Dedigama Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: දැදිගම රජ මහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Dedigama village in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. Dedigama Kota Vehera, a colossal Stupa built by King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) at
Dedigama is located about 180 m distance from the premises of this temple.
The temple
The temple is comparatively small and consists of several buildings and monuments such as the Bodhi tree, Vihara-ge, Dharma Sala (the preaching hall), and monks' dwellings. The Bodhi tree has been planted on a high terrace bounded by a parapet. In front of it is the preaching hall built-in 1912. According to Bell, the Vihara-ge of this temple has been built on stone piers (Bell, 1904).
Artifacts
A large number of stone artifacts are found scattered within the temple premises. Most of them are broken and apparently removed from their original locations. There is a stone sculpture of Vyagra but the head of it has been broken off at the neck.
Dedigama slab inscription of Bhuvanekabahu VI
Near to the Bodhi tree is a stone slab, 5 ft. by 1 ft. 7 in., inscribed on two sides with a Sinhala Gal-sannasa (Bell, 1904). It contains a grant of the amnesty given to the inhabitants of Hatara
Koralaya (Four Koralas), who had recently rebelled against the authority
of King Bhuvanekabahu VI (1470-1477 A.D.).
.
References
1) Bell, H.C.P., 1904. Report on the Kegalle District of the Province of
Sabaragamuwa. Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: XIX-1892. Government
Press, Sri Lanka. p.29.
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This page was last updated on 2 July 2023