Watarakgoda Raja Maha Viharaya, also known as Watarakgoda Pussadeva Viharaya (Sinhala: වටරක්ගොඩ ඵුස්සදේව විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Wathumulla village in Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka.
History
As per local belief, this temple has been constructed by Prince Dutugemunu [(reigned: 161-137 B.C.) Abeyawardana, 2004]. Arhat Pussadeva Thera who was one of the ten paladins of King Dutugemunu is said to have resided here (Abeyawardana, 2004). The temple is referred to in Pali writings as Katthakandara Viharaya and the Sinhala literary work "Sangasarana" has a reference to this temple (Abeyawardana, 2004).
The temple
The temple comprises a Stupa, Bodhi tree, preaching hall and monks' residences. Some of the artefacts such as gold coins and Buddha images that were unearthed from this site have been re-enshrined in the Stupa of the temple (Abeyawardana, 2004). Several ancient stone pillars are found scattered within the temple premises.
A protected site
The Stupa situated in Vatarakgoda Vihara premises in Wathumulla village in Walapane Divisional Secretary’s Division is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government notification published on 8 September 1967.
References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.255.
2) The government gazette notification. No: 14765 8 September 1967.
2) The government gazette notification. No: 14765 8 September 1967.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 12 April 2023
