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, secluded village located deep within the interior of Sri Lanka, near Mihintale—the historic cradle of Buddhism on the island. For over 2,000 years, Mihintale remained a vital center of Buddhist practice. However, today’s Buddhist pilgrims often visit only the main Mihintale Shrine, unaware of the wealth of ancient sites scattered across the surrounding landscape.

One such hidden gem is Sulugulu Purana Viharaya at Galmaduwa, a remote temple rarely visited by outsiders. The temple grounds are strewn with remnants of ancient Buddhist structures, including broken granite pillars, flower altars, balustrades, and stone steps.

According to tradition, the temple was founded by Sulugulu Upasaka (a lay devotee) for Maliyadeva Maha Arahath Thera during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (307–267 BCE). It is said that Maliyadeva Thera visited the upasaka’s Ayurvedic treatment center to drink a cup of herbal kenda (porridge). While the mixture was still heating over the fire, Maliyadeva Thera, using his spiritual Iddhi powers, took the upasaka to worship Silumina Maha Seya in Tawthisa Heaven.

The Stupa

The main surviving feature at Sulugulu Purana Viharaya is a weathered stupa, now largely overgrown with weeds. Tradition holds that the stupa was built to enshrine the ashes of Maliyadeva Thera after his Parinirvana.

No formal conservation efforts have been undertaken on the stupa. However, a small modern shrine housing Buddha statues has been erected nearby, making use of ancient granite steps and balustrades found at the site.

The Tampita Viharaya

According to the Government Gazette notification dated 20 March 2017, the site—comprising an ancient stupa, tampita vihara, ruins of other structures, and various archaeological artifacts—was officially declared a protected archaeological site.

However, no complete Tampita Viharaya currently exists at the location. Only a few pillar stumps remain, suggesting that a tampita vihara once stood here but has since been destroyed.

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

References

Kariyawasam, A. V. (2017, March 20). The Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 3A.

Also See

Map of the Mihintale Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya

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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

Through : 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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