- Area: Sri Lanka
- Type: Attractions
- Group: 3rd Century BC Buddhism Viharaya
Debarawewa Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya is situated on the bank of Kirindi Oya, by the side of the Weerawila-Deberawewa main road. The construction of this temple is attributed to King Mahanaga of the 3rd century BC. This was an important temple, very near the capital city of Ruhuna, which went into obscurity with the change of the capital during the 12th century.
The area was colonized in the 20th century and the ancient stupa at this temple was renovated. The pillars left at this temple are all that remain to indicate the structures, which were there for religious purposes. A statue of the Buddha carved out of limestone is and is kept in a temporary shelter.
This Buddha statue is in the standing posture and its maximum height is 2.6 meters with the pedestal. It is made out of limestone (Somadeva, 2006). The iconography of this statue depicts the Andra style and can be dated to the eighth century CE (Schroder, 1990). Statue bases, pillar bases, and flower altars made of stone are found at this temple.
However, this image could be the statue discovered within Pilimayaya Pilimagala Kanda ruins inside the Yala National Park which is reported as being moved to Paschiramaya (De Silva, n.d).
Map
