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Description
Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in Hambantota District, South Eastern Sri Lanka. Situated 18 km east of the pilgrimage town Katharagama, it is believed to have been built in the 2nd century B.C by King Kavantissa.
This ancient monastery with a history of over 2200 years, was a place of worship for devotees as well as a center of Buddhist education for Buddhist monks. Paintings of the Anuradhapura era and the ruins of stone Buddha images, Bodhisattva images, Image Houses, Circular Relic Houses are spread throughout the monastery premises.
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Location
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Situlpawwa, Sri Lanka
District
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December 5, 2024 8:39 am local time
Contact Details
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Phone Number+94 473 489 550
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AddressSitulpawwa
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Google Reviews
Jeewanthi Harshani
13:17 18 Sep 21
Best place to watching birds. Morning and evening are best time for birds watching. You can see different types of migrated birds in this area. Also you can see the crocodiles in muddy areas of this park.
Sampath Samarathungaa
09:40 25 Jul 21
It is an amazing and most proudful place for Sri Lankan Buddhists. A calm, quiet and natural environment for all to see. You will not be dissatisfied.
Yohani Mendis
15:54 16 Jul 21
Please say NO to the planned Sithulpawwa Theme Park!!! Yala DOES NOT NEED another temple and an amusement park in the middle of what is supposed to be the last remaining conservation habitat for Sri Lanka's dwindling precious wildlife. The endless destruction driven by political/religious corruption needs to STOP.
Pethum Jayasingha
02:03 13 Jul 21
The place where Great disciples of Buddha, that is Arahats meditated before 2000 years.
Sudesh Weerakkody
01:52 24 Apr 21
Wow nice location mid in yala jungle . Wild elephant can see beging for food. Also wild pigs . Most of the stop at first place you need to climb the next mountain also. Road is very bad at racing time from kataragama. You can reach from kirinda also. Dusty Road through jungle.
Asitha Dharshana
16:42 28 Mar 21
Spent time with few wild animals at the car park of sithulpawwa. There is PET bottles collection center. All the tourist and devotees must concern their PET waste to drop at correct place
nadeesha neranjan
14:05 15 Mar 21
Mind blessing monastery which was located at the yala national park. The joy, the comfort that comes to the mind by the name Sithulpauwa, before you see it. A place where the mind loves to see and Even though it is located in the middle of a jungle, many peoples come to pay homage to it because of its respect..Road is not too good.but it is.It needs similar roads like that.you have to go more through the jungle .. No one will be allowed to this place after 4pm and if you are traveling keep that in mind.
Damith Sampath
06:40 02 Mar 21
This is Buddhist Monastery situated in Katharagama area. When we go to this place we had to pass some area of Yala national park and it was awesome. Can see some wild life including wild elephants. Sometimes some people also got attack by wild elephants.
- Mohan -
16:19 22 Feb 21
One of beautiful hotel in Sri Lanka with very nice views around. At the evening, you can see the remarkable views of Sun set from this hotel premises. This is a really good place for Photo shoot also.
Ravindra Jayaratne
10:56 16 Jan 21
Peaceful location to release stress. Be careful parking near fence as I hace seen the famous elephant attack to a vehicle mirrors.
sandamalika walallawita
06:38 15 Jan 21
Sithulpawwa is the most peaceful buddhist temple in the Sri Lanka. The road to Sithulpawwa is a bit difficult but it is a very interesting journey. Alking on the road that runs through the middle of the Yala Forest Park feels like going on a safari.There are many historical stories about Sithulpawwa. Once you come there, you can learn about those stories from a person who live in there. There are many places to visit and one thing you need to keep in mind is to keep quiet behave there, because there are many monks who meditated there. Another important point is that Sithulpawwa is a completely vegetarian hermitage.
sapumal mayuranga
12:16 25 Sep 20
Located inside Yala national park.Road is rough but can go by car.Keep in mind not to feed wild animals which stay on the side of the road.Large car park area but no shade.Protect your belongings from wild monkeys.Peaceful and calm monastery.
Risheendra Dissanayake
10:54 19 Sep 20
Sacred buddhist temple with a long history. It is built in the middle of a jungle. Preferred time to go there is after 4pm because it is hard to stay there on midday. It is a very calm and relaxing place if you help to keep the place quiet. Photographs are not allowed in some places. Road is in a mild condition and running through the jungle. you can spot lot of wildlife on the road and the parking area of the monastery too. Authorities will not allow public to go there after 6pm.
