Kadawalagedara Sulugulu Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya

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Tampita Viharaya at the Kadawalagedara Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya
photo by Indika Ekanayaka

Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya at Kadawalagedara is an ancient temple with origins dating back to the early Anuradhapura period. Based on research conducted by Rajarata University, the temple was founded during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BCE), soon after the arrival of Mahinda Thero to Sri Lanka.

Following King Devanampiyatissa’s conversion to Buddhism, he commanded the construction of temples every mile along major routes leading to Anuradhapura. According to local tradition, when one of the Dethis Pala Bodhi trees of the Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura was being transported to Dedigama, the carriers spent the night at the present temple site. The next morning, they discovered that the sapling had miraculously taken root there. A protective wall was built around the tree, and in time, a temple was established on the site.

It is also said that Maliyadeva Maha Thero, believed to be the last Arhat to live in Sri Lanka, frequently visited this temple. His devoted lay follower, Sulugulu Upasaka, who is famed for accompanying Maliyadeva Thero on spiritual journeys to Silumina Maha Seya in Tavatimsa Heaven, is closely associated with the temple’s history.

Archaeological Findings

Artifacts uncovered at Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya span over 2,000 years, from the early Anuradhapura period to the Kandyan Kingdom. Significant discoveries include:

Three Sripathul Gal (sacred footprint stones symbolizing the Buddha)
A granite basin used for dyeing monks’ robes
A granite toilet stone
Four granite slabs from ancient flower altars
The ancient Bodhi tree
Remains of an early stupa
A Tampita Viharaya from the Kandyan period

Historical Inscriptions

A rock inscription at Diggala in the Swarangala area (along the Danikitawa–Ambanpola Road) mentions a Pasebudu (Paccekabuddha) residing in this region. Another pillar inscription at Hidogama Wewa in Maha Giriulla includes the phrase “දසමක පංචක බුධහේ ථු ථෙ”, interpreted to indicate the construction of a stupa over the ashes of the 10th Pasebudu, named Thitha. Based on historical and geographical evidence, this stupa is presumed to be the one at Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya.

The stupa was subsequently renovated and expanded by several Anuradhapura kings:

King Dutugemunu (161-137 BCE)
King Saddhatissa (137–119 BCE)
King Valagamba (89-76 BCE)
King Gajabahu I (113-135 CE)
King Bhathika Tissa (140-164 CE)
King Buddhadasa (340–368 CE)
King Aggabodhi I (575–608 CE)

Later contributions were made by:

King Parakramabahu I (1153–1186 CE) of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom
King Buwanekabahu I (1272–1284 CE) of the Dambadeniya-Gampola era
King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1781 CE) of the Kandyan Kingdom

The Tampita Viharaya

During the Kandyan period, a Tampita Viharaya was constructed at Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya. A Tampita Viharaya is a shrine built atop a wooden platform resting on stone pillars, typically 3–4 feet high. These structures feature timber frameworks and wattle-and-daub walls, often decorated with Kandyan-style murals.

At Sulugulu, the Tampita Viharaya stands on five-foot-high granite pillars. A narrow circumambulatory path, protected by a half-height wall, surrounds the image house. Wooden pillars along this path support a roof of flat clay tiles, typical of the Kandyan period. The roof extends forward, forming a mandapa (porch), accessed via a wooden staircase. Both the inner and outer walls of the image house are adorned with murals. The Department of Archaeology restored the Tampita Viharaya in 2014.

On 11 October 1974, the Department of Archaeology officially gazetted (Gazette No. 133) the Tampita Viharaya and the ancient stupa at Sulugulu Viharaya in Kadawala Gedara village in Kurunegala District as a protected archaeological site.

How to Reach

Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya can be accessed from Nikaweratiya via two routes: the Maho Road or the Puttalam Road. Both routes cover similar distances.
Choosing the Maho Road offers additional opportunities to visit:

Hulugalla Tampita Viharaya (via a by-road to Hulugalla Wewa Reservoir)
Dalukgolla Tampita Viharaya (3.8 km towards Dalukgolla, then another 2.3 km)

From the four-way junction on Ambanpola Road, take the center road and continue for about 5 km to reach Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya.

Kadawalagedara Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya

Ancient Bodhi of Kadawalagedara Sulugulu Rajamaha Viharaya

References

Damayanthi, K. A. N. (2017). ශ්‍රී සුළුගුළු රජමහා විහාරය පිලිබඳව මානවවංශ පුරාවිද්‍යාමක අධ්‍යනයක් [Research paper]. Department of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

Also See

Dethis Pala Bodhi Trees in Sri Lanka

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