Kinihirikanda Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: කිණිහිරිකන්ද රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Medawewa near Kekirawa in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.
History
Locals attribute the establishment of this temple to King Valagamba (103, 88-77 B.C.). Inscriptions and other archaeological evidence discovered at the site indicate that this monastery dates back to the early Anuradhapura Period. A pillar inscription which was discovered on this premises records a decree issued by King Udaya II (887-898 A.D.) of Anuradhapura and it registers certain immunities granted in respect of a village named Ud-tambagamuwa (Ranawella, 2001). The temple underwent a major renovation during the 17-18 centuries, probably during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1781 A.D.) of Kandy (Ranawella, 2001).
Kinihirikanda is a rock and the temple is located at its eastern foot. The monastery comprises an image house having an 18-cubit reclining Buddha statue and some paintings similar to the lesser tradition of Kandyan art.
A protected site
The drip-ledged caves and stones with the Sacred Footprint at Kinihiri Kanda Raja Maha Vihara, situated within the Grama Niladhari Division No. 633- Medawewa in Kekirawa Divisional Secretary Division are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government notification published on 23 January 2009.
References
1) Ranawella, S., 2001. Inscription of Ceylon. Volume V, Part I. Department of Archaeology. ISBN: 955-9159-21-6. pp.144-146.
2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1586. 23 January 2009. p.110.
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This page was last updated on 21 June 2023