Heritage

Panama Wewevehera Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site (පානම වැවේවෙහෙර රජමහා විහාරය පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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Wewevehera Rajamaha Viharaya in Panama
photo source theblueztraveller.blogspot.com

Panama Wawevehera Rajamaha Viharaya (also known as Panama Rajamaha Viharaya and Panama Wawe Vehera Rajamaha Viharaya) and its ruins lie about five hundred meters away from the heart of Panama, its ancient reservoir which feeds most of the areas paddy fields. Lying in a cleared patch in the middle of the jungle, The cave temple has been dated to the 2nd century based on the inscriptions on the drip ledge cave.

Later inscriptions of the 5th to 7th centuries at this site give its ancient name as Panava Rajamaha Vahara, situated in the subdivision named Vajana.

This temple along with the ancient stupas, drip-ledge cave with inscriptions and other ruins of buildings has been declared a protected archaeological site by the Government with the Gazette issued on 10th October 2014, and describes the location as follows

“Rock with archaeological ruins including hillocks covering ancient chaityas, ruins of buildings, ponds, flight of steps, inscriptions belonging to Veherakema Buddhist Religious Center in Kunukola village Grama Niladari Division Panama South in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Lahugala in Ampara District in Eastern Province. (latitude 06º 70028’N and longitude 081º 77635′ E).”

References

C. W. Nicholas, 1963. Historical Topography of Ancient and Medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series Volume VI Special Number, p.22

Also See

Map of Panama Wewevehera Rajamaha Viharaya

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Travel Directions to Panama Wewevehera Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Pottuvil to Panama Wewevehera Rajamaha Viharaya

Through : Panama
Distance : 21 km
Travel time : 45 mins
Time to spend : 30-45 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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References

Also See

Map of Panama Wewevehera Rajamaha Viharaya

Travel Directions to Panama Wewevehera Rajamaha Viharaya

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