Menik Raja Maha Viharaya
Photo credit: Google Street View Menik Raja Maha Viharaya , also known as Menik Vehera (Sinhala: මැණික් රජ මහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Debarawewa in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. History The ancient name of Menik Viharaya is not known (Nicholas, 1963). A few inscriptions discovered from this site reveal the historical continuity of the ancient monastery through the ages (Paranavitana, 2001; Somadeva, 2006). A fragmentary slab inscription of the 2nd century A.D. and a 7-8th century A.D. octagonal pillar inscription have been found on the temple premises (Nicholas, 1963; Somadeva, 2006). Restoration of the ruined temple In 1882, the land of this ruined temple was handed over to a Buddhist monk named Angella Sri Jinaratana Thera by the then British Governor James Robert Longden [(1877-1883 A.D.) Abeyawardana, 2004]. The restoration work of the Stupa was carried out under the direction of this monk. Monuments Stupa The large brick-Stupa is the central monument of the temple. Ac…
