Unagalawehera Rajamaha Viharaya, Hingurakgoda

The Unagalawehera Rajamaha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in Hingurakgoda, Sri Lanka. It is 6 km (3.7 mi) south of Hingurakgoda and 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Polonnaruwa. It is an ancient site with temple complexes and ruins which are considered to belong to the early period of the Anuradhapura era.

Unagalawehera Rajamaha Viharaya, Hingurakgoda
උණගලාවෙහෙර රාජමහා විහාරය, හිඟුරක්ගොඩ
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DistrictPolonnaruwa
ProvinceNorth Central Province
Location
LocationHingurakgoda, Sri Lanka
Unagalawehera Rajamaha Viharaya, Hingurakgoda is located in Sri Lanka
Unagalawehera Rajamaha Viharaya, Hingurakgoda
Shown within Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates08°00′49.2″N 80°59′23.1″E
Architecture
TypeBuddhist Temple

Ancient stupa

The Unagalavehera Stupa is the second largest stupa outside of Polonnaruwa. The stupa is 30 metres (98 ft) high.Legend has it that the stupa was built with lime mortar and that the layer of plaster was so thick that at that time it was called 'Hunugal Vehera' and later it was known as 'Unagala Vehera'.Other sources state that the stupa was later renamed as 'Uunagal Vehera' and later as 'Unagala Vehera' due to lack of stones during the construction of the stupa.During the reign of King Dutugemunu (161-137 BC) this area was known as 'Jayabima'.Later a stupa was built at this place in the 7th century AD and it was known as 'Jayabima Vehera'.There are two vahalkada on the north and south sides of the stupa, a ruined idol house on the west side and a small model of the stupa built by King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 AD) on the east side.[1][2]

Ancient monastery complex

During the reign of King Dappula IV (923-935 AD), this temple was known as Puvaram (Purvarama) Rajamaha Viharaya.This temple was affiliated to the Ritigala monastery. At that time, the land where this temple is currently located was known as 'Hinginiwella'. Later, this monastery complex was renovated by King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 AD).This monastery complex has been constructed in the tradition of the Maha Vihara with the center of the stupa. The ruined buildings belonging to the monastery complex is located in the surrounding of stupa.[3][4]

Annual temple flower offering ceremony

The 'Annual Temple Flower Offering Ceremony' or 'Araliya Mal Poojawa' is Sri Lanka's first temple flower offering ceremony. The offering of one million temple flowers began in 1995.[5][6]

References
  1. "Unveiling of the Pinnacle of a newly built Unagalawehera Stupa". news.lk. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  2. "Unagalawera Stupa Excavation". www.pressreader.com. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  3. Ranawella, G.S. (2004). Giritale Unagalawehera Pillar Inscription#Inscription of Ceylon. Vol. V (II). Department of Archaeology. p. 68-70.
  4. "Giritale Unagalawehera Monastery" (PDF). etheses.dur.ac.uk. 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  5. "Araliya Mal Poojawa". alt.army.lk. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  6. "වාර්ෂික අරලිය මල් පූජාව". www.budusarana.lk. 31 May 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
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