Kahandawa Purana Viharaya: 18th-century Buddhist temple, built for Sitinamaluwe Dhammajothi Thera, with Kandyan art, and protected monument.
Kahandawa Purana Viharaya (Ranna) Not to be confused with Kahandawa Raja Maha Viharaya (Ranna) K ahandawa Purana Viharaya (Sinhala: රන්න කහඳාව පුරාණ විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated on the wayside of Tangalle-Ambalantota road near Rekawa junction in Ranna village in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. History This temple was constructed in the 18th century by Kahandawe Senarath Seneviratna Mudiyanse for the usage of the erudite Buddhist monk Sitinamaluwe Dhammajothi Thera (Vanarathana, 1994). Dhammajothi Thera spent the latter part of his life at this temple (Vanarathana, 1994). Wehelle Dhammadinna Thera (1679-1775 A.D.), another erudite Buddhist monk is also said to have dwelled at this temple. Paintings and sculptures following the Kandyan art tradition are found in the Buddha shrine of this temple. The modern Stupa was constructed at the site in 2009.
A Protected Site
The ancient Buddha shrine within the precincts of Ranna Kahandawa Purana Vihara situated in the Tangalle Divisional Secretary Division is an archaeologi…
