Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya

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Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Tampita Viharaya

Nestled in the remote village of Manankattiya in the Galenbindunuwewa area of Anuradhapura District, Sri Sudarshanarama Rajamaha Viharaya sits quietly by the tranquil Manankattiya Wewa Reservoir—the lifeline of this isolated farming community.

Though little is known about the temple’s documented history, the presence of ancient Siri Pathul Gal—stone slabs carved with the sacred footprint of the Buddha—indicates its origins may date back as early as the 2nd or 3rd century BCE. These venerated symbols predate the use of Buddha statues in worship.

The Hidden Tampita Viharaya

What makes this temple particularly unique is a neglected Tampita Viharaya hidden within its grounds—a structure never before identified in any compilation of Tampita Vihara structures. Built during the Kandyan period, this rare architectural treasure remains unknown outside the village and has yet to be acknowledged by the Department of Archaeology.

A Tampita Viharaya is a shrine built on a wooden platform supported by stone stumps, typically 3–4 feet high. The one here stands on 12 unrefined granite stumps. Its small entrance is a small wooden frame and a door adorned with now-faded floral carvings, flanked by two guardian statues. Inside, a seated Buddha image rests beneath a traditional Makara Thorana (Dragon Arch), flanked by statues of Vishnu (left) and Kataragama (right), with two standing Buddha figures beside them. The standing images are heavily damaged, though their full-body halos remain visible.

The interior walls are adorned with vibrant Kandyan-era murals, depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life, Jataka tales, and the Suwisi Vivaranaya (The Twelve Great Predictions). Intricate traditional Sinhala motifs such as Gal Binduwa (ගල් බිංදුව), Thanipata Lanuwa (තනිපට ලණුව), Depata Lanuwa (දෙපට ලණුව), Thani Suliya (තනි සුලිය), Suli Deka (සුලි දෙක), Ira Rali Iruwa (ඉර රැළි ඉරුව), Havadiya (හවඩිය), Bo Pathuru (බෝ පතුරු), Palapethi (පලාපෙති), Mala saha Kolaya (මළ හා කොළය), Pananawa (පනාව), Diyarella (දියරැල්ල) and Liyawel (ලියවැල්) embellish the mural work.

A Call for Preservation

Sadly, this heritage structure remains neglected. Treasure hunters have stolen painted wooden roof panels, and the centuries-old timber is now deteriorating. Despite local appeals for restoration, no conservation efforts have been undertaken so far.

How to Reach Sri Sudarshanarama Rajamaha Viharaya

From Habarana (31 km away)::
Start by heading down the Maradankadawala road for 15 km, then turn onto the road leading to Galenbindunuwewa. Continue for another 12.5 km until you reach a left turn marked by a yellow signboard pointing toward the Manankattiya Reservoir and temple. Follow this narrow, quiet road for 3.5 km, passing through patches of chena cultivation and forest. Just before you reach the reservoir bund, take a turn into the Manankattiya village. The temple is located about 300 meters from this point.

From Anuradhapura (33 km away):
Travel toward Galkulama and take the turn at the Galkulama Filling Station toward Yakalla. After driving 18.5 km on this route, you’ll find the turn-off to the Manankattiya Reservoir on your left. From here, continue for 3 km until you reach the reservoir bund. Cross the bund to reach the temple.

Inside the Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Tampita Viharaya

A guardian deity at the entrance of Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Tampita Viharaya

Inside the Tampita Viharaya at Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Rajamaha Viharaya

Entrance of the Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya

Ancient Sri Pathul Gal at the Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Rajamaha Viharaya

Scattered granite stumps at the Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Rajamaha Viharaya

Tampita Viharaya of Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Rajamaha Viharaya

The Praching Hall (Bana Maduwa) built in 1952 at the Manankattiya Sri Sudarshanarama Viharaya

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