Sankhapitti Purana Viharaya, also known as Kothalawala temple (Sinhala: කොතලාවල සංඛපිට්ඨි පුරාණ විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Kothalawala village in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. It is located on the wayside of Kaduwela - Battaramulla road about 650 m distance from the Kaduwela bus stand.
History
The early history of Sankhapitti Viharaya is not clear. It is believed that this temple has been established during the end of the Kotte Period or the beginning of the Kandyan Kingdom.
An old manuscript which is currently in the possession of the temple reveals that the trusteeship of this Vihara had been transferred to Batugedara Gnanalankara Thera by the then caretaker, Hakpitiye Aththadassi Thera. This letter which has been dated in 1823, is considered important as it is the only written document containing the earliest date related to the history of the temple.
A protected site
The ancient image house in the premises of the Sankhapitti Vihara in Kotalawala village in Kaduwela Divisional
Secretary’s Division is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government Gazette notification published on 1 November 1996.
References
1) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no: 948. 1 November 1996.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 27 August 2022