Awariyapathaha Raja Maha Viharaya, ancient Shailabimbaramaya (Sinhala: ඇවරියපතහ රජමහා විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Tholambugolla village near Galewela in Matale District, Sri Lanka.
History
Locals link the history of this temple to the reign of King Valagamba (103, 88-77 B.C.) of Anuradhapura (Withanachchi, 2018). Ruins of an ancient Stupa, three drip-ledged cave temples and an inscription running into several lines have been discovered on the Vihara premises (Abeywardana, 2004; Withanachchi, 2018). The image house of the temple contains murals of the Kandyan Period (Withanachchi, 2018).
A protected site
The ancient Buddha shrine, the drip-ledged caves, pillar bases, rock inscription, ancient Chaitya and the entrance steps at Awariyapathaha Raja Maha Vihara, situated within the Grama Niladhari Division of Walaswewa in the Galewela Divisional Secretary’s Division are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government notification published on 23 January 2009.
References
1) Abeywardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.169.
2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1586. 23 January 2009. p.109.
3) Withanachchi, C.R., 2018. Madyama palate Rajamaha Viharasthana (In Sinhala). Report on the ancient Buddhist temples in the Central Province of Sri Lanka which were royally sponsored during the Kandy period. p.23.
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This page was last updated on 18 June 2023