KC Vlogs
08:52 08 Sep 20
I went to the restaurant 57 in this hotel. Food was so yummy. Reasonable prices compared to the others hotel menus. Take away items are carefuly wrapped meeting the safety measures. Free delivery also available in Colombo city limit.
Tish Wick
08:00 06 Sep 20
I loved the view from the top, the rock climbing, the ride and everything. It was beautiful. We saw an elephant , a tusker, wild bores, loads of birds and monkeys freely roaming inside the compound and near the monastery. It was amazing to see unchanied elephants! One free elephant was even taking a bath in one of the ponds inside the monastery. This is a must visit for religious pilgrimers as well as the advanture lovers too. There were loads of deers crossing the road too.
Venura Fernando
10:25 31 Aug 20
Ancient Buddhist temple with a fascinating view. Bigger car parking area.
Ananda S Premalal Ratnayake
08:44 29 Aug 20
Calm and quiet beautiful place in front of the Len vihara .
Gayan Garusinghe
15:15 30 Jul 20
Beautiful plave to relax your mind. Tip make sure you visit after around 4 PM so it is not hot and the evening breeze is nice. Make sure to leave the premises by 6 PM too.
Thushara K
03:47 23 May 20
Situated in Kirinda in Hambanthota District, Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya has also being called Chiththala Pabbatha in the ancient texts. Stone Inscriptions has identified this location as “Chithala Paawatha Vehera”. This temple complex is attributed to King Kavanthissa who ruled southern area of the country.Sithulpawwa is known as a location where thousands of Arhaths lived at one time. According to folklore it is said that a novice monk called Thissa who has reached the state of Arhath lived here and later a stupa was built encasing his remains thus this also has been known as Tissa Thera Chetiya.Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya contains large number of stupas, cave temples, Buddha statues a stupa house and image houses spread among a large land area. Among these there is a cave temple with ancient paintings thought to be belonging to the 3rd century BC. These drawings have been done on a thin layer of plaster on the rock surface and primarily used red – yellow colours.The main stupa has been built by flattening the top of a rocky mountain. There are two approaches to the stupa. Stone steps have been cut from the south and the north. The boundary walls of the maluwa area have been built using large rocks. Remains of many buildings can be seen on the Northern side of the stupa.In addition to the main Sithulpawwa stupa another hill called the ‘Small Sithulpawwa ’ also contains similar stupa and buildings. Stupas have been built on each peak of this rocky mountain range and all these have been built in the Pre Christian Era.A large amount of valuable items has been found from the excavations on this site including an exclusively made image of goddess Thara in a seating position and many Buddha statues. Two Statues of the Awalokeswara Bodisattva can be seen on the main cave temple. One of these is dressed as a royal and the other is plainly dressed as a sage.A large number of rock inscriptions have been found throughout the vihara complex. All these belong to the pre Christian era and some letters in these inscriptions show localisation effects compared to Inscriptions in the Aruradhapura in the same era. Some of these pre Christian inscriptions mentions two of the ‘Dasamaha Yodhayan’ (the ten giants in the Army of King Dutugemunu) called Nandimithra and Welusumana. Another giant of the ‘Dasamaha Yodhayan’ Pussadeva is also said to be from this area.According to the great chronicle Mahavansa, King Vasaba has built 10 stupas in the Sithulpawwa (then Chiththala Pabbatha) According to stone inscriptions King Mahallaka Naga (134-146) has built stupas and donated land to the temple and the regional King Dappula of Rohana has donated the village called Gonmitigama in 659 AC. Today this village has been identified as Gonagala.
Supitha Buddhika Kumarasinghe
11:48 28 Mar 20
A sacred place of Christians. Church has a calm environment full of trees.
Vachintha Piyadasa
13:34 15 Mar 20
Great store that sells a wide range of footwear for both men, women and children. They have a variety of designs including modern and trendy ones and the quality of items are really good. Staff is attentive and helpful. Most of the items are priced at reasonable rates. Parking space available in front of the shop that could accommodate 3 - 4 vehicles at a time. Highly recommended place.
Charith R. Baddage
04:17 01 Mar 20
The cleanliness of the chalet was superb, well maintained property. Meals could have improved, but given the seasonal factors, acceptable. Beach was very clean in front as the hotel clean it, but you can't walk a long way due to polluted beach. Peaceful environment and good service. Highly recommend for a couple. Corner most chalet has the best view.
Hasanka Padukka
01:58 25 Nov 19
It’s a long drive through the Ayala jungle but I would say it’s safe, most probably you will encounter deer, peacock etc but while elephants you can see in the temple. Temple is protected with a strong iron fence so elephants can’t come in. Very clam and quite place. What a respectable place.
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