Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya (Dhowa Rock Temple)

Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya (Dhowa Rock Temple)

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Description

Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya

Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya lies on the Badulla-Bandarawela road. The temple is quite famous because of its 38 feet Buddha statue which is carved in the granite rock. It has been built King Walagamba while he was taking refuge in the Uva province after an Indian invasion.

About the destination

Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya has been built in the 1st century BC by King Walagamba. It is one of the mysterious and legendary temples in the hill country. It also consists of a very unique sculpture named Mahayana which tells an interesting story of the previous lives lived by Lord Buddha. There is also an uncompleted image of Buddha that is slowly breaking away.

Details of the destination

There are a small stupa and a cave functions as a stupaghara for the stupa. There is also a tunnel behind this cave which is guarded by a figure of Clay King Cobras. The tunnel is 11-kilo meters long and it has been cemented off due to the evil acts of treasure hunters. This tunnel used to connect the Ravana Maha Viharaya at Ella and the Bogoda Raja Maha viharaya.

There is also an image house and it has colorful Buddha statues and consists of 3 chambers. There are two guardians named as Watuka and Kuvera at the entrance. In the second chamber, there is a stunning Makara Thorana and a row of Buddha images along with paintings. There are a wooden door and two reclining Buddha statues in the entrance to the 3rd chamber. On a higher elevation is a Bo tree and a small pond surrounding a rock which has a natural water sprout and water keeps continuously flowing.

Reaching the destination

From Colombo

You have to take Colombo – Katunayake Expressway. Then take the Southern Expressway. Follow Colombo – Galle – Hambantota – Wellawaya Highway, Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway, and drive to your destination in Uva Province.

From Badulla

Head southwest toward Keppetipola Road. Turn left at Private Transfers in Ella and drive onto Bandarawela Road. Turn right at Municipal Council Badulla onto Hunukotuwa Road. Turn left at Dental Clinic onto Bandarawela Road and drive to your destination.

Image Courtesy of : Onal Karunaratne