Galmaduwa Raja Maha Vihara, Ampara Explained

Building Name:Galmaduwa Raja Maha Vihara
Native Name:ගල්මඩුව රජ මහා විහාරය
Location:Galmaduwa, Hingurana
Coordinates:7.2625°N 81.689°W
Country:Sri Lanka
Province:Eastern Province
District:Ampara
Heritage Designation:Archaeological protected monument (26 December 2014)
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:Buddhist Temple

Galmaduwa Raja Maha Vihara (Sinhala; Sinhalese: '''ගල්මඩුව රජ මහා විහාරය''') is an ancient Buddhist temple in Galmaduwa, Sri Lanka. The temple is located on Hingurana – Ampara road approximately 6km (04miles) distance from Hingurana. It is believed that this temple complex was constructed during the reign of king Saddha Tissa (137 BC – 119 BC). The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka. The designation was declared on 26 December 2014 under the government Gazette number 1895.[1]

The temple

With the beginning of the Gal Oya development programme, carried out around the Ampara region, the ruined temple complex at Galmaduwa was found out. After the discovery of the ruined site, the temple was re-established and developed as a modern Vihara complex. Due to that many buildings stand today at the temple are recent constructions but some of the ancient structures such as granite pillars, Sandakada pahana, Korawak gal, Chatra stones and foundations of buildings still can be seen within the premises.[2] The Dagoba of the ancient temple is almost in the dilapidated state, resembling only a small mount of earth.[3]

Notes and References

  1. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications. 26 December 2014. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 1895 . 1148.
  2. Web site: Galmaduwa Raja Maha Viharaya, Hingurana. Lanka Pradeepa. 29 November 2018. 9 October 2021.
  3. Web site: Galmaduwa Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site at Hingurana – හිඟුරාන ගල්මඩුව රජමහා විහාරය පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය. amazinglanka. 31 August 2017.