Dewanagala Raja Maha Viharaya

Dewanagala Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist Temple of great historical value located in the Aranayake area in the Kegalle District of the Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka and also, this Temple is situated on top of the Dewanagala rock which is 1089 feet above sea level. It is believed that this was built by King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) during the Polonnaruwa period and also believed that it was created by King Wattagamini Abhaya, better known as King Walagamba (89-77 BC) who ruled during the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

How did Dewanagala get its name? 👀

According to the folklore, this place has different stories about how Dewanagala got its name.

- This sacred place was named Dewanagala as the God of Aluthnuwara (God Dedimunda) came to Dewanagala after the Higule Kirungalpaya.

- This place is called Dewanagala on the ground that it is second to Bathalegala.

One of the inscriptions on the top of the rock states that King Parakramabahu(I) had donated this Dewanagala land to the commander of his army named Kirthi Nuwaragala (Kith Nuwara Gal), who had invaded Burma and captured Kusumiyapura.

The full translation of this inscription is found on the publication “Lakdiva Sellipi” by Kothmale Amaravansha Thero published by M. D. Gunasena in 1969. Dewanagala is Known as the “Parana Nuwara” in the ancient name book.

Dewanagala receives the patronage of King Wimaladharmasooriya(I) (1592 – 1604) of the Kandyan Kingdom. The second inscription states that king Wimaladharmasooriya made many donations to this sacred place on behalf of Ven. Rathanalankara Thero helped a lot for Kingship. It is said that the Dagoba, Bomaluwa, and the Pond were built by King Wimaladharmasooriya. The Kandyan period is considered the golden era here.

There is a Tampita Viharaya built during the Kandyan Kingdom and today a new building has been constructed around it. The Tampita Viharaya has an elaborate dragon’s arch (Makara Thorana) and a seated Buddha statue beneath it. Two statues of deities stand beside seated Buddha and there are also two-seated Buddha statues next to the God statues and more two seated Buddha statues facing each other.

The Mahavamsa mentions a temple built by King Dhathusena in the Dhasen Pavuva during the Anuradhapura period. It is said that Dewanagala was known as Dhasen Pawwa at that time which is also named as Kithsen Pawwa and Duniyasela Viharaya.

Tampita Viharaya

At the top of the Dewanagala, you can see beautiful paddy fields, peaks as well as beautiful views of Alagalla, Aluthnuwara, Rahalagala, Bathalegala, Asupini Alla, Uthuwankanda, Samasara Kanda etc. so, Dewanagala is a sacred place built & developed during the most valuable royal eras in the history of Ceylon, because of the evidence can found in temple premises connect to “Anuradhapura”, “Polonnaruwa” & “Kandy” Kingdom’s time.