Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple found in the Badulla district an hour and a half away from Haputale. This temple has a long and rich history which goes back to the time of the Buddha. It is believed that the Buddha came to this site on his third visit to the island with 500 Arahants.

Lord Buddha’s Visit to the Site

The Buddha was invited by Naga King Maniakkthitha to Kelaniya, where he preached a sermon and was introduced to King Indaka who ruled the Namunukula mountain range in Badulla. King Indaka then invited the Buddha to preach a sermon in Badulla; it is on this location that the King built a stupa which enshrines some hair from the Buddha, and Mukathaka Dathu (sweat droplets which have turned into pearls), and it was this stupa that created the Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara. Since then, each ruling king expanded the temple and today it is far larger than just a stupa.

Possible Connection to the Ramayana

This region has many folktales associated with the Hindu epic Ramayana and the Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is no different. It is said that the Sri Lankan demon King Ravana was ruling the country with Badulla as the capital; there are many other locations in the era associated with Ravana like Ravana Falls so you should also visit those sites if you get the chance.