Naigala Raja Maha Vihara

Naigala Rajamaha Viharaya (Sinhala: නයිගල රජ මහා විහාරය) is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Weeraketiya,[1] Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. It is located about 2 km (1.2 mi) away from Weeraketiya junction and 8 km (5.0 mi) from ancient Buddhist temple, Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara.

Naigala Raja Maha Viharaya
නයිගල රජ මහා විහාරය
Religion
Affiliation	Buddhism
District	Hambantota
Province	Southern Province
Location
Location	Weeraketiya , Sri Lanka
Country	Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates	6.148406°N 80.784767°E
Architecture
Type	Buddhist Temple
Founder	King Gotabhaya and Mahananga

This temple has been built according to the Pabbata Vihara system and it is considered that the Naigala Raja Maha Viharaya was one of the rare sites in Ruhuna Kingdom with Panchayathana features and seven Stupas.[2] Due to its historical importance, this temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka.[3] The designation was declared on 22 April 1966 under the government Gazette number 14692.[4]

History

Image house, which belongs to Anuradhapura era

It is believed that this temple was built by the Kings Gotabhaya and Mahananga. According to inscriptions found in the vihara premises, this temple was called as Kala Pabbatha Vihara. The Bodhi tree of Naigala Rajamaha Viharaya is believed to be one of saplings of the Sri Maha Bodhi and was planted by arahant.[5]

A folklore, which connect with King Mahanaga describes a story about the formation of the name of this temple. According to that in the period of King Devanapathisa, Mahanaga came to this area and built a palace in Mandaduwata. In that times a big drought came and caused to make tanks, streams dried up. One day a big snake came in front of the king and brought him to a large rock, where king saw a pond filled with water. After that incident this area was called as Naya Penvu Gala (The rock, showed by the snake) and then named as Naigala.[5]

Ruins

Circular shaped stone hollow

A number of archeological monuments and ruins were discovered in this temple after excavations, done by the Archaeological Department in 2009. Many of ruins including Stupas, walls, Boodhigaras and ponds can be seen at the vihara premises.[6] Also there is a specific circular stone with a hollow can be seen at temple and it is believed that this was used to hide the tooth relic of Buddha inside it, by Queen Sugala to protect the it from enemies. In 2013, archaeologists found ruins of a two-story image house on the temple premises, which belongs to the Anuradhapura period.[7]

Vihara inscriptions

Kasagala rock inscription 1

Period: 3rd-4th centuries AD, Script: Later Brahmi, Language: Old Sinhala
Content: "Donated Kahavanu for the festival of Ariyavansa to Kalapavata (Kala Parvata) monastery. The inscription is damaged and more complete reading is not possible"

Kasagala rock inscription 2

Period: 4th-5th centuries AD, Script: Later Brahmi, Language: Old Sinhala
Content: "The slaves of kalapavata (Kala Parvata) temple were freed from compulsory service by monk of Mahawaka who donated one hundred Kahavanu coins. The merit of this action was to be shared by all beings"

References

1. "Spiritually developed younger generation great asset to country - President". Ministry of Mass Media. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
2. "Two-storeyed A'pura Period image house found in South". island.lk. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
3. "Protercted Monument List 2012-12-12" (PDF). Department of Archaeology. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
4. "Gazette". The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 14692. 22 April 1966.
5. "Naigala Rajamaha Viharaya". gloriousbygone.com. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
6. "Archaeology management plan for Naigala Viharaya". dailynews.lk. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
7. "Ruins of two-storey image house belonging to Anuradhapura era discovered". therepublicsquare.com. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2015.