Hathagala Purana Tampita Viharaya

Hathagala Purana Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient temple in the Southern province lying between Hungama and Nonagama along the Matara – Hambantota road. Today this temple is also a pirivena providing education to Buddhist monks.

Much of the history of this temple is lost in time, but the temple has received royal patronage from King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781) of the Kandyan kingdom. The Tampita Viharaya in the temple has been built by Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe and a large bronze statue of Buddha gifted by the king is still in possession of the temple.

A Tampita Viharaya is a structure built on a wooden platform that rests on a number of stone stumps usually 3-4 feet tall. The roof is held by a structure built of timber and the walls are generally made of wattle and daub and the inner walls are generally covered with frescoes drawn mainly in Kandyan style.

To reach the temple, travel 1.5 km from Hungama junction towards Hambantota to reach Deniya junction. Take the left turn and travel 350 meters to reach the temple.

Faiza Latif

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