Pelenda Galkanu Godella Viharaya

The Bodhi tree (Photo credit: Google street view)

Pelenda Galkanu Godella Raja Maha Viharaya (also known as Palinda Nuwara Veediya Bandara Purana Viharaya) is a Buddhist temple situated in Pelenda village in Kalutara District, Sri Lanka.

History

The chronicle Mahavamsa states that Parakramabahu who later ascended the throne the country as King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) cultivated in Palinda Nuwara of Pasyodun Rata (ancient Pancayojana-Rattha or Pasyodun-vaga) when he was the regional ruler of Dakkhinadesa. It further says that Parakramabahu mustered forces in this area during his war against Manabharana of Ruhuna. 

 

Veediya Bandara who fled with his wife Samudradevi to Pelenda gathered troops, produced weapons and led wars against the Portuguese in the 16th century A.D. (Abeyawardana, 2002; Pieris, 1992). The ruins which are found scattered in the present temple premises is believed to be the remains of the constructions by Veediya Bandara.

A protected site

The ruins of the palace of Veediya Bandara scattered in Imbulgahawatte, Godellawatte and Pitkattiya land in the Grama Niladhari Division of Pelenda, in Agalawatta Divisional Secretary’s Division are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government gazette notification published on 16 July 1948.

 

References

1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2002. Heritage of Sabaragamuwa: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Sabaragamuwa Development Bank and The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-575-077-7. p.111.

2) Pieris, P.E., 1992. Ceylon the Portuguese Era; Being a History of Island for the Period 1505-1658, Volume I. Dehiwala: Tisara Prakasakayo Ltd. pp.132-135.

3) The government gazette notification. No: 9886. 16 July 1948.

 

Location Map

This page was last updated on 12 February 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map