(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5)
Loading...
photo by : Central Cultural Fund – Matara
The Budugala Rajamaha Viharaya which we are exploring in this article lies in Rotumba in the Morawaka Korale. The temple has been built utilizing number of natural rock caves on a rocky outcrop. According to legend this cave temple has been built by king Watta Gamini Abhaya, better known as king Walagamba (89-77 BC) of Anuradhapura kingdom.
Today you can see two caves with images. One of these has been renovated in 1904 by a Don Thomas Jasin Disanayake (දොන් තෝමස් ජාසිං දිසානායක) after discovering it covered in jungle. The complete cave temple including the 18 cubit (riyan) reclining Buddha statue has been built during this era.
Behind this cave temple another cave is found. An ancient 24 cubit clay reclining Buddha statue has been turned in to just a crumbling mound of clay with a wooden Siraspatha (head dress) by its side. This is probably the oldest artifact of the building.
Furthermore iron slag has been discovered in another cave and a large Brahmi rock inscription is found at the temple. The content of the original inscription has been repeated below the original probably by a priest who had realized that the original is washed away by time and weather. Based on this inscription, it is believed that that this has been a adobe of of a group of Maha Rahaths in the ancient past.
Also See
Map of Rotumba Budugala 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
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Traveling Directions to Rotumba Budugala Rajamaha Viharaya
Route from Vavuniya to Rotumba Budugala Rajamaha Viharaya |
| Through : Pitabeddara Time to spend – 30 – 60 minutes Distance : 30 km Travel time : 1.30 hours Driving directions : see on google map |
