Kirinda Raja Maha viharaya | AmazingLanka.com

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Krinda Viharaya — Kirinda Viharaya
photo by Nalin Perera

Explore the Kirinda Viharamahadevi Raja Maha Viharaya, a breathtaking coastal temple dedicated to Queen Viharamahadevi. Perched on a rocky outcrop, this sacred site commemorates her heroic sea journey and offers panoramic ocean views, blending deep historical significance with stunning natural beauty.

More than 2000 years ago, there reigned over the western part of Ceylon, a king called Devanampiyatissa. As Kelaniya was his capital, he was also called Kelani Tissa. It so happened that this king thought he had good reason to suspect a monk of the temple of helping an intrigue between the queen and his brother, accordingly losing control over himself, he gave orders that the go-between be put to a painful death by immersion in a cauldron of boiling oil.

The ministers of state were horrified; the subjects of the realm were terror-stricken. What was more, it appeared as if even the gods were annoyed. By way of punishment, they caused the ocean to flood the land – and tradition holds that roughly a fifteen-mile swathe of coastline (a yodun) in the king’s realm was washed away.

Moved to penitence, Kelani Tissa thought out a method by which he could atone for his sacrilegious act. He planned, as a sacrifice, something which he considered would not only bring forcibly to the minds of his subjects the sincerity of his repentance but would also propitiate the gods.

He built a boat of gold. He provided it with food and water to last a month and therein he placed his eldest daughter the peerless princess of the realm. Bearing an inscription which made known to all that it contained a king’s daughter, the boat was cast adrift.

Many days later a fisherman roaming the sea coast spied a strange craft cast ashore at a spot called Dovera, near Kirinda. Coming nearer, he beheld the princess and forthwith carried the news to the king of the southern kingdom of Rohana – where Kavantissa ruled at Magama.

This king, Kavantissa, married the maiden who had been brought to him so romantically by fate and named her Vihara Maha Devi. On the summit of the cliff, there stands a dagoba erected as a thank offering for the safe voyage of the princess. According to scholars, the royal court of arms (the sun and the moon) cut on a boulder nearby commemorates this event and marks the landing place.

At Gotimbaragodaella, about 2 miles inland from Kirinda, are said to be the ruins of a palace where Kavantissa officially welcomed and wed the princess. And in the Ruhuna National Park near Palatupana are some ancient monuments referred to as Magul Maha Viharaya, where it is believed they lived after their marriage.

However, these monuments and sites are subject to heavy debate by archaeologists and historians.

Amongst the dunes of Pottuvil, the archaeological reserve of Mudu Maha Vihara is also said to be associated with Vihara Mahadevi. Some scholars believe that this is the place where Queen Vihara Mahadevi and her entourage were washed ashore and not Kirinda. Locally it is also believed that the picturesque village of Komari just a few miles away was where King Kavan Tissa asked where the princess was after sighting the vessel at sea. Hence “Ko Kumari?” which was corrupted into the name of that village: Komari.

Nearby at Lahugala stands the ruins of Kavantissa’s palace complex and the remains of an interesting building named the Magul Maduwa where the wedding ceremony of King Kavantissa to Vihara Mahadevi is believed to have been solemnized.

By Kishanie S. Fernando
Sunday Times

Rock Inscriptions at the Temple Site

All the current structures at the temple are of modern origin; however, two rock inscriptions located within the premises exhibit ancient characteristics. Both inscriptions are attributed to the 1st century CE. Of these, the principal inscription is engraved on a granite rock surface facing east. This inscription has been deciphered and is considered to hold significant political importance, as it records a sub-king named Naga who renounced his false beliefs and sought refuge in the teachings of the Buddha.

‘In the boundless universe, there is none equal to Buddha. (He) is of all objects, the most difficult of attainment. (He) is the one who has attained omniscience, the Teacher who has no superior, the Great Refuge (and) the Eye of the World. Buddha is verily the Self-existent One. At the convent on this rock, the viceroy· named Naka’ went to Buddha for refuge. Having broken down false beliefs, (he) became (attached to the path of Beatitude)”

Historical Interpretation

Paranavitana identifies Naga with King Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21 CE). A copy of this inscription has also been discovered on the Akurugoda pillar at Tissamaharama.

The second inscription is likewise carved on a rock surface, situated at a slightly lower elevation than the main inscription.

References

C. W. Nicholas, 1963. Historical Topography of Ancient and Medival Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series Volume VI Special Number, pp. 62.
S. Paranavitana, 1945. Brahmi Inscriptions in Sinhalese Verse. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Volume XXXI, pp. 60-63.
Somadeva, R., 2006. URBAN ORIGINS IN SOUTHERN SRI LANKA. Doctoral Thesis in Archaeology. Uppsala University.

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Driving Directions to Kirinda Raja Maha Viharaya

Route I from Colombo to Kirinda Raja Maha Viharaya	Route II from Colombo to Kirinda Raja Maha Viharaya
Through : Ratnapura – Udawalawe – Thanamalwila distance : 255 km Travel time : 6 hours Driving directions : see on Google Maps.	Through : Southern Expressway – Tissamaharama distance : 280 km Travel time : 4 hours Driving directions : see on Google Maps.
Route from Kataragama to Kirinda Raja Maha Viharaya
Though : Tissamaharama distance : 30 km Travel time : 45 mins Driving directions : see on Google Maps.