Selawa Rajamaha Viharaya and the Legacy of Moratota Himi

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Selawa Rajamaha Viharaya - සැලව රජමහා විහාරය — Selawa Rajamaha Viharaya – සැලව රජමහා විහාරය

Most Venerable Moratota Rajaguru Sri Dhammakkhandha Thero—commonly known as Moratota Himi—was a distinguished disciple of the renowned Sangharaja Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero. During the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1781), Moratota Himi was appointed as the Anunayaka (Deputy Chief Prelate) and honored with the title “Rajaguru” (Royal Educator).

Foundation and Royal Patronage

Moratota Himi began the construction of Selawa Rajamaha Viharaya during King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe’s time. The project was later continued and completed under King Rajadhi Rajasinghe (1781–1798), who was himself a disciple of Moratota Himi. It was King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (1798–1815), the last monarch of Sri Lanka, who finally completed the enshrinement rituals by placing the “eyes” on the Buddha statue—a customary consecration ceremony—and granted paddy lands for the temple’s upkeep.

Moratota Himi’s daily records, written on palm-leaf manuscripts (puskolapotha), are preserved at Hingula Bodhimalu Viharaya. These notes provide insights into the early development and religious practices of Selawa Viharaya.

A Royal Test of Virtue

A well-known legend surrounds Moratota Himi involving a test of his chastity. A rumor once reached King Rajadhi Rajasinghe, alleging that Moratota Himi had violated his celibacy due to a woman. To test the monk’s virtue, the King disguised himself as a woman and, wearing bangles, extended his hand through the monk’s window.

Recognizing the King’s hand, the Sangharaja Thero is said to have recited the following verse:

“ලකර මුව තඹර සියොගත සියු මැලියේ
අසලක නම් නිතර දැකුමට සිත ඇලියේ
ඇසළ මස දිටිමි යනවා දිය කෙළියේ
සකල සිරි ලකට අග රජ නුඹ ද ලියේ”

(Roughly: “O fair lady with a moon-like face, whose heart yearns to always behold, I saw you bathing in the month of Esala; are you not the chief monarch of all Lanka, O Lady?”)

Upon hearing this verse, the king was deeply moved and is said to have recited the following verse to Moratota Himi:

අමර ගුරු භරණ සත් දත් පිනාවන්
විතර නොවන ගුණ නැණ සපිරි නාවන්
පතර නමැති මොරතොට යති මනාවන්
සසර වසන තුරු මට වාසනාවන්”

(Roughly: “O venerable guru, endowed with abundant virtues and wisdom, O revered Moratota Thero, may you be fortunate for me as long as I remain in samsara.”)

Architectural Highlights of Selawa Viharaya

The temple is nestled beneath a large rock cave that is approximately 118 feet long and varies in width from 18 to 22 feet. Open on multiple sides, the cave complex is divided into four main sections:

Middle Viharaya—The largest chamber (42’10” × 21’10”) contains the principal reclining Buddha statue, which measures 36 feet 6 inches in length. The statue, typical of the Kandyan artistic style, is adorned with a robe draped in wave-like folds and features a flame-shaped siraspatha above the head. Unusually, the statue’s head faces west.
Upper Small Viharaya—Situated above the main chamber, this is the smallest section. It houses a reclining Buddha statue flanked by two standing Buddha images, all decorated with lotus and floral motifs indicative of Kandyan-era artistry.
Corner Viharaya—Located to the west, this 18′ × 15′ section features a beautifully carved stone doorway. Inside is an 8’6″ reclining Buddha seated on a 2½-foot-high platform beneath a vibrant Makara Thorana (dragon archway). The upper arch contains about 16 divine figures, with smaller reclining images on both sides. A mural on the rear wall depicts Migastenne Adikarama, a notable historic figure.
Secret Chambers—Two hidden chambers beneath the cave, possibly used as royal refuge during threats, are connected internally.

On the right-hand front wall of the temple is a 19-line rock inscription warning that anyone who dishonestly takes even a small offering intended for the Buddha will be reborn as a Mahapreta (a tormented spirit).

Historical Inscriptions

Near the main temple, another rock bears an inscription attributed to King Kashyapa V (914-923 CE), further emphasizing the ancient sanctity and continued patronage of the site.

Access and Location

Selawa Viharaya is located near Aranayake in the Kegalle District. From Mawanella, one must travel 2 km past Aranayake, cross the Maha Oya bridge, continue another 2 km, and then travel 2.8 km along the road towards Rahala to reach the temple.

References

Yatawara, M. D. M. S., 2009. කෑගලු කෝරළ පවත: පරණකුරු, කිණිගොඩ සහ ගල්බඩ කෝරළයන්හි ඓතිහාසික, සංස්කෘතික සහ පුරාවිද්‍යාත්මක ගවේෂණය. 1st ed. Warakapola: Ariya Publishers.

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Travel Directions to Selawa Rajamaha Viharaya

From Colombo to Selawa Rajamaha Viharaya

Via: Kadawatha – Ambepussa – Kegalle – Mawanella – Aranayake – Rahala
Total distance: 110 km
Travel time: 3 hours
Time to spend: Approximately 30-45
Driving directions: See on Google Maps