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Located about five kilometers west of the famous Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya, Mandalagiri Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the lesser-known ancient temples scattered across the Seruwila region—an area still rich with undiscovered archaeological treasures.
Historically, this region was known as Seru Nuwara and formed part of the Rohana Kingdom during the reign of King Kavantissa (circa 205–161 BCE), the father of the great warrior king Dutugemunu. King Kavantissa is credited with building the sacred Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya, enshrining the Lalata Dhatu (forehead bone relic) of the Buddha, and transforming the surrounding area into a vibrant religious center. It is therefore widely believed that Serunuwara Mandalagiri Rajamaha Viharaya was also established by him in the 2nd century BCE as part of this sacred landscape.
Today, the site is scattered with remnants of ancient stone structures, testifying to its former significance. The most prominent among these is the stupa, which until recently was merely a large earth mound overgrown with grass and trees. In 2023, the Department of Archaeology began a preservation and restoration program to protect and restore the site. Following these efforts, the stupa now stands proudly on a square platform about 1.8 meters (6 feet) high, with the restored dome rising to approximately the same height—reviving a fragment of the region’s long-forgotten Buddhist heritage.
Also See
Map of Serunuwara Mandalagiri Rajamaha Viharaya
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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Travel Directions to Serunuwara Mandalagiri Rajamaha Viharaya
| From Trincomalee to Serunuwara Mandalagiri Rajamaha Viharaya |
| Via: Kinniya – Muttur Total distance: 45km Travel time: 1 hours Time to spend: Approximately 15-30 minutes Driving directions: See on Google Maps |
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