Purana Wanawasa Kuda Viharaya, Tangalle: ancient temple with historic stupa, Bodhi sapling, and link to monk Wehelle Dhammadinna Thera.
Purana Wanawasa Kuda Viharaya Not to be confused with Wanawasa Viharaya, Bentota P urana Wanawasa Kuda Viharaya (Sinhala: තංගල්ල පුරාණ වනවාස කුඩා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple in Polommaruwa village near Tangalle in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. History The Sinhalese poem Kahakurulu Sandeshaya (message of Black-hooded oriole) written by Dikwelle Samanera during the reign of King Vira Parakramabahu VIII (1490-1509 A.D.) of Kotte mentions that the Stupa known as Polommaru Vehera at Wanawasa Viharaya was constructed by a ruler named Minikirulu (Vanarathana, 1994). It further records that the Kone tree ( Schleichera oleosa ) at this temple was the tree where the bird spent the first night of its journey to Kataragama. This tree is still growing within the temple premises. The name of this temple is mentioned in Mahabodhivamsa as one of the 32 places where the saplings of Sri Maha Bodhi Tree at Anuradhapura were planted (Vanarathana, 1994). Famous Buddhist monk Wehelle Dhammadinna Thera (1679-1775 A.D.) is said to have lived…
