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Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya (වත්තේගම රජමහා විහාරය – කොටියාගල, සියඹලාණ්ඩුව)

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වත්තේගම රජමහා විහාරය - කොටියාගල, සියඹලාණ්ඩුව - Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya — වත්තේගම රජමහා විහාරය – කොටියාගල, සියඹලාණ්ඩුව – Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya

Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya is found by traveling 14.5 km from the Kodayana junction on the Moneragala-Siyambalanduwa road on the Kotiyagala road. It is located in the Wattegama Grama Niladhari Division of the Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat in the Monaragala District.

Wattegama is a large rocky mountain. There is another small hill near the main mountain. This ancient temple is built in the middle of these two hills. Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya as a whole dates back to the early days of the Ruhuna kingdom. a large dagoba lies here in ruins. Many sacred footprint stones which were worshipped by the Buddhists in the pre-Buddha era have been found on this temple premises. There is also an ancient Bodhi tree. The other valuable structure in the temple is the image house built during the Kandyan period. It is in fact a studio of Kandyan Art. However many of the paintings here are now faded or fading.

In 1985, a Japanese archaeology team investigated these ruins and published a report on the site in 1999. The main stupa which was covered in trees resembling a mound of earth is 27 meters in diameter and 8 meters in height. There were five chatra stones four Sri Pathula (sacred footprint) stones and many stone flower alters around the stupa. The most conspicuous chatra measures 115cm in diameter with an inner centre hole of 17cm in diameter. There are 2 pillars which are believed to be the Yupa Gala, the pillar which held the Chathra stones.

The main image house lies next to the stupa and measures 8mx10m. Inner wall of the building is covered in murals. According the residing priest, these the murals inside the image house has been painted about 300 years ago. Among the paintings there are mural of Dutch soldiers carrying rifles.

In April 2011 it was reported that the treasure hunters had caused extensive damage to the stupa at the top of the hillock and the ancient Buddha image. This stupa is seen as a mound of earth now.

The rocky mountain in front of the Wattegama Temple on the opposite side of the road is called Batahela Kanda. There are few rock cut stairs to reach the top of the rock. At the top of the stairs marked as B, number of inscriptions have been found carved on the rock, marked D.

References

Okamura, T., 1999. Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA. Tokyo: Exploration Club of Hosei University.

Also See

Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya Map

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Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya Driving Directions

From Monaragala to Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya

Total Distance : 30 km
Time to Travel : 45-60 mins
Time to spend : 30-60 mins
Driving Directions : See Google Map here

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Debarawewa Yatala Vehera
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Tissamaharama Rajamaha Viharaya (තිස්සමහාරාම විහාරය)
This massive Tissamaharama Stupa (Tissamaharamaya) is believed to be built by King Mahanaga in the 3rd century BC or King Kavanthissa in the 1st century BC and is the largest stupa in the ancient southern kingdom. […]
Eth Vehera Stupa in Mihintale Monastery (ඇත් වෙහෙර)
The climb along the long flight of steps leading to its summit of Eth Vehera is a rewarding experience. The narrow steps winding its way upwards makes art in its very simplicity. […]
Ambastala Dagaba (Sela Chethiya) and the Vatadage (අම්බස්තල දාගැබ)
Climbing up the 1,840 steps of Mihintale, this is the first relic which comes to view once you reach the upper terrace of Mihintale Complex. Ambastala Dagaba (also called Sela Chethiya) believed to be built by by King Mahadatika Mahanaga (09-21 AC) on the exact place where the great Mahinda Thero met the King Devanampiyatissa. […]

References

Also See

Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya Map

Kotiyagala Wattegama Rajamaha Viharaya Driving Directions

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