Padiyadora Raja Maha Vihara

Coordinates: 07°23′52.8″N 81°15′08.1″E / 7.398000°N 81.252250°E / 7.398000; 81.252250
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Padiyadora Raja Maha Vihara
පදියදොර රජ මහා විහාරය
The ruined Stupa
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DistrictAmpara
ProvinceEastern Province
Location
LocationPadiyathalawa
CountrySri Lanka
Geographic coordinates07°23′52.8″N 81°15′08.1″E / 7.398000°N 81.252250°E / 7.398000; 81.252250
Architecture
TypeBuddhist Temple

Padiyadora Raja Maha Vihara (also known as Padidora Raja Maha Vihara, Sinhala: පදියදොර රජ මහා විහාරය) is an ancient Buddhist temple in Padiyathalawa, Sri Lanka. The temple is located on PeradeniyaChenkaladi - Badulla highway (A5) approximately 34 km (21 mi) distance from Mahiyangana town. The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka. The designation was declared on 10 October 2014 under the government Gazette number 1884.[1]

The temple[edit]

The temple, situated in the Padiyathalawa colony is believed to be constructed during the reign of king Kavan Tissa (205–161 BC).[2] The Dagoba, which is now in the dilapidated state, resembles only a mound of earth and a short rubble wall has been built along its perimeter. Near to the Dagoba is a torso statue of Buddha which is about 4 feet (1.2 m) in height. The nearby building, marked with a Dharmachakra is believed to be an old Bhikkhu dwelling and now is in the ruined state. Remaining ruins of a rampart or probably a Bodhighara, a stone door frame and granite pillars can be identified within the temple premises. The Bodhi tree which is being highly venerated by the local Buddhists, is believed to be from one of saplings of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.[3][4][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gazette 1884 & 10 October 2014, p. 912.
  2. ^ Withanarachchi, Chandana Rohana (2005). පෞරාණික ස්ථාන සහ ස්මාරක: අම්පාර දිස්ත්‍රික්කය (Ancient places and monuments: Ampara District) (in Sinhala). Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). p. 29. ISBN 955-9159-44-5.
  3. ^ "Padiyadora Rajamaha Viharaya – පදියදොර ඓතිහාසික පුරාණ රජමහා විහාරය". amazinglanka. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  4. ^ "President makes historic visit to Padiyathalawa". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. 2 July 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Padiyadora Raja Maha Viharaya". Lanka Pradeepa. 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2021.

Works cited[edit]