Heritage

Mihintale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya – මිහින්තලේ ගල්මඩුව සුලුගුලු පුරාණ විහාරය

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The ancient stupa now resembling a mound of earth at the Mihinthale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya
Photo by : Ajitha Kumarasinghe

Galmaduwa is an ancient remote village off Mihintale deep inside the country. Being the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Mihintale continued being an important Buddhist center for over 2000 years. Therefore the whole area of Mihinthale is scattered with Buddhist ruins of various eras. Unfortunately buddhist pilgrims only visit the main Mihintale Shrine and has no idea of what exists in the surrounding area.

Sulugulu Purana Viharaya at Galmaduwa is such a remote temple hidden way from any external visitors. Granite artifacts such as broken granite pillars of ancient buildings, flower alters, balustrades and steps and be found scattered all over the temple premises.

The main artifact at the temple is a dilapidated stupa covered in weed. No conservation has been carried out on this stupa. A small structure to keep Buddha statues has been built at this stupa and ancient granite steps and balustrades has been used for this structure.

This temple lies 9 km off Mihintale town and 4.5 km off Mahakanadara Wewa (reservoir). From Mihintale take the Trincomalee road upto Mahakanadara Wewa and take the road towards Ihalagama Road which lies opposite the wewa. Travel 4.2 km on this road and take the small gravel road to the left at the small buddhist image house which leads to the Galmaduwa Wewa (reservoir). The temple lies 500 meters down this road.

Scattered ruins of ancient buildings at the Mihinthale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya

Mihinthale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya Photo by : Ajitha Kumarasinghe

Mihinthale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya

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Map of the Mihintale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)

Show Location (ගූගල් සිතියම)

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 Mihintale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya

Route from Mihintale to Mihintale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya

Though : Trincomalee Road
Distance : 9 km
Travel time : 15 mins
Time to spend : 30 – 45 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map

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