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Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage
As you travel from Aralaganwila towards Dehiattakandiya, the ancient Mahasen Rajamaha Viharaya at Veheragala can be seen on the left.
This site is on the rock hill which extends over about 200 m. from north to south, about 100 m. from
east to west. The temple built upon a very ancient temple built millennia ago, still maintains signs of its antiquity. The ancient temple has been built atop a rocky plateau and the washed-out original stupa which has not been preserved, resembles a mound of rubble. Surrounding the dagoba, here are the remains of four stone flower alters and a stone umbrella.
In addition, many artefacts made out of granite can be seen scattered around the temple premises.
A 1975 report of the site, described the ruins of the site as below;
At the northwest end of the base are the remains of a flight of stone steps. At the southwest of the rock hill, here are the remains of a flight of steps from the foot to near the dagoba. On the centre of the rock hill, here are the remains of an ancient image house with two moonstones and pieces of stone balustrade, the remains of a structure, and a water hole. By the water hole, there are the remains of a stone plate and a cornerstone. Four remains of small dagobas are also found here.
Close to the image house here are ancient Sinhalese letters cut on the rock. Also, this site has indistinct
remains of structure. On a small rock hill which is the east of this rock hill, here are the remains of ancient structures and two water holes.
References
- The Exploration Club of Hosei University. (1978). The Ruins of Ancient Sinhalese Civilization -in the Jungle in Mahaweli Ganga Basin- Srilanka – Part II. Kinki Nippon Tourism and Culture Research Institute.
Also See
Map of Veheragala Mahasen Rajamaha Viharaya at Aralaganwila
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.
Travel Directions to Veheragala Mahasen Rajamaha Viharaya at Aralaganwila
The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
| Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City | Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City |
| Through: Central Highway—Kurunegala—Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 230 km Travel Time: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps. | Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps. |
| Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City | Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City |
| Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps. | Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps. |
| Route from Polonnaruwa to Veheragala Mahasen Rajamaha Viharaya at Aralaganwila |
| Distance : 38 km Travel time : 1 hour Driving directions : see on Google map |
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