Balapokuna Raja Maha Vihara

Balapokuna Raja Maha Vihara (Sinhala: බලපොකුණ රජ මහා විහාරය) is a historic Buddhist temple situated in Pamankada, Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is located near the 6th-mile post junction on Colombo-Batticaloa main road. The temple has been formally recognized by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka. The designation was declared on 6 June 2008 under the government Gazette number 1553.

Pic by Thilina Bandara
Pic by Udara Ranaweera
Pic by Samagra w
Pic by K A Upul Chandana
Pic by Thilina Bandara
Pic by Udara Ranaweera
Pic by dhananjaya palandagamage
Pic by K A Upul Chandana
Pic by K A Upul Chandana

Balapokuna
Balapokuna Vihara got its name because of the Balapokuna, a natural pond located on a rock surface in the Vihara premises. In the early periods, the pond was called “Batapokuna” and the name had been derived from the Sinhalese word “Bata” which means soldiers. During the reign of King Parakramabahu VI the water from the pond had been used by his soldiers and later the name Batapokuna gradually evolved to its present name Balapokuna.

According to popular legend, Balapokuna is an exit point to the ancient tunnel which runs from Kotte, the others being at the Kotte Ananda Shastralaya and the Pita Kotte Gal Ambalama.

Map

  • Reference ID: 37142 | Posted: June 14, 2023 | Last Update: June 14th, 2023
  • Affiliation: Buddhism
  • Tags/Group: Buddhism, Viharaya
  • Location: Sri Lanka > Western > Colombo
  • Credits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balapokuna_Raja_Maha_Vihara
    • Faiza Latif

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