Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya

Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in Hambantota District, South Eastern Sri Lanka. Situated 18 km east of the pilgrimage town Katharagama, it is believed to have been built in the 2nd century B.C. by King Kavantissa. Sithulpawwa Vihara can be reached by traveling 18 miles along the Tissamaharama-Yodhakandiya road towards the Yala National Park. The name is Sithulpawwa is derived from the word “Chiththala Pabbatha”, which means “the hill of the quiet mind”.

Pic by Nimesh Madushan
Pic by Nuwan Wickramasinghe
Pic by Alex Ignatov
Pic by Manura Gajanayake
Pic by Pirahalaathan .G
Pic by Ruwan Tharanga
Pic by lahiru sampath
Pic by Kumara Liyanage
Pic by Thushara Mathota

This monastery was a place of worship for devotees as well as a center of Buddhist education for Buddhist monks. Paintings of the Anuradhapura era and the ruins of stone Buddha images, Bodhisattva images, Image Houses, and Circular Relic Houses are spread throughout the monastery premises. The present chief incumbent of Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Vihara is Ven. Metaramba Hemarathana Nayake Thera. King Gajabahu placed a stone inscription where it states that the tax received from the court must be paid to the monks of this monastery.

Map

  • Reference ID: 36850 | Posted: June 3, 2023 | Last Update: June 3rd, 2023
  • Date/Era: 2nd century B.C
  • Affiliation: Buddhism
  • Tags/Group: 2nd century B.C, Buddhism, Viharaya
  • Location: Sri Lanka > Southern > Hambantota
  • Credits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sithulpawwa_Rajamaha_Viharaya
    • Faiza Latif

    - more..