Tirtha Atlas

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

3031 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Ancient · Buddhist · Sri Lanka

Kasagala Raja Maha Vihara

Hambantota District, Southern Province · 6.1364°, 80.8125°

Gautama Buddha (two ancient stupas and a Sri Maha Bodhi sapling)AnuradhapuraKandyan-tradition painting and sculpture
Sacred since
205 BCE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
2nd c. BCE (Kavan Tissa)
Anuradhapura

History & significance

An ancient monastery in the Hambantota District whose origin is traced to the planting of one of the saplings of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi, with construction generally credited to the reign of Kavan Tissa and later patronage from Dappula I, Vijayabahu I and Kirti Sri Rajasinha. Its two stupas are attributed to Devanampiya Tissa and Saddha Tissa, and its murals show southern Kandyan work with European decorative influence.

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.

Local folklore derives the name from monks spreading their saffron robes to dry on the rock, which made the outcrop appear yellow from a distance.

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Sources

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