Keheliya Raja Maha Vihara

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Keheliya Raja Maha Vihara
කැහැලිය රජ මහා විහාරය

Keheliya Raja Maha Vihara, Sri Lanka.jpg

The dilapidated Stupa and other ruins
Basic information
Location Handapanagala, Wellawaya
Geographic coordinates 06°39′55.8″N81°07′37.4″E / 6.665500°N 81.127056°E / 6.665500; 81.127056 Coordinates: 06°39′55.8″N81°07′37.4″E / 6.665500°N 81.127056°E / 6.665500; 81.127056
Affiliation Buddhism
District Monaragala
Province Uva Province
Country Sri Lanka
Heritage designation Archaeological Reserve (22 November 2002)
Architectural type Buddhist Temple

Keheliya Raja Maha Vihara (Sinhalese : කැහැලිය රජ මහා විහාරය) is an ancient Buddhist temple in Monaragala District, Sri Lanka. The temple is located in Handapanagala village approximately 11 km (6.8 mi) distance from Wellawaya town. The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka. [1] The designation was declared on 22 November 2002 under the government Gazette number 1264. [2]

Buddhist temple place of worship for Buddhists

A Buddhist temple is the place of worship for Buddhists, the followers of Buddhism. They include the structures called vihara, chaitya stupa, wat and pagoda in different regions and languages. Temples in Buddhism represent the pure land or pure environment of a Buddha. Traditional Buddhist temples are designed to inspire inner and outer peace. Its structure and architecture varies from region to region. Usually, the temple consists not only of its buildings, but also the surrounding environment. The Buddhist temples are designed to symbolize 5 elements: Fire, Air, Earth, Water, and Wisdom.

Monaragala District Administrative District in Uva Province, Sri Lanka

Monaragala is a district in Uva Province of Sri Lanka. It is the 2nd largest of the 25 districts of Sri Lanka, with an area of 5,636 km².

Contents

The temple

An inscription near to the rock curved steps Keheliya Raja Maha Vihara 2, Sri Lanka.jpg
An inscription near to the rock curved steps

Located in Neluwagala Grama Niladari Division, the temple has been built on a small rock plateau close to the Handapanagala reservoir. The top of the rock plain is occupied by an ancient Stupa which is accessed by few steps, curved on the rock surface. The Stupa is now in almost dilapidated state, resembling only a mound of earth bounded with few rock boulders. Adjoining to the Stupa, a ruined image house is identified with number of other stone works including altars, monoliths, Balustrades (Korawak Gal), stone bases, Yantra stones and rock inscriptions. The rock inscriptions have been curved on the surface of the rock plateau and resemble early Brahmi scripts. [3] The lower terrace, situated at the north of the Stupa contains large number of ruined stone columns including a pillar inscription. The ruins are believed to be belongs to the 3rd century BC of the King Devanpiya Tissa period (307 BC – 267 BC). [3]

Stupa mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the ashes of Buddhist monks, used by Buddhists as a place of meditation

A stupa is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics that is used as a place of meditation. A related architectural term is a chaitya, which is a prayer hall or temple containing a stupa.

Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura King of Anuradhapura

Tissa, later Devanampiya Tissa was one of the earliest kings of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura from 307 BC to 267 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The primary source for his reign is the Mahavamsa, which in turn is based on the more ancient Dipavamsa.

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References

  1. ↑ "Protected Monument List 2012-12-12 (In Sinhala)" (PDF). Department of Archaeology. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Gazette". The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka . 1264. 22 November 2002.
  3. 1 2 "Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project- Final Report – Nov 2010#Keheliya Raja Maha Viharaya" (PDF). EJUSTICE. 20 November 2010. p. 185. Retrieved 30 January 2018. The archeological remains of a stupa and image house in the rocky plain and two buildings with stone columns near it is believed to be belongs to the 3rd century BC of the King Devanpiyatissa period. The two inscriptions seen in the area has early brahmiyan letters. The area is an archeological reserve
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