Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage
Perched on the Galkanda Mountain in Mutur of Trincomalee District, Kottiyarama Mula Rajamaha Vihara features an ancient hilltop stupa, drip-ledged caves with inscriptions, and rock ponds. Marked by a white lion’s-mouth entrance, the temple complex offers panoramic views of the Trincomalee District alongside ongoing stupa construction.
Map of the Muttur Galkanda Temple Ruins
The map above also shows other places of interest within approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information on these sites
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Kottiyarama Mula Rajamaha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in Muttur, established on the site of an ancient Buddhist monastic complex. The entrance to the temple is marked by a recently constructed lion’s mouth structure painted white. The ancient archaeological remains are situated at the summit of the hill, where a relatively large stupa stands.
A large new stupa is currently being constructed around the existing archaeological remains. Among the ruins are several drip-ledged caves containing inscriptions recording donations, as well as ancient rock ponds.
The summit of this mountain offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the Trincomalee District. When travelling from Trincomalee towards Serunuwara, the Galkanda Mountain Range can be seen rising prominently above the surrounding flat plains as the road passes through Mutur. The white-painted lion’s mouth structure at the foot of the mountain is easily recognisable from a distance, standing out against the surrounding landscape.
Also See
Traveling Directions to the Muttur Galkanda Temple Ruins
| Route from Trincomalee to Muttur Galkanda Temple Ruins |
| Through: Kinniya – Muttur Distance: 32 km Travel time: 45 minutes Driving directions: see on Google Maps |
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