Lenawara Raja Maha Viharaya, Haltota Not to be confused with Lenawara Raja Maha Viharaya, Akarawita 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 te…
