Bodhimalu Viharaya is a Buddhist temple situated on the bank of Bentota River in Bodhimalu village. Its history runs back to the Anuradhapura Period.
Bentota Bodhimalu Viharaya Not to be confused with Raluwa Bodhimalu Viharaya B odhimalu Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: බෙන්තොට බෝධිමළු රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated on the verge of the Bentota Ganga River in Bodhimalu village in Galle District, Sri Lanka. History According to locals, the history of this site runs back to the early Anuradhapura Period probably to the time of King Devanampiyatissa [(247-207 B.C.) Ranchagoda, 2015]. It is believed that the present Bodhimalu Viharaya stands on the site where the Bodhi tree of the ancient Bemtota Maha Viharaya was once located (Ranchagoda, 2015). Although presently function as separate temples, the four Viharas; Galapatha , Bem Vehera , Wanawasa and Udakotuwa Bodhi Sameepa which are situated in the vicinity of Bodhimalu Viharaya are said to have formed one major Buddhist monastery named Bemtota Maha Viharaya during the ancient period. Bodhimalu Viharaya is said to have been developed during the reign of King Saddhatissa (137- 119 B.C.) and the name Bodhimalu Vi…
