Rajakulawadana Rajamaha Viharaya in Weligama lies just 250 meters east of the more well-known Agrabodhi Rajamaha Viharaya. This temple is also referred to as Weligamgane or Galgane Viharaya. In ancient times, these two temples were one.
According to the Culavamsa (Geiger & Rickmers, 1929, pp. 131–132), during the reign of Queen Kalyanavati (1202–1208), General Ayesmantha, who governed the whole of Sri Lanka, sent Deva Adhikari and the charming Valligamma to establish a viharaya. Additionally, the general himself constructed a pirivena called Rajakulawadana Pirivena, donating both people and land to ensure its maintenance.
The site where this pirivena was located is now known as “Ganahaluwa Watta,” which means “the garden where the hall of the monks was situated.” This indicates that the site once belonged to the ancient Aggrabodhi Viharaya. There is also a stone inscription from the reign of King Bhuvanekabahu IV (1341-1351) of the Gampola Kingdom, which mentions a circumambulation path (sakman maluwa) he constructed and the various offerings made to the temple (අග්රබෝධි විහාරය – සිංහල විශ්වකෝෂය, 2023). However, the plaque placed by the Archaeology Department at the temple credits the inscription to King Bhuvanekabahu V (1372-1408) of the Gampola Kingdom.
In 1914, Ayrton reported that the old image house was about 100 years old, and a new one was being constructed. The original stupa is believed to have been built by King Mahaculi Mahathissa (76-62 BCE) and restored some 100 years ago, around the same time the old image house was constructed. (Senaveratna, 1920)
This temple is mentioned in the Chulavamsa, the Lesser Chronicle of Sri Lanka, which records that it was founded by a general named Ayesmanta, who wielded significant power behind the throne of Queen Kalyanawathi during her reign from Polonnaruwa between 1202 and 1208 (Dias, 1991, p. 42).
Parakramabahu IV (1302-1326) is recorded to have built a long prasada of two storeys named Parakramabahu Prasada at the Weligama Viharaya and granted the village of Saligiri, present Alagiriya, 6 miles from Weligama. (Nicholas, 1963, p. 72)
The Inscription at Weligama Rajakulawadana Rajamaha Viharaya
The inscription at Weligama Rajakulawadana Viharaya was published by Mueller (1883, p. 139) and again by Malani Dias (1991, pp. 41–42). It reads ;
In the sixth regnal year of His Majesty King Sirisangabo Sri Buwanekabahu Chakravarthi, the Minister named Kalu Parakrama caused to have built a promenade for the community of monks by hired labour.
The following requisites were given for the preparation of arms for the two permanent monks and one day’s arms for the monks from the 4 quarters.
The seed paddy of the rice-field…., the crops of 6 amunas, z coconut grove, five slaves, a pair of oxen, a copper pot full of offerings, pallenquins with gold railings, carry-in chairs, pillows made of oil cloth, round pillows, Silken bedspreads, curtains. This Promenade was built for the accumulation of merit to his majesty, King Buwanekabahu who brought me up ( during my tender years). (Therefore) We should be maintained by the future generation without dispute, until the Rajakulavadana temple lasts. May they attain heaven and the bliss of emancipation (moksha) by doing this (meritorious deed).
References
- Dias, M. (1991). Epigraphical Notes Nos 1-18. Department of Archaeology.
- Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa Being The More Recent Part Of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part II–II. Pali Text Society. (Original work published by various Buddhist monks from the 12th century to 1815)
- Mueller, E. (1883). Ancient Inscriptions in Ceylon. Trubner & Co, Ludgate Hill.
- Nicholas, C. W. (1963). Historical Topography of Ancient and Medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series Volume IV (Special Number).
- Senaveratna, J. M. (1920). Antiquities in the Southern Province – Diary of the Late Mr. E. R. Ayrton. The Ceylon Antiquary and Literary Register, VI (part II), 86–93.
- අග්රබෝධි විහාරය – සිංහල විශ්වකෝෂය. (2023, July 11). සිංහල විශ්වකෝෂය. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from http://encyclopedia.gov.lk/si_encyclopedia/index.php/අග්රබෝධි_විහාරය
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Map of Weligama Rajakulawadana Rajamaha Viharaya
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