone Buddha statues, and a small dome east of the stupa. The Bodhi tree planted during that era still stands today. Currently, the temple grounds contain the ruins of an Uposathagara (ordination hall), several stone Buddha statues, and a crumbling brick wall that once enclosed the entire site. King Agbo I also gifted a reservoir and paddy fields to the Vihara.

King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 CE), a monarch highly regarded for his efforts in improving Sri Lanka’s agriculture, was responsible for the construction of various buildings, reservoirs, and ponds. The ancient city of Panduwasnuwara, where he lived as a prince, is situated 11 kilometers away from the temple. A stone inscription is said to have existed here, but it was unfortunately destroyed by invaders from the Chola dynasty (often referred to as “Solee” in historical texts). The old Arama (monastery) was in use until the Kotte period (which began in the 15th century CE), but now only its ruins remain.

Subsequently, King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1781), who reigned from Kandy, oversaw renovations of the temple. These repairs were conducted under the guidance of the Venerable Saranankara Sangharaja Thero. During this time, a Tampita Viharaya (a type of temple with paintings on raised platforms) was constructed, its design mirroring the revered Temple of the Tooth.

Plan of the Temple.

The temple complex is enclosed by a historic brick wall, with the various structures standing on a sandy courtyard. An adjacent courtyard contains the remnants of older buildings. To the north of the site, the stupa, encircled by an Eth Paura (Elephant Wall), is located. Nearby the stupa are ancient columns, likely used for hanging temple bells, which bear traces of Dutch archaeological markings.

At the center of the main courtyard stands the shrine, notable as the largest Tampita Viharaya in Sri Lanka. This two-story structure’s ground floor serves as a meeting hall, while the upper level, constructed of wattle and daub, is adorned with exquisite wall and ceiling paintings, showcasing the artistic traditions of the period.

South of the courtyard is the Bodhi Tree, believed to be 2,000 years old. Archaeological excavations in the adjacent compound have unearthed evidence of ancient structures. The Avasa (monk’s residence) is also located within the courtyard, with plans to build a new Avasa outside the courtyard. The Devala (shrine dedicated to deities) is situated outside the courtyard area.

Tampita Viharaya

TThe Bingiriya Tampita Viharaya, the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka, measures 34 feet in length and 24 feet in width. Elevated six feet above the ground, the viharaya rests on 24 granite pillars. The image house on the upper level is 20 feet 6 inches long and 12 feet wide, surrounded by a 2-foot 6-inch wide circumambulatory path.

Its height necessitated a second layer of roofing at the image house floor level. By 1960, a wall had been constructed around the granite pillars, enclosing the lower section, with entrances on all four sides. During subsequent restorations by the Department of Archaeology, these walls were removed, restoring the structure to its original form. Some deteriorated original timber beams were replaced during a 1992 restoration.

Two wooden stairways lead to the upper-level image house, though currently only one is in use. The image house has three entrances. The main front entrance, 6 feet 6 inches high and 3 feet 4 inches wide features a Suryawanka-style door frame, a dragon arch above, and guardian deity statues on either side. Repairs carried out approximately 70 years ago have unfortunately diminished the archaeological value of the murals and statues within the image house. The 7-foot-tall main Buddha statue, in a seated position, reflects the Kandyan tradition. Four 8-foot-tall standing Buddha statues flank the main statue, two on each side. The paintings and murals on the outer walls and roof of the image house believed to date back to the 19th century, are fading and exhibit a blend of Kandyan and local artistic styles, primarily depicting the Suvisiwiwaranaya and Arhaths.

This Tampita Viharaya is one of the few locations in the Kurunegala district showcasing exceptional wood carvings from the Kandyan era. The wooden pillars and their capitals along the circumambulatory path, the roof, and the wooden beams spanning the granite pillars are all richly adorned with Kandyan-era carvings.

Each wooden pillar around the circumambulatory path, along with its capital, displays unique carvings. These carvings feature a variety of motifs, including lotus flowers, binara flowers, pineapple flowers, wrestlers, elephants, bulls, Gajasinghas (mythical lion-elephant creatures), Sarpendiyas (mythical serpent beings), Herunda Pakshiyas (mythical birds), deer, rabbits, horse riders, and lions.

The Land Area

In 1873, the British administration formally granted 952 acres of land to the temple via deed number 91160. This land comprised a portion of the original grant bestowed by King Agbo I. Currently, this land is held in ownership by the successive incumbent priests of the temple.

Water sources.

The Kolamunu Oya, a tributary of the Deduru Oya, converges with the main river near the temple. This area, known as Kinda, remains a vital water source for the local community and is abundant with freshwater fish, including Lula, Ara, and crocodiles. Kinda also serves as an important breeding ground for inland fish species.

Within the temple grounds, the ruins of three tanks and twelve ponds are visible. One edge of the temple property extends to the Deduru Oya, where indigenous aquatic and other plant life thrive. The river’s flora and sandy bed contribute to water retention during dry periods. However, unregulated sand mining in the area is currently causing significant damage to the delicate environmental balance.

Natural Flora and Fauna

Approximately 160 acres of the temple’s land consist of natural forest. This small forested area is under threat from illegal logging and hunting activities. Despite these challenges, a small herd of deer can still be seen roaming within the forest.

References

Chandrasekara, D. P., & Silva, K. D. (2021). The Ṭämpiṭavihāras of Sri Lanka: Elevated Image- Houses in Buddhist Architecture. Anthem Press.
Wijewardhana, K. (2009). ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ටැම්පිට විහාර. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.

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