Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya

Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya, also known as Seruwawila Viharaya (Sinhala: සේරුවිල මංගල රජමහා විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Seruwawila in Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka. It remains on the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites (UNESCO) since 2006.

In about the 2nd century B.C., there was a provincial kingdom named Seru in Seruwawila. According to chronicles such as Dhatuvamsa, Prince Kavantissa of Ruhuna (205-161 B.C.) built a Stupa named Mangala Maha-cetiya there, by enshrining the frontal bone of the Buddha. The Stupa at the present Seruwila Viharaya is identified as the ancient Mangala Maha-cetiya (also known as Tissamaha-vehera) built by Kavantissa (Ranawella, 2005). However, the 10th-century "Seruwila rock inscription of Sirisangabo" which was discovered from the temple premises has referred to the monastery at the site as Kuratis Mahavehera (Ranawella, 2005). This epigraphical evidence, therefore, has raised some doubt regarding the true identity of this site (Ranawella, 2005).

Over the years, the Seruwila Stupa and the temple fell into decay due to the consequences of the Cola and Pandya invasions from South India (de Thabrew, 2013).

The ruined Seruwil Stupa and the temple were rediscovered in 1921 by a Buddhist monk named Ven. Dambagas-are Sri Sumedhankara (1892-1984). He, with the assistance of others, restored the Stupa and the temple (de Thabrew, 2013). The restoration work of the Stupa was completed with a pinnacle-placing ceremony held on 8 September 1930 (de Thabrew, 2013).

A few inscriptions belonging to the period between the 2nd century B.C. - 10th century A.D. have been found at the site (Dias, 1991; Paranavitana, 1970; Ranawella, 2005).

This cave inscription was copied by the Department of Archaeology in 1949.

Period: 2nd century B.C.               Script: Early Brahmi

Language: Old Sinhala

Transcript: Bata Gutaha lene caduke......

Translation: The cave of lord Gutta (is dedicated to the Sangha of) the (four quarters)

Citation: Dias, 1991.p.25.

 

Another two Early Brahmi Inscriptions belonging to the 2nd and 1st century B.C. have been discovered in the archaeological reserve at Seruwila (Dias, 1991).

Period: 10th century A.D.          Script: Medieval Sinhala          Language: Medieval Sinhala

Content: This fragmentary inscription says it is a boundary stone. It also mentions a monastery named Kuratis Maha-vahara and the names of two Buddhist monks.

References: Ranawella, 2005.

 

Besides inscriptions, the temple also comprises a large number of other monuments including the old entrance gates, image house, ruined monastery buildings, Chapter House, ponds, caves with primitive paintings, etc. 

 

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