Rajamaha Kohon Viharaya (Sinhala: රජමහා කොහොන් විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Halangoda village in Matale District, Sri Lanka.
History
Kohon Viharaya is believed to be the temple donated to Arhat Tissa Thera by Maha Naga, the brother of King Devanampiyatissa [(247-207 B.C.) Abeyawardana, 2004]. It is said that Arhat Kohontissa was the incumbent of this temple when writing down the scriptures on Ola-leaf books at Matale Alu Viharaya (Abeyawardana, 2004). After the completion of the writing of the scriptures, a procession carrying lamps proceeded to Alu Viharaya from this temple to commemorate that event (Abeyawardana, 2004).
This temple was an important religious place during the 15th century as its name is mentioned in the ancient text Nampotha (Withanachchi, 2018). King Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha (1781-1798 A.D.) is said to have bestowed some lands to this temple for its maintenance works (Abeyawardana, 2004).
Inscriptions
A 19th-century rock inscription has been discovered on a rock located about 20 yards to the west of the temple (Dias, 1991). It was copied by the Department of Archaeology on 25 October 1971 (Dias, 1991).
Kohon Raja Maha Vihara rock inscription
Period: 19th century A.D. Script: Modern Sinhala Language: Modern Sinhala
Content:
The inscription contains details about a donation of some lands to the temple (Kohon Viharaya) by a person. While expecting the Buddhahood, the author of this inscription has shared his meritorious work firstly with Royalty and secondly with all others.
Reference: Dias, 1991.
References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural,
cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. pp.129-130.
2) Dias, M., 1991. Epigraphical notes (Nos 1 -18). Colombo: Department of Archaeology. pp.59,61.
3) Withanachchi, C.R., 2018. Madyama palate Rajamaha Viharasthana (In Sinhala). Report on the ancient Buddhist temples in the Central Province of Sri Lanka which were royally sponsored during the Kandy period. p.22.
Attribution
#) LankaPradeepa.com extends its gratitude to Ven. Ankumbure Chandananda Thero for providing the necessary photographs required for this article. All the photos are published here with the permission of the author.