Photo credit: Udaya Gunathilaka, Google Street View
Lenawara Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple situated in Haltota in Kalutara District, Sri Lanka.
History
According to local beliefs, the history of this temple runs back to the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (247-207 B.C.). It is said that a Brahmin who came over to the country during the days of this king, had taken up residence close to this temple (Abeyawardana, 2002). Locals further believe that he handed down a traditional method to treat catarrh and presently, Lenawara temple is famous among the people as a place of treating catarrh (Abeyawardana, 2002).
During the reign of King Parakramabahu VI (1412-1467 A.D.) this temple had become a prominent religious place (Abeyawardana, 2002). The Pepiliyana Sunetradevi Pirivena slab inscription of Parakramabahu VI records grants made to Lenavara cave temple of Raigama (Abeyawardana, 2002; Rohanadeera, 2007).
The temple
The temple consists of a Stupa, a cave temple, a Visnu Devalaya, a Bodhi tree and other monastic buildings. The cave temple, Stupa and the Bodhi tree are located at different levels. A large reclining statue of the Buddha is found inside the cave temple (Abeyawardana, 2002).References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2002. Heritage of Sabaragamuwa: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Sabaragamuwa Development Bank and The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-575-077-7. p.115.
2) Rohanadeera, M., 2007. Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: Inscriptions of
Ceylon. (Vol. VIII). Department of Archaeology. ISBN:
978-955-91-59-64-3. pp.40-42.
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