Heritage

Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya (නිකසළා නුවර විජය සොහොන)

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Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya
Photo by Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Medagama Kanda lies about 6 km south-east of Panduwasnuwara ancient Kingdom. At the top of this hill lies the ruins of an ancient dagoba conserved by the Department of Archeology in 1986. There is a strong belief that this stupa contains the remains of King Vijaya (543-505 BCE), the first in line of a royal dynasty which lasted over 2300 years.

The archaeology department which carried out carbon dating of the ashes found inside the stupa during conservation work has found that they are about 2,500 – 2,600 years old.

Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya which lies at the bottom of the hill was built by King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BCE) after he became a Buddhist after the visit of Great Mahinda Thero. It is said that the king built temples at every gauwa ( approximately 4 miles ?) and this is said to be one of such temples built by him. The excavation of the ruins of this temple has also exposed the remains of 2 stupas which were built by King Mihindu IV (956-972).

Just above the Raja Maha Viharaya, you can also find another cave temple built by King Wimaladarmasuriya (1592 – 1604) of Kandyan Kingdom. Few other caves with drip ledges around this main cave temple can be seen. According to the head priest, an inscription at the temple talks about the arthath priests dwelling in the caves of the temple. Therefore it could be that the name Niasala Nuwara originated from Ni-keles ( නි+කෙලෙස්) since this was the dwelling of those who achieved a purified mind.

To access the tomb, you need to climb up this hill from the temple below through virgin jungle paths with minimum directions. The tomb lies at the top of the hill which also gives an amazing view of the surrounding area.

Map of ruins at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

Path towards Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

Ancient marker rocks ? in the Jungles of Medagama Kanda on the way to Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

The Rock pool at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

The Jungles of Medagama Kanda on the way to Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

Meegaspitiya rock seen from Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

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Map of Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Travel Directions to Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Colombo to Nikasala Nuwara Tomb of King Vijaya at Kande Medagama Rajamaha Viharaya

Through : Negombo – Madampe – Panduwasnuwara
Distance : 126 km
Travel time : 2.5 hours
Driving directions : see on google map

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