The Maraluwawa Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple lying on the top of the Andagala rock close to the Kurunegala town. Like an eel, this rock stretches for over 16 kilometres giving it a shape of an eel to a person looking at it from the ground or from above giving its name Andagala (eels rock).
The history of the temple goes back to the reign of King Dutugemunu. History records that King Dutugemunu built the temple. Kings Walagamba, Parakramabahu vi, Vathhimi, Prince Pussadeva and King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe have looked after the temple and developed it during their reigns.
The history of the temple is well documented in the Andagala copper plates which are held by the temple. These copper plates have been offered to the temple by the King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747-1781 A.D.) of the Kandyan kingdom. This is the temple where the last Arahath of Sri Lanka, Arahath Maliyadeva and many other Arahath Theras including Arahath Pussadeva lived. On a rock surface near the stupa, a large inscription can be seen.
Unfortunately, this inscription is so decayed nothing had been read. But to carve out such a large inscription, the temple must have had a very important place in the history. However, the Director General of Archaeology who had read the inscription stated that the inscription says about some tanks and water courses. He has mentioned it on a newly-built pillar near the inscription.
An ancient Bodhigara, ruins of a Pohoya Geya and a number of drip ledged caves can also be seen on the site which gives a spectacular view of the surrounding Ethagala, Ibbagala, Dolokanda and the Kurunegala city.
Although the road leading to the temple is in a motorable condition, walking all the way gives you pleasure and you can view the beauty of the area. On a clear day, you will see the blotted image of Knuckles mountain range too from the site.
