Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya in Uraniya, Mahiyanganaya is an ancient Buddhist temple revered for its mystical aura and local spiritual significance.
Nagadeepa Viharaya (Mahiyangana) Not to be confused with Nagadeepa Viharaya (Jaffna) N agadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: රිදීමාලියද්ද නාගදීප විහාරය, මහියංගනය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Uraniya village in Rideemaliyadda, Badulla District, Sri Lanka. History Folklore According to local tradition, the history of Nagadeepa Viharaya goes far back as the history of nearby Mahiyangana Viharaya . Some believe that this temple was built during the reigns of King Kavantissa (205-161 B.C.) and King Dutugemunu [(161-137 B.C.) Priyadarshani & Gunasena, 2017]. It is also said that Prince Dutugemunu and his army who were advancing to Mahiyanganaya from Mahagama (present Tissamaharama) in the second century B.C. had passed a place named Tungam Kasatapitiya, a place probably located near Uraniya (Nicholas, 1963). The name: Nagadeepa Two anecdotes are there that describe how the present name "Nagadeepa" originated (Priyadarshani & Gunasena, 2017). According to one anecdote, the name has come into parlance as a Bud…
