Bambawa Viharaya (Photo credit: MSRB Travel & Gadgets Video Production, Google Street View)
Bambawa Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: බම්බාව රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Galewela in Matale District, Sri Lanka.
History
Locals link this site with the birthplace of Kuweni, the first wife of King Vijaya [(c. 543-505 B.C.) Withanachchi, 2018]. According to them, the area in which the temple is situated was ruled by the Yakka King Bamba, the farther of Kuweni (Abeyawardana, 2004; Withanachchi, 2018).
King Valagamba (103, 89-77 B.C.) is credited with the construction of the Bambawa temple (Abeyawardana, 2004; Withanachchi, 2018). After that, the temple received the patronage of several kings such as Bhatiya and Kirti Sri Rajasinghe [(1747-1782 A.D.) Abeyawardana, 2004; Withanachchi, 2018].
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References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.166.
2) 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.23.
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This page was last updated on 11 June 2023