Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya
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| Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya | |
|---|---|
සිතුල්පව්ව රජ මහා විහාරය | |
 Sithulpawwa Stupa on top of the rock. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| District | Hambantota |
| Province | Southern Province |
| Location | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Geographic coordinates | 6°23′13″N 81°26′59″E / 6.38694°N 81.44972°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna |
| Completed | Around 2nd century BC |
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.[1] Sithulpawwa Vihara can be reached by travelling 18 miles along the Tissamaharama-Yodhakandiya road towards the Yala National Park. The name Sithulpawwa is derived from the word "Chiththala Pabbatha", which means "the hill of the quiet mind".[1]
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, Circular Relic Houses are spread throughout the monastery premises. The present chief incumbent of Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Vihara is Ven. Metaramba Hemarathana Nayake Thera.[2] 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.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya – සිතුල්පව්ව රජමහා විහාරය". Amazing Lanka. January 15, 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "President worships Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Vihara". NEWS.LK. Retrieved 12 September 2014.