Weherahena Temple is situated on the east side of Matara. The temple has no special historical significance but the tale of the temple is quite fascinating. The temple is mentioned to be the largest and the first tunnel temple in the world that makes the temple to stand out.
About the Weherahena Temple
It is said this temple was adobe to arhath bikkus back in the past, somehow the legend of the temple starts during the early part of the 20th centaury. It is said Parawahera Rewatha Thero was sent to Weherahena area in the past as a punishment by his teacher.
The legend behind Weherahena Temple
Weherahena Temple was an area of 1/2 acre of Jungle with only a Bodhi Tree. It is mentioned in the past that Revatha Thero came only with a blanket, mattress, and the bowl.
He managed to get the villagers organized and built a small clay house for himself. But he later thought of an idea of building the largest buddha statue in the world. Later he planned of building a tunnel temple as in ummaga jathaka story.
Reaching the destination
From Colombo
Go on McCallum Road and turn left at Ibbanwala onto Dr. Colvin R de Silva Mawatha. Turn right onto Kynsey Road and turn left onto Dudley Senanayake Mawatha. Turn right onto Athurugiriya Road and merge to the Southern Expressway. Exit from the Akuressa exit and turn left onto Akuressa Road. Turn left onto Old Tangalle Road and turn left onto Weherahena Road to reach your destination.
From Matara
Go on Weragampita Cross Road and turn right onto Sri Dharmarathna Mawatha. Turn left onto Old Tangalle Road and turn left onto Weherahena Road to reach your destination.
