Keselhenawa Raja Maha Viharaya
Keselhenawa slab inscription (Photo credit: Google Street View) Keselhenawa Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: කෙසෙල්හේනාව රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Keselhenava village in Kalutara District, Sri Lanka. History
Locals link the history of this temple to Deva Pathiraja, a minister of King Parakramabahu II (1236-1270 A.D.). It is said that Deva Pathiraja built a bridge 100 staves (750 feet) in length at Kadalisenagama or Kelsenava [(modern Keselhenawa) Nicholas, 1963]. The stone-cut Samadhi Buddha statue in the temple image house is believed to be a work of the time of Parakramabahu II. However, this statue is presently covered by cement plaster. It is also believed that this temple stands on the land where the abode of
Weerasingha Pathiraja, a minister of Parakramabahu II was located. A few artefacts which are supposed to be used by Weerasingha Pathiraja have been unearthed from this site. A flag representing Raigampura is said to have been found in the repository of thi…
