Sasthrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya

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Sastrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya - සාස්ත්‍රවෙල මනිනාග පබ්බත විහාරය

Today, the village of Sasthrawela is merely a tiny inhabited spot located along the Panama-Pottuvil Road, so insignificant that it does not even appear on the Surveyor General’s map. During the 1980s, the threat of attacks by Tamil terrorists forced many inhabitants to flee to Panama, and life only returned to these eastern areas following the defeat of the terrorists in 2009. Despite its current obscurity, Sasthrawela was a renowned and vital seat of learning during the peak of the Ruhunu Kingdom.

Folklore suggests that the name Sasthrawela is derived from the original name Shastraweiliya, which implies an association with an educational institution, as the word Shastra roughly translates to a discipline or art form. The area was reportedly the home of many scholars and soothsayers in ancient times. Legends state that scholars travelled from distant kingdoms and even across the sea from India to Sasthrawela to study various disciplines of science and astrology.

The village is relevant to the story of Prince Gamini because the astrologers employed at King Kavantissa’s Royal Palace are said to have hailed from here. When the royal wedding between King Kavantissa of Ruhuna and Princess Vihara Maha Devi was arranged, the astrologers of Sasthrawela were consulted. It is said that after examining the horoscopes of the royal couple, these learned men determined the auspicious times for the various rituals associated with the marriage.

The Temple Ruins and History

A significant ruin that offers a glimpse into those prosperous times is the Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya, which is believed to date back to the reign of King Mahanaga, the first king of Ruhuna. Although the temple is now in a dilapidated state, featuring an unfinished stupa and scattered granite pillars, it is still venerated by villagers who mostly visit on full moon Poya days after making the difficult journey from Panama. Legend holds that the Stupa, originally built by King Mahanaga, was renovated by King Kavantissa and his son, Saddatissa.

King Mahanaga established his capital in Magama, believed to be modern-day Tissamaharama, after fleeing Rajarata following an assassination attempt. Ruhuna subsequently flourished for many centuries, sometimes as an independent kingdom and other times as a semi-autonomous sub-kingdom under Anuradhapura. While many archaeologists attribute the original temple complex to Mahanaga, some suggest that a Naga king named Maninaga was the first patron. The Nagas were a prehistoric tribe inhabiting the island before the arrival of the Aryans in the 6th century B.C., though it is believed they intermingled with Aryan settlers and became part of ancient Sri Lanka’s social fabric. Thus, a Naga king ruling the region and building a shrine is plausible, though historical evidence to confirm this has yet to be discovered.

According to chronicles and inscriptions found in the area, Panam Pattu was known as Kalyanakannika in early history. The Mahavamsa records that Mahadathika Mahanaga (7–19 CE) built the Maninagapabbata Vihara in this area, a fact attested by an inscription at Sasthrawela belonging to the same king. The inscription lists places assigned to the Vihara, including Velamuka or Elamuka (a name suggesting a coastal location), Urakamaka, Hujikada, and Bira (.)gayara. Stone pillars and other ruins scattered near the Stupa indicate that this was once a vast monastic complex that sheltered many monks.

Sasthrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya - සාස්ත්‍රවෙල මනිනාග පබ්බත විහාරය

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, p.22.
E. Medhananda, 2005. The Sinhala Buddhist heritage in the East and the North of Shri [i.e. Sri] Lanka. 1st ed. Colombo: Dayawansa Jayakody & Co, pp.31-32.

Also See

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Travel Directions to Sasthrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya

Route from Colombo to Sasthrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya	Route from Batticaloa to Sasthrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya
Through : Avissawella – Ratnapura – Beragala – Wellawaya – Buttala – Monaragala – Siyambalanduwa – Pottuvil – Arugam Bay Distance : 320 km Travel time : 7-8 hours. Driving directions : see on google map	Through : Kalmune – Akkarapattu – Pottuvil – Arugam Bay Distance : 120 km Travel time : 2-3 hours. Driving directions : see on google map