Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

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Ancient · Buddhist · Sri Lanka

Buddama Raja Maha Vihara

Monaragala District, Uva Province · 7.0412°, 81.4890°

Gautama Buddha (reclining image with several seated Buddhas)Anuradhapura; Kandyan renovationCave temple with Kandyan murals and sculpture
Sacred since
300 BCE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
3rd c. BCE; images of the Kandyan period
Anuradhapura; Kandyan renovation

History & significance

A cave temple in the Monaragala District said to have been built in the third century BCE and renovated by successive rulers from Udaya I and Parakramabahu I to the Kandyan kings. Its principal reclining Buddha is credited to Rajadhi Rajasinha and its walls carry Jataka scenes in the Kandyan manner.

Sthala katha — the traditional account

What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.

Before Buddhism reached the island the site is said to have served as a training place for local craftsmen.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-28 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Anuradhapura; Kandyan renovation