The Bodhi tree at Weboda Raja Maha Viharaya (Photo credit: Susandika Prabodha, Google Street View)
Weboda Purana Gallen Raja Maha Viharaya, also known as Gale Pansala (Sinhala: වෑබඩ පුරාණ ගල්ලෙන් රජමහා විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Webada village in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.
History
According to popular folklore, the history of this temple runs back to the time of King Valagamba (103, 88-77 B.C.). It is said that the caves of this place were the abodes of Valagamba during the time he was in hiding from the South Indian invaders who were ruling the Anuradhapura Kingdom. The temple village is mentioned in several old poetries such as Mayura Sandeshaya (14th century) and Hamsa Sandeshaya (15th century).
The site
The temple consists of a Stupa, a Bodhi tree, two image houses, a natural pond and a monks' dwelling. The site is also known among devotees as Punchi Sri Padaya (little Sri Pada) as there is a carved Siri Pathula (the footprint of the Buddha) on the top of the rock where the upper image house is constructed. It is said that this Siri Pathula was probably built during the Kandyan Period or sometime after that.
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This page was last updated on 11 June 2023
