Thanthirimale Raja Maha Vihara is a Buddhist temple in the Mahavilachchiya D.S.division in the Anuradhapura district.
According to the Chronicle Mahawamsa, following the advent of Arahat Mahinda Thera, in the third century B.C., bringing Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Arahat Sangamitta Theri was summoned to establish the Bhikkuni Sasana (order of Bhikkhunis).
The Stupa
Arahat SangamittaTheri who arrived with a Sapling from the Sacred Bo Tree of Buddhagaya, India was welcomed by King Devanampiyatissa and was escorted in a grand procession. En route to the city of Anuradhapura, the procession stopped at Thiwanka Bamunugama (as Thanthirimale was then known). The Bo sapling was placed on the summit of the highest hill in Thanthirimale and religious rites were conducted by the local ruler of the area, Brahmin Thiwakka.
Later the sapling was taken to Anuradhapura and planted in Mahameuna Uyana.It is said that eight saplings sprang from this Bo sapling, known as Ashtapala Ruka, of which one was bestowed on Brahmin Thiwakka. This Bo sapling was brought to Thanthirimale in a procession and was planted on the summit of the rocky hill, where a sturdy stone parapet wall was built for its protection.
The two main Buddha Statues can be seen at this sacred site. The Samadhi statue built near the Bodhiya shows characteristics of the late Anuradhapura period. The eight-foot-tall Samadhi statue depicts the graceful craftsmanship of the olden days.
Samadhi
Buddha statue
When Thanthirimale was re-discovered by Ven.Kudakongaskada Wimalagnana Thera in the early 1960’s the reclining statue which is 45 feet in length and the Samadhi statue were badly destroyed by the treasure hunters who had burrowed and mined into the statues in search of material treasures. Although the Samadhi Buddha statue had been re-created to its initial appearance, the attempts to re-create the reclining statue since 1974 by the Archaeological Department have been a failure to this date.
Only the Pothgula (monastery library) and meditation caves had escaped from the attacks of the treasure hunters.
Five meditating caves can be seen scattered inside the deep forest of Thanthirimale. According to Ven. Thanthirimale Chandarathana Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the temple, the history of these caves dates back to the First Century B.C. and they are with Brahmin writings detailing donors and constructors of the caves. The vast rocky landscape of Thanthirimale Raja Maha Viharaya not only has these iconic structures but also is replete with historical ruins.
Today the Thanthirimale is surrounded by huge boulders and thick forest cover. One could only imagine what the location looked like nearly 2,300 years ago, but peace and serenity still prevail.
Ven. Chandarathana Thera said that Thanthirimale was one of the ancient human settlements of Sri Lanka. The Thanthirimale monastery could be reached by two ways. The first one is through Anuradhapura – Mahavilachchiya road. Take Sri Wimalagnana road and after travelling nearly 20 Kms. you can reach the Thanthirimale sacred site. The second road is on Medawachchiya-Mannar route. Turn left from Gajasinhapura and cross Malwatuoya to reach the sacred site.
Pilgrims viewing the surroundings of the sacred site
Ashtapala Bodhiya
