The Haththikuchchi Rajamaha Vihara premises, which is full of ruins that exemplify the glory of a by-gone era, stands majestically surrounded by a mesmerising forest area with isolated rocky hills and boulders.
When we come from Anuradhapura about 42 km towards Kurunegala, we can reach this historically significant ruined temple complex when we turn right at the Galkanda Junction and proceed about 2km more. The geographical location of the site belongs to the Kurunegala Administrative District of the North Western Province.
Whoever enters this ruined temple precincts, a Buddhist place of worship held aloft as the place where king Sirisangabo was supposed to have cut off his head and sacrificed it to the poor man in an unprecedented act of unique altruism, will be held spellbound with even a glimpse of the plethora of remnants belonging to a very remote past.
The word Haththikuchchi means the elephant’s belly and it is due to the fact that there is a large rock resembling a kneeling elephant. This archaeological site is spread over 100 acres and has a long history that dates back to the 3rd century BC. Built during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, this network of ancient ruins such as stone pagodas, ancient brick walls and stone pillars can be observed amid beautiful ponds, large trees in the lush green vegetation and several natural rock formations.
Several remarkable architectural marvels can be observed within this temple complex of Haththikuchchi and one of the cynosures is the Vatadageya considerably well-preserved despite the fact that the stupa in the enclosure is tumbledown. For all that dilapidation with the passage of time, this stupa house with its two stone gateways in their pristine grandeur can still impress visitors.
There is evidence that the Haththikuchchi temple was intact from the 3rd century BC to the 10th century AD. The inscriptions in the caves are a testament to that fact. More than 50 such inscriptions are said to have been discovered from the historic caves.
It is widely believed that king Sirisangabo who was living in the forest nearby after renouncing the throne in around 244 AD came to a certain spot within this temple complex and unsheathed the sword and cut his head off and handed it over to a beggar to be given to King Gotabaya who had ordered to bring Sirisangabo’s head fearing that Sirisangabo would come back and oust him and become king again. There is some contradiction as regards the exact place where this incident took place.
This renowned temple complex of Haththikuchchi is worth visiting more than once in that this place is rich in ancient ruins which declare its excellence as a great Buddhist place of worship. The tranquility of its surroundings with trees, thickets, ponds, tanks and rocky hills around and nice, cool breeze blowing can comfort the hearts of visitors.
