Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya.

Muthiyangana Stupaya

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the middle of Badulla town in the Badulla District of Uva Province in Sri Lanka.

Being one of the most venerated religious places it is believed that the sacred jaw-bone is placed in the Stupa. Lord Buddha had arrived to Sri Lanka three times after his Enlightenment. Muthiyangana is one of those 3 destinations. At that time there were 3 major tribes in Sri lanka called Deva, Naga and Yaksha. Lord Buddha was invited to visit Badulla by the King of Deva tribes Indaka.

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya - Makara Thorana

Legends say that the Stupa is contained of Buddha’s Sacred hair and Mukthaka Dathu (few drops of sweat which had turned in to pearls ) . By the time Muthiyangana Vihara was built on the destination and a Dagoba was built around the spot where Buddha gave his sermon, that is how it was built in the 4th century. The Muthiyangana Stupa is about 65 feet in height and a diameter of 270 feet.

There were 7 Bo trees in the temple premise. By the way they have been moved or vanished. So you will be able to find just 4 of them. They are named Maliyadeva (last arahant who arrived to Sri lanka), Ananda Bodi and the last one was planted by King Devanam Piyatissa as a nascent of Jaya Sri maha Bodhi.

In addition to the history of the temple you will find a beautiful Makara Thorana (Dragon Pandol) at the entrance to the Maha Viharaya. Further you can see 2 image houses in the area. Lastly the area was renovated in 1956. Therefore maintaining the Dagoba and image houses have become difficult.

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya

See also

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara