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photo by : Madushanka S. Manawarathna
Hathagala Purana Rajamaha Viharaya is a historic Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, located between Hungama and Nonagama on the Matara-Hambantota road. Today, it also serves as a pirivena, an educational institution where Buddhist monks are taught.
While much of the temple’s history remains unknown, it is known to have received royal patronage from King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1781) of the Kandyan kingdom. A document from 1795 indicates that the temple’s construction was carried out with the support of the villagers, stipulating that no animals should be killed within its boundaries. Another document (a sannasa) preserved at the temple records King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe’s presentation of the viharaya to Wagegoda Indrasara Thero (Abeyawardana, 2001). A large bronze statue of Buddha gifted by the king is still in possession of the temple.
A Tampita Viharaya is a structure built on a wooden platform that rests on a number of stone stumps usually 3-4 feet tall. The roof is held by a structure built of timber and the walls are generally made of wattle and daub and the inner walls are generally covered with frescoes drawn mainly in Kandyan style.
The Tampita Viharaya at Hathagala Purana Rajamaha Viharaya is built on 8, short (2-foot high) stone pillar stumps. Only the image house itself is elevated on these pillars. A wide circumambulatory path, built at ground level, encircles the image house, with the roof covering both the elevated image house and this ground-level path. A wooden balustrade surrounds the circumambulatory path. (Chandrasekara & Silva, 2021)
Inside the image house are five statues. The central figure is a seated Buddha, flanked by two standing Buddha statues. Adjacent to these Buddha statues are statues of the deities Vishnu and Skanda.(Chandrasekara & Silva, 2021)
To reach the temple, travel 1.5 km from Hungama junction towards Hambantota to reach Deniya junction. Take the left turn and travel 350 meters to reach the temple.
References
- Abeyawardana, H. A. P. (2001). Heritage of Ruhuna: Major Natural, Cultural, and Historic Sites. Ruhuna Development Bank.
- Chandrasekara, D. P., & Silva, K. D. (2021). The Ṭämpiṭavihāras of Sri Lanka: Elevated Image- Houses in Buddhist Architecture. Anthem Press.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Hathagala Purana Tampita Viharaya
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Traveling to Hathagala Purana Tampita Viharaya
| Route from Matara to Hathagala Purana Tampita Viharaya |
| Distance : 59 km Travel time : 1.5 hours Time to spend : 20- 30 mins Driving directions : see on Google map |
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