Divurum Bodhi-malu Viharaya (Sinhala: අම්පිටිය දිවුරුම් බෝධිමළු විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Ampitiya village in Kandy District, Sri Lanka.
Folk tradition
This temple is believed to be about 700 years old and was known as the Abhayanandaramaya in the past (Rajapakse, 2016). According to folklore, a Brahmin who came with a sapling of Bodhi tree had visited the Pattini Devalaya shrine which is said to be at this place (Rajapakse, 2016). After worshipping the shrine, the Brahmin prepared to leave the place but he couldn't remove the Bodhi sapling from the ground where he placed it (Rajapakse, 2016). The grown Bodhi tree at the present Divurum Bodhi-malu Viharaya is believed to be that Bodhi sapling brought by the Brahmin (Rajapakse, 2016).
A few stone artefacts are found within the temple premises. of them, the Siri Pathul Gala, Mal Asana (the flower altar), and the stone called Divurumgala which is near the Bodhi tree are notable (Rajapakse, 2016). In the Sinhala language, Divurum Bodhiya means "the Bodhi of swearing". Therefore, it is said that this place was a venue recommended for swearing as a requirement subsequent to trials of suspects during the Kandyan Period (Abeyawardana, 2004). Deva Pathiraja, a minister of King Parakramabahu II (1236-1270 A.D.) of Dambadeniya is said to have visited this place to make a vow (Abeyawardana, 2004; Senanayaka, 2018). Relying on this folk tradition, people link the history of the Bodhi tree to a period dating back to the Dambadeniya Kingdom (Abeyawardana, 2004).
The two-storied Dharma Sala (the preaching hall) of the temple is said to be about 100 years old (Rajapakse, 2016).
See also
References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural,
cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.41.
2) Rajapakse, S., 2016. Pauranika Sthana Ha Smaraka: Mahanuwara Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. ISBN:955-9159-34-8. p.34.
3) Senanayaka, P., 2018. Senkadagala Mahanuwara pradeshaye peranima Bauddha Vihara Arama (In Sinhala). Samodhana, The Journal of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. Vol.7 (1). pp.55-83.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 9 June 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map