Sri Sumathindarama Viharaya (Doranagoda)

Sri Sumathindarama Viharaya, also known as Doranagoda Raja Maha Viharaya or Sadananda Pirivena (Sinhala: ශ්‍රී සුමතින්දාරාම විහාරය/සදානන්ද පිරිවෙණ) is a Buddhist temple situated in Doranagoda Village in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.

History

Folklore

According to local beliefs, the history of Sumathindarama temple is going back to the reign of King Devanampiyatissa [(247-207 B.C.) Devananda, 2016]. It is believed that this temple was established by an Indian prince named Sumitta who is said to be a brother of Vedisa Devi, the queen of King Dharmashoka [(c. 268-232 B.C.) Devananda, 2016]. Prince Sumitta arrived in Sri Lanka with Sangamitta Theri, the Buddhist nun who brought the southern branch of the sacred Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya (India) to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C.

The Stupa of the present temple is said to be a renovated one of the original Stupa which was destroyed during the Portuguese Period [(1505-1658 A.D.) Devananda, 2016]. The Stupa as well as the image house of the temple, according to local beliefs,  have been renovated during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe [(1747-1782 A.D.) Devananda, 2016]. The Kelani Vihara inscription of Buddharakkhita records that besides the work of repairs at Kelani Cetiya, the temples of Kitsirimewan Kelaniya and Doranagoda Vihara which had been in ruins for a time were also repaired and improved under the patronage of Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (Ranawella, 2015). Doranagoda Vihara which is mentioned in this inscription, according to many, is the present Sumathindarama Viharaya.

Ruins

A number of stone-made building components and artefacts such as stone pillars, Korawak Gal (wingstones), flower altars, etc. are found scattered throughout the Vihara Maluwa premises. Some of the stone pillars have been utilized as components of modern structures.

References

1) Devananda, R., 2016. Doranegoda Sri Suathindarama Rajamaha Viharaya Ha Sadananda Pirivena (in Sinhala). Sadananda. Sri Sadananda Maha Pirivena. ISBN: 978-955-3947-00-0. pp.1-10.
2) Ranawella, S., 2015. Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: Inscriptions of Ceylon: Vol. IX. Department of Archaeology. ISBN: 978-955-9159-98-8. pp.58-62.

Location Map

This page was last updated on 5 October 2022