The historical Devanagala Rajamaha Vihara at Mawenella in the Kegalle district, is about 7.5 km away from Mawanella on the Mawanella –Hemmathagama – Sinhapitiya road.
Devanagala is well-known because of the ancient Buddhist temple on a large rock which resembles the back of a tortoise. The temple premises is spread over 72 acres on the rock. A Buddha image house, a stupa, a sermon hall, an old bhikkhus’ residence, the ruins of an image house made of granite blocks and a pond are on the top of the rock. There is a small temple dedicated to God Aluthnuwara Dedimunda a little below these buildings.
A flight of steps carved into the rock is the pathway to the temple premises above. Whoever clambers up the carved rock steps and enters the temple precincts on the rock can catch a panoramic view of the picturesque range of mountains in the Sathara Korale as well as the fertile fields in the verdant Maoya valley.
Among the mountains visitors can feast their eyes on are Balana, Alpitiya, Selawa, and Urakanda. Also, the view of the Dolosbage mountains including Elangapitiya, Ambalakanda and Rassawakanda hidden among white clouds in the azure world creates an enchanting scenery before any one’s eyes. There are other mountains such as Batalegala, Ambulugala, Surasaradielgala, Danakirigala, Uragala, Salavagala and Kadugannawa around Devanagala.
Legends
Several legends are associated with the construction of this historical temple. King Parakramabahu I, who reigned in Polonnaruwa from 1153 AD to 1186 AD, was the first monarch to give patronage to build the temple. There are two inscriptions in the temple premises, one of which is believed to have been engraved on the rock during the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. According to that popular Devanagala inscription, King Parakramabahu’s chief general, Kitnuvaragiri, who was behind the king’s triumphant conquer of Myanmar, was offered the village of Devanagala by the king as a token of gratitude.
It is also believed that King Watta Gamini Abhaya, who reigned in Anuradhapura, was the ruler who was instrumental in establishing the temple. King Wimaladarmasuriya, who reigned in Kandy from 1592 AD to 1604 AD, gave his patronage to Devanagala. He who was called Konappu Bandara before being enthroned had been helped immensely by Ven. Devanagala Ratanalankara Thera by organising troops.
In addition to the Buddha image house made of granite blocks and the stupa built during the period of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, the tampita vihara and the Bodhigara are believed to have been constructed when Ven. Devanagala Ratanalankara Thera lived there.
Wooden tampita temple
The technique used to build the image house made of granite blocks on such a high ground is unimaginable. The structure made of large rectangular granite blocks amazes the beholders. The wooden tampita temple built on a granite block foundation on the top of the rock is a special structure constructed under the patronage of King Wimaladarmasuriya.
Unlike many other tampita temples, a building has been built around this tampita vihara and because of that, it is somewhat difficult to identify it as a tampita temple. There are three entranceways to this building. A wooden doorpost with precious carvings is at the entrance to the inner room of the tampita vihara.
The pond built on the rock by making use of the natural location is yet another historical marvel in the Devanagala Rajamaha Vihara premises. It is encircled by a granite wall. It is said that the pond, which would have been built for the use of the bhikkhus who lived there, never runs dry. Next to this pond is a well dug into the rock and built using rectangular granite blocks for its walls. It is well in use to date.
This wonderful archaeological treasure trove lived in and well protected by bhikkhus in the good old days gradually fell into decay by around 1900 for want of protection by guardians. However, a gazette issued on December 12, 1941 included this unique place of worship in the list of archaeological monuments, but the threat to its existence cannot be ruled out yet.
