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Lying in the Gampaha District in a simple and tranquil village, Weboda Gallen Raja Maha Viharaya has a history going back to the period of King Walagamba (89-77 BC).
This temple is also locally known as Gale Pansala (temple of the rock) since this temple lies on a rock and ‘Punchi Sri Pada” due to the Buddhas’ footprint carved on the top of the rock.
King Vattagamini Abaya ( better known as King Walagamba) came to the throne in 104 BC and soon after he had to face an attack from South India and fled to the southern part of the Country. For the next 15 years, he lived in exile moving from city to city using caves as his temporary adobes organizing an army to take back the throne. The king finally succeeded in defeating the Tamil Invaders in 89 BC and took back the capital of Anuradhapura.
During his 12-year reign thereafter, he is said to have converted hundreds of caves all over the country which gave him shelter in to cave temples and donated them to the Sangha. Therefore almost all the cave temples in Sri Lanka is associated with him in one way or another.
Warana Raja Maha Viharaya, Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Viharaya and Weboda Gallen Raja Maha Viharaya are some of the more popular cave temples in Gampaha District associated with King Walagamba. Weboda Temple is also mentioned in ancient poetry books such as Hansa Sandeshaya (13th century) and Mayura Sandeshaya (13th century) indicating that this temple has been flourishing throughout history.
The temple has a rock pool on the way to the top of the rock. It is said that this pool never goes dry even in the worst droughts. In addition, the temple consists of two cave image houses and remains of an ancient building called Ranaraja Hall.
Also See
Map of the Weboda Gallen Raja Maha Viharaya
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Driving Directions to Weboda Gallen Raja Maha Viharaya
| Route from Kandy to Palkumbura Raja Maha Viharaya |
| Though : Kandy Road Distance : 26 km Travel time : 1 hour Driving directions : see on Google map |
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