Kiriella Nedun Rajamaha Viharaya

Kiriella Nedun Rajamaha Viharaya

Kiriella Nedun Rajamaha Viharaya is situated in Rathnapura in Sri Lanka. It goes back to the era of King Rajasinghe I who was a very strong king during the Seethaka Kingdom time.

About the destination

Kiriella Nedun Rajamaha Viharaya is a very beautiful and unique temple. It consists of a long pair of tusks which is believed to be the longest in Asia and some people believe that they belong to the Kadol Ethta which used to be the royal elephant of King Dutugemunu during his time. This temple was previously known as Kiriella Viharaya.

History of Kiriella Nedun Rajamaha Viharaya

King Rajasinghe who ruled Sitawaka killed his father Mayadunne and sought refuge from Buddhist monks but they were unable to bring him peace. A Hindu priest promised him that he will conduct a puja that will cleanse his sin thus the King became a Hindu himself and also despised Buddhism. He then killed many people who wouldn’t convert themselves to Hinduism and his supporters destroyed many Buddhist temples. Kiriella Nedun Rajamaha Viharaya too was one of them. A monk named Karandana Devarakkhita Thero was given an 8305-acre land and he rebuilt the temple with a Tampita Image house. Thus the temple which was known as Kiriella Viharaya became Kiriella Nedun Rajamaha Viharaya.

Reaching the destination

From Colombo

Go on McCallum Road and turn right onto Kynsey Road. Turn left onto Avissawella Road and merge onto Southern Expressway. Take the Panadura and turn right onto Horana Road. Turn left onto Kiriella-Nadurana-Eheliyagoda Road to reach your destination.

From Rathnapura

Go on Weralupa Road and then turn left onto Colombo-Batticaloa highway. Then turn right onto Panadura-Nambapana-Ratnapura Highway and turn right onto Kiriella-Nadurana-Eheliyagoda road to reach your destination.