Elamaldeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - Pitabeddara Sri lanka.

Hello dear hive friends.

Good morning to all hive friends. How are you? The last two days were very important for the Sri Lankan Buddhist community because of the Vesak full moon. Vesak is a precious day for Sri Lankan Buddhists, marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of our religious leader, Lord Buddha.

On Vesak Poho, all the houses were adorned with light decorations and other beautiful embellishments. On this important day, I traveled to Elamaldeniya Raja Maha Viharaya, located 60 km from my city, with my family. This ancient temple, nestled in a forest, added a special charm to our visit. Despite the constant rain that day, we were able to see all the significant places without any hindrance.

I will introduce its location and share the ancient history of this remarkable temple.

Elmaldeniya Rajamaha Vihara is located in Pitabeddara area and can be accessed by several routes. It has to reach the temple via the Hakmana Hakmana to Pitabeddara road on the Southern Expressway from Colombo, the main shrine of Sri Lanka. It takes approximately 3-4 hours. Also, it is about 16km from Akurassa on the road from Galle to Akurassa, the city where I live. From Matara you can hire a local bus or tuk-tuk to get to Pitabeddara and the temple. Located in the quiet environment of Pitabeddara, Sri Lanka, the Elamaldeniya Rajamaha Vihara is a testimony of the main Buddhist heritage of the island.

Visiting Elmaldeniya Rajamaha Vihara in Pitabeddara area during Vesak was an extremely difficult experience. As it is full of people.Beyond history and tradition, this ancient temple was especially impressive during the Vesak celebrations and the people who visited it were given free food and drinks.

Architecturally at the site, the temple reflects the stylistic elements characteristic of the Anuradhapura period. The presence of ancient inscriptions and carvings in the temple complex is also special, showing its importance as a religious and cultural center. These inscriptions often document donations and donations made by various kings and dignitaries, highlighting the revered status of the temple throughout history.

A major feature of the Elmaldeniya Rajamaha Vihara is its sacred Bodhisattva, which is considered to be an offshoot of the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Also, its pagodas are very old and some renovations were done, and to see it, you have to walk through a forest reserve. It also included the addition of elaborate frescoes and murals depicting scenes from Jataka stories. It is forbidden to take pictures there. These artistic additions enhanced the temple's aesthetic and spiritual appeal, making it a treasure trove of Buddhist art and culture.

One of the main features of the Elmaldeniya Rajamaha Vihara is the ornate road that is made of stones from the same environment with great design.

Finally, the temple's ancient structures and peaceful surroundings provide the perfect setting to reflect on and celebrate the life and teachings of the Buddha. Visiting this temple turned out to be an unforgettable experience. I suggest it is a must-see destination for those interested in Sri Lanka's rich spiritual traditions.
Thank you reading
Have A nice day.
Best Regards,

Samadi Madushanki .