Heritage

Nedigamwila Wilpita Rajamaha Viharaya in Hambanthota (හම්බන්තොට නැදිගම්විල විල්පිට රජමහා විහාරය)

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Nedigamwila Wilpita Rajamaha Viharaya is located in Ambalanthota District Secretariat Division and can be reached traversing 8 km along the Tissamarama – Kadingama road. According to the chronicle Dhatuvamsa the frontal bone relic of the Buddha is enshrined in this Dagoba.

Nedigamwila Wilpita Rajamaha Viharaya Stupa in Hambanthota
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

This is a site conserved by the Department of Archaeology and a large restored pagoda and many ruins of ancient buildings can be seen in the temple premises.

The ruins of the Dagoba had been restored in several stages. Ruins dating to the Anuradhapura period had been discovered and from the remnants of the Dagoba, its circumference could be estimated to be about 168 feet. The Dagoba is believed to have been built in the 3rd century BCE by regional king Mahanaga, brother of King Devanampiyatissa. In addition, the remains of several ancient building structures can be seen on the ground of the present monastery premises.

This temple is believed to be built in the design of a Pabbatharama even though only the stupa has been restored. According to prof. Roland Silva, this is the only stupa discovered which has been built in the shape of an onion.

Map of the ancient buildings at Wilpita Rajamaha Viharaya

References

Somadeva, R. (2006). Urban Origins in Southern Sri Lanka (Doctoral thesis in archaeology at Uppsala University). Studies in Global Archaeology, Uppsala.
Urugodawatte, B. (2022) ‘Church Missionary Society School of Kotte’, Archeo Sri Lanka – Newsletter of the Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka, 2(2), pp. 3–4.

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Map of Hambanthota Nedigamwila Vilpita Rajamaha Viharaya

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Travel Directions to Hambanthota Nedigamwila Vilpita Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Hambanthota to Nedigamwila Wilpita Rajamaha Viharaya

Through : A2
Distance : 32km
Travel time :45 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map

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References

Also See

Map of Hambanthota Nedigamwila Vilpita Rajamaha Viharaya

Travel Directions to Hambanthota Nedigamwila Vilpita Rajamaha Viharaya

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