Tissawa is small town 12 km off Panduwasnuwara and 35 km off Kurunegala. This remote town is draped by a massive rocky mass over 900 meters long carrying the same name Tissawa. According to folklore, A minister called Upatissa in the group of Vijaya (543-505 BC) which landed in the island in the 543 BC had settled in this area and thus became known as Tissawa.
Panaliya Gotabhaya Gallen Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient cave temple believed to be built by king Gotabhaya who ruled the Ruhunu kingdom in the 2nd century BC on a 400 feet high rocky outcrop 5km off Polgahawela towards Rambukkana.
Perched atop a 61 m (200 ft) rocky hill near Kurunegala, Vilbawa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient cave temple linked to Kuveni, queen of legend. Its Kandyan-era image houses, pre-Brahmi inscriptions, and centuries-old stupa ruins echo the spiritual and historical depth of Sri Lanka’s early civilization.
Koradoluwa Mayuraselarama Viharaya lies on a rocky outcrop in Polgahawela DS about 6.5 km from the town. According to folklore, this rocky plateau had a large imprint of a peacock thus was called Monaragala.
Seruwagala Purana Viharaya lies on a large rock plain covering an area of over 50 acres. Current temple at the site goes back to the Kandyan Era but according to folklore this temple has been built during the period of king Walagamba. However no evidence to backup this can be found today.
Alawwa Maligagodella is a rather unknown site with ruins on a rocky outcrop 3.5km off Alawwa town. The area is scattered with ruins of number of ancient buildings.
According to the historic Algama Sannasa, Sri Sangharaja Rajamaha Viharaya has been re built and granted to Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangaraja Thero by Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 2341 BE (1797 CE).
Dambadeniya Metiyagane Mayurawathi Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient cave temple on the Dambadeniya – Narammala road just 4 km from Dambadeniya. Based on the dating of inscriptions found at the temple the history of the temple goes at least back to the 1st century.
The mountain range of Nathagane had acted as a Monastery, Temple, Fortification and a place complex since the 2nd-3rd century BC. A large number of caves can be found with remains of ancient buildings at this mountain range.
Diyabate Purana Viharaya lies between Yapahuwa and Madagalla on the Maho – Madagalla Road. Turning to right at Konwewa and traveling 2 km will bring you to the desolated temple complex built at the bottom of a massive rock at Diyabate.
Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve at the Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya lies on the Puttalam – Galgamuwa road, close to Nawagattegama. The site is 42km away from Puttalam and 19 km away from Galgamuwa.
The Tampita Viharaya at the Eethanawatta Purana Viharaya is built upon 12 granite pillars. A narrow circumambulating path around the main chamber can be seen. The outer wall of the inner chamber is covered in paintings. Entrance to the chamber is through a finely decorated Makara Throrana (Dragon Arch).
Maunawa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient temple with a Tampita Viharaya hidden on the Chilaw – Wariyapola road. Unfortunately this temple has been renovated in 1910 destroying all its antiquity.
Mawathagama Makulana Rajamaha Viharaya is believed to be built enshrining part of the hair relic of Buddha given to Tapassu Balluka who and intern given to a merchant called Kanaka.
Wanguthanna Sri Sunandaramaya is a Buddhist temple in Watareka, Mawathagama with an ancient Tampita Viharaya built during the Kandyan Kingdom. The temple lies off Rambkkama – Mawathagama road, 12 km off Rambukkana and 10km off Mawathagama.
The Tampita Viharaya at the Malagamuwa Udugodagama Purana Viharaya is comparatively small. A narrow circumambulating path with no protective rail surrounds the image house.
Yataththawala Bodhiwansaramaya Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple belonging to the era of the Dambadeniya kingdom with a Tampita Viharaya belonging to the Kandyan Era.
Yakarawatta Purana Siddha Pattini Tampita Devalaya is one of the oldest and respected Pattini Devalaya in the Sathkoralaya (Kurunegala District). According to legend, Yakarawatta Devalaya is over 500 years old.
Lunukadawella Rajamaha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple with an ancient Tampita Viharaya lying in in Rikillagamuwa. According to legend Prince Gemunu on his march to Vijithapura to attack Elara’s last hold had rested with his army at Lunukadawella and it is said that this temple was built by him for his soldiers to perform Buddhist rituals.
Badagamuwa Thorayaya Ancient Viharaya is an Buddhist temple with an ancient Tampita Viharaya built during the era of king Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781) of Kandyan Kingdom. The temple lies bordering Badagamuwa Forest on the Kurunegala – Dambulla road.
