Nedigamwila Wilpita Rajamaha Viharaya in Hambanthota – හම්බන්තොට නැදිගම්විල විල්පිට රජමහා විහාරය

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

Nedigamwila Wilpita Rajamaha Viharaya is located in Ambalanthota  District Secretariat Division and could 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.

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 about 168 feet. The Dagoba is believed to be built in the 3rd century BC by regional king Mahanaga, brother of king Devanampiyatissa.

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 a onion.