Buddhist devotees highly venerated Tissamaharama Stupa as one of the sixteen sacred places in the country where the Buddha is supposed to have visited
Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya T issamaharama Viharaya , also known as Tissamaha Vihara , Tissarama (Sinhala: තිස්සමහාරාම රජ මහා විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in the vicinity of Tissa Wewa in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. Buddhist devotees highly venerated it as one of the sixteen sacred places in the country where the Buddha is supposed to have visited (Abeyawardana, 2004). History Tissamaharama Viharaya was founded by King Kavantissa (205-161 B.C.) along with the Silapassaya Pirivena (Nicholas, 1963). It is said that Prince Dutugemunu (reigned: 161-137 B.C.) made an offering at Tissamaha Vihara before setting out on his campaign against King Elara [(205-161 B.C.) Nicholas, 1963]. The chronicle Mahavamsa states that during the reign of King Ilanaga (35-44 A.D.) the Stupa was enlarged and restored (Abeyawardana, 2004). Subsequently, the Stupa was restored during the reigns of King Voharikatissa (215-237 A.D.) and King Vijayabahu I [(1055-1110A.D.) Abeyawardana, 2004]. Inscriptions This temple is believed to hav…
