Padikemgala Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: පඩිකෙම්ගල රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Suriyawewa near Mahagalwewa Reservoir in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka.
History
This temple is believed to have been built during the reign of Mahanaga, the brother of King Devenampiyatissa [(247-207 B.C.) Abeyawardana, 2004].
The ruins
Padikemgala is considered the largest monastery found outside the ancient capital Tissamaharama (Abeyawardana, 2004). The remaining monastic ruins at the site indicate that it was probably a temple of the Pabbatarama style. The Pathimaghara (image house), Uposathaghara (chapter house) and Bodhighara (Bo tree house) are the main ruined structures that have been identified on the premises. Of them, the ornate Bodhighara is the only octagonal-shaped one found so far in the country (Abeyawardana, 2004). The Bodhi tree that was growing here probably had been planted in a special Patra (bowl).
References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Ruhuna: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-575-073-4. pp.107-108.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 27 January 2023
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