Mangalagama Ambalama – මංගලගම අම්බලම

Mangalagama is an ancient village in Sri Lanka located in Rambukkana Division in the Kegale District. It is situated on the Colombo – Kandy road 85 km away from Colombo. Mangalagama is known for 2 landmarks, one is the historic Bodhimalakaramaya Viharaya  and and the other is the Mangalagama Ambalama which lies right next to the road.

According to legend, an Indian Brahmin carrying a sapling of the Ananda Bodhi of India on a pilgrimage and traveling to Kandy broke rest at the Ambalama on this village.  He had left the sapling on a near by rock and slept at the Ambalama. Next day morning he was ready to move again and tried to lift the sapling but found it had taken root on the rock. Deciding that the sapling was destined to be planted at this location, he has stayed back at this village naturing the plant.

The Kandyan king hearing about this event had built an temple around the Bo Tree and granted him the village surrounding it. Since the name of this Brahmin was Mangala, the village became to known as Mangalagama.

The Ambalama you see today was re-built in 1970 by the Department of Archaeology. By that time only one wooden pillar with the cap and 8 granite pillars had been remaining of the building. The new building had been reconstructed with additional 8 concrete pillars shaped similar to the ancient granite pillars and wooden pillars carved based on the original remaining pillar.

Also See

• List of Ambalama’s in Sri Lanka
• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of Mangalagama Ambalama

Travel Directions to Mangalagama Ambalama

Route from Colombo to Mangalagama Ambalama

distance :85 km Travel time : 2.5  hour Time to Spent : 30 mins Driving directions : see on google map