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Padalangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya (පදලංගල වෙහෙරගොඩැල්ල රජමහා විහාරය)

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Conserved ancient stupa of Padalangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya

Hidden within the ancient Ruhuna Kingdom, the Padalangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya reveals the remnants of a long-lost stupa buried beneath time. Excavations in 2016 uncovered its sacred relic chamber, intricate brickwork, and traces of ancient Buddhist craftsmanship that echo early spiritual heritage of Rohana Kingdom.

Padalangala is situated in the Embilipitiya region, which lies within the boundaries of the ancient Ruhuna Kingdom of Sri Lanka. Ruhuna played a pivotal role in the island’s Buddhist civilization, often serving as a bastion of Sinhala culture and political resilience, particularly during times when the central kingdoms of Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa faced foreign invasions or internal instability. Many of the archaeological sites in this region are believed to date back to the early Anuradhapura period.

Location and Access

The Padalangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya is located within the Padalangala Grama Niladhari Division of the Embilipitiya Divisional Secretariat. The site can be reached by turning left at the Padalangala junction on the Embilipitiya–Nonagama road and proceeding about 2 kilometers along the Sooriyawewa road.

Excavation of the Ancient Stupa

The temple grounds are strewn with various ancient stone artifacts, silent witnesses to a bygone era. Among these remains stood a stupa mound, thickly covered in vegetation and resembling a small natural hill. In 2016, archaeological excavations were carried out at this location to expose and study the stupa ruins.

During these excavations, it was revealed that the builders had first removed a layer of loose soil less than one meter deep from the original ground level to ensure a stable foundation. The base was then filled with alternating layers of gravel and soil. Over this prepared surface, a layer of sakka gal (cobbles) was laid to form the stupa’s platform.

Structural Features

The facade of the platform was constructed using well-laid bricks, while the interior was filled with hard clay mortar and large bricks to ensure strength and stability. The stupa itself was built upon this solid platform. However, the upper portion of the stupa has suffered extensive damage over time, making it difficult to reconstruct the original form of the pesava (basal rings) or the upper dome structure. In several sections of the courtyard, portions of the brick platform had been broken away, and unshaped stone pillars were placed on these spots to hold mal asana (flower altars).

Plan of the conserved ancient stupa of Padalangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya

The Relic Chamber

Upon clearing debris from an unauthorized excavation pit located at the center of the stupa, archaeologists discovered the remains of a relic chamber (dhatu garbhaya) that had been heavily damaged. The chamber, built in a square shape using bricks and lime mortar, once housed a significant sacred relic. Within it, a stone object was found, which is believed to represent Mount Meru (Mahameru), the cosmic mountain central to Buddhist cosmology. Several chatra stones (circular stone discs) were also found scattered around the stupa site.

Ruins scattered around the Padalangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya

Mahameru in the Relic Chamber of Padalangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya

References

Dissanayake, S. B. (2024). 2016 වර්ෂය සඳහා පුරාවිද්‍යා අධ්‍යක්‍ෂක ජනරාල්ගේ පාලන වාර්තාව. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

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Driving Directions to Padangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Barawakkumbura Exit to Padangala Weheragodella Rajamaha Viharaya

Distance : 5.5 km
Travel time : 6 mins
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