Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya (Yala)

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya (Yala)

S ithulpawwa Viharaya (Sinhala: සිතුල්පව්ව විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in the Ruhuna National Park in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. History Sithulpawwa Viharaya is identified as the ancient Cittalapabbata Vihara that is mentioned in local chronicles and commentaries (Abeyawardana, 2004; Dias, 2001; Nicholas, 1963; Paranavitana, 1983). This is confirmed by an inscription on the temple premises which records the ancient name of this temple as Citalapavata Vihara (Nicholas, 1963). According to the chronicle Mahavamsa, Kavantissa, the ruler of Rohana early in the 2nd century B.C. established the temple at Cittalapabbata and provided the four requisites to the monks (Abeyawardana, 2004; Dias, 2001; Nicholas, 1963). The Stupa at Maha Situlpawwa Rock is believed to have been constructed by Kavantissa (Abeyawardana, 2004). Phussadeva, Nandhimitta, and Velusumana, three of the ten paladins of King Dutugemunu (161-137 A.D.) have their links to this temple. Phussadeva is said to have com…