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Doramadalawa is a hidden village that lies between Mihinthale and Rambewa on the route to Vavunia. This sleepy little village takes a very prominent place in the “Maha Vansa”, the “Great Chronicle” of Sri Lanka.
King Panduwasdeva (504-474 BC) had 11 children, ten sons and one daughter; the eldest of all was named Abhaya, youngest, the daughter was named Chitta. It was told by Sooth Sayers that the Son of Chitta would kill all his uncles to take the Throne of the country. But Abhaya not wanting to kill Chitta, imprisoned her in a tower with a single entrance with an army of soldiers protecting the prince from any man. Chitta grew to be such a pretty princess she drove men mad by the mere sight of her beauty. She thus became known as “Unmada Chithra”.
Despite all precautions taken to keep her away from men, her first cousin managed to win her heart and bore a child who was named ” Pandukabhaya”.
Before being discovered her son, princess “Unmada Chithra” managed to sneak her son out of the tower through a female attendant and was set to “Dvaramandalaka”, which is considered to be the Doramadalawa today.
Here at Doramadalawa, Prince Pandukabhaya lived as a farm boy for 17 years protected by the villagers and survived 3 attempts on his life by his uncles.
As predicted by the Sooth Sayers Prince Pandukabhaya killed all his uncle to become the ruler of the country from 437 BC and was the first king to rule from Anuradhapura.
Visiting the village of Doramadalawa, even today you would see the irrigation reservoirs, paddy fields and the descendants of the people who would have been part of King Pandukabhaya’s first 17 years of life.
Doramadalawa Rajamaha Viharaya which is the centre of the village is a cave temple going back over 2000 years ago probably the era before Christ.
The cave temple at the Doramadalawa Rajamaha Viharaya is said to be the longest cave image house in the country. Next to this is an ancient Vishnu Devale with a 2300 year old statue of the god Vishnu made out of Rath-handun wood.
The temple consists of a number of drip ledge caves with inscriptions, a large rock inscription now protected by the Department of Archaeology.
Also See
Map of Doramadalawa 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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Travel Directions to Doramadalawa Rajamaha Viharaya
| Route from Anuradhapura up to Doramadalawa Rajamaha Viharaya |
| Distance : 15.5 km Travel time : 30 mins Driving directions: see on google map |
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