Bentota Wanawasa Viharaya Not to be confused with Tangalle Wanawasa Viharaya Wanawasa Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: බෙන්තොට යාත්රාමුල්ල වනවාස රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated on the verge of the Bentota Ganga River in Yathramulla village in Galle District, Sri Lanka. History According to locals, the history of this temple runs back to the early Anuradhapura Period probably to the time of King Devanampiyatissa [(247-207 B.C.) Ranchagoda, 2015]. It is believed that this temple received the patronage of royals during the reign of King Saddhatissa (137- 119 B.C.) and at the time it served as a Tapovanaya for Arhats of Bemtota Maha Viharaya (Ranchagoda, 2015). Although presently function as separate temples, the four Viharas; Galapatha , Bodhimaluwa , Bem Vehera and Udakotuwa Bodhi Sameepa which are situated in the vicinity of Wanawasa Viharaya are said to have formed one major Buddhist monastery named Bemtota Maha Viharaya during the ancient period. Wanawasa Viharaya is said to have been developed during the…
