Monaragala Viharamulla Muppane Rajamaha Viharaya

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Monaragala Viharamulla Rajamaha Viharaya *(Muppane Rajamaha Viharaya)

Muppane Raja Maha Viharaya, also known as Viharamulla Rajamaha Viharaya, is located just 2.2 kilometers from the town of Monaragala and 1.7 kilometers from the Veddikumbura Junction along the Monaragala Road. Despite its proximity to the town, this temple remains largely hidden in historical obscurity, with only a few remnants above ground to hint at its ancient significance.

Archaeological Remnants and Antiquity

The stone pillars and slabs scattered across the site testify to its age. Renovated during the Kandyan period, the temple’s origins go much further back. The foundations of its ancient buildings lie buried, offering few visible clues. Two undecorated moonstones remain at the site. The one placed at the entrance to the courtyard measures 1.2 meters in diameter.

A headless Buddha statue made of crystalline limestone is another surviving artifact. Standing 2.1 meters high, this statue appears to follow the stylistic tradition of Amaravati and bears resemblance to the famous Maligavila Buddha statue. The shoulders span 80 centimeters.

Stupa and Yupa Pillar

Though the current stupa reveals no visible antiquity, the massive stone foundation upon which it rests does. The courtyard platform around the stupa is 19.3 meters square, and the stupa’s circumference is approximately 28 meters. At the entrance to the courtyard stands an octagonal stone pillar, possibly a Yupa, traditionally erected at the center of stupas. Though the base is obscured by bricks, the exposed height is around 2.4 meters with a circumference of 1 meter.

The Kandyan-Era Shrine and Inscriptions

A shrine built during the Kandyan era stands as one of the site’s most important features. Although much of the artwork and inscriptions has faded, one crucial inscription survives. It reads:

“In the one thousand seven hundred sixty-ninth year, the Venerable Sumangalabhidhana Therunnase of Beddegama, having performed many feats, assisted the Venerable Therunnases of Galmaduwa, completed the works of this temple, going to offer flowers in hopes of becoming a Buddha.”

Among the preserved paintings are scenes titled “How the great monk of Wattegama went to offer flowers”, “Muppane Dhammarakhita Thero”, and a depiction of a Kawudawe Thero. Another figure is a Nilame of Galmaduwa, identified as the grandson of Rajapaksa Mudiyanse of Galmaduwa—a detail of interest for the recent history of Lower Uva.

Architectural Layout of the Shrine

The shrine’s structure reflects typical Kandyan architectural forms. It measures 8.3 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width, with a double-layered roof. The inner room measures 4.4 meters by 3.2 meters. From the outer entrance to the inner room, the length is 4.2 meters. Each side wall between the outer and inner rooms measures 1.6 meters. The image house contains three doors and two windows.

Before entering the image house, one finds two Kinnari images projected forward between the two roof layers. Unlike the usual placement of such figures beside the entrance, their elevated placement here is a unique feature.

Guardian Deities and Decorative Features

Flanking the entrance to the inner chamber are two guardian deities. Above the doorway are two dragons, and above them two peacocks. Towering above this is a fierce Kibisi face, flanked by six deity figures—three on each side.

The rightmost deity stands on a bird resembling a chicken, the next on an elephant, and the third on a bull. On the left, the figures are seen on a bullock cart and a horse cart. Each deity wields various weapons, and between them, apes are painted against a blue floral ceiling.

Interior Details and Artistic Heritage

Inside, the entranceway is flanked by two wooden pillars with octagonal bases. The inner door, made of planks 3.8 centimeters thick, stands 2.22 meters high and 44 centimeters wide.

Paintings cover every wall of the shrine. The left side of the outer room depicts scenes of hell, while the right side shows a procession of Nilames with attendants carrying food offerings. The rear wall features the Mara Yuddhaya, while the eastern wall illustrates various heavens and Jataka stories.

Typically arranged in five horizontal rows, the paintings are executed in brown on light green backgrounds. Flute players are depicted on the inner chamber’s side walls, and one figure, possibly blowing a conch shell, is shown wearing a Dutch-style headdress.

Buddha Statue and Companion Figures

In the inner sanctum sits a large, clay-seated Buddha statue. Alongside are wooden figures of Sariputta, Moggallana, Vishnu, and Saman, all coated in clay. The top two rows of wall paintings on the right display the Suvisi Vivaraṅa (The Twenty-Four Declarations). Below are rows representing the Nilames and temple patrons. On the left side, the top rows show stupas and Buddha images, followed by Nilames and chief prelates.

The Kandyan Era Image House of Monaragala Viharamulla Rajamaha Viharaya (Muppane Rajamaha Viharaya)

Ruins of Monaragala Viharamulla Rajamaha Viharaya (Muppane Rajamaha Viharaya)

The ruined Buddha statue of Monaragala Viharamulla Rajamaha Viharaya (Muppane Rajamaha Viharaya)

References

De Silva, R. H., & Karunaratne, W. S. (1979). Administration Report of the Commissioner of Archaeology for the year 1979. Department of Archaeology.
Godakumbura, C. E. (1968). 1965-66 මුදල් වර්‍ෂය සඳහා පුරාවිද්‍යා කොමසාරිස්තැනගේ පාලන වාර්තාව: IV කොටස – අධ්‍යාපන, විද්‍යා සහ කලා (G). Government of Ceylon.
Sumanasekara Banda, S. J. (1986). ඌවේ දායාද (1st ed.). Sarvodaya Vishwa Lekha.

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