Padagoda is a small agricultural village off Inginiyagala. Although almost all the villages and towns in this area are settlements developed along with the Senanayake Samudraya scheme, the whole of Ampara District was once a part of the Digamadulla Sub Kingdom which had been flourishing since 4th century BC reaching its peak in 2nd century BC under the rule of prince Saddhatissa (brother of king Dutugemunu).
Padagoda Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient temple now lying in the middle of a paddy field in the Pahalanda village showing the proof of this prosperity of the region over 2000 years ago.
The ancient stupa and other ruins of this temple has been declared as a protected archaeological site by the Government with the Gazette issued on 26th December 2014, and describes the location as follows ;
“Arama complex with ancient Chaithya and ruins of ancient buildings in the premises of Padagoda Rajamaha Vihara belonging to Pahalanda village situated in Grama Niladhari Division No. W/28/A, Pahalanda in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Damana in Ampara District in Eastern Province. (Latitude 07º20´ 512´´ N and longitude 81º58´ 188´´ E).”
In addition, more ruins which belonged to the same aramic complex in the past on the paddy field called Pansalkumbura in front of the temple also has been separately declared as a protected archaeological site by the same gazette and describes the location as follows ;
“Ruins of buildings at the place called Medapallamayaye Pansalkumbura in front of Padagoda Rajamaha Vihara belonging to Pahalanda village situated in Grama Niladhari Division No. W/28/A, Pahalanda in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Damana in Ampara District in Eastern Province. (Latitude 07º20´ 512´´ N and longitude 81º58´188´´ E).”
Also See
Map of Padagoda Rajamaha Viharaya
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 Padagoda Rajamaha Viharaya
Route from Inginiyagala Road to Padagoda Rajamaha Viharaya |
Through : Inginiyagala- Padagoda- Koknahara Road Distance : 6.2 km Travel time :15 min Time to spend : 15-30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |