Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya

The Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya is situated just to the south of the town, not far from the Mahaweli River. The stupa is of utmost significance for Sinhalese Buddhists, as it is believed to be the first one built in Sri Lanka and marking the spot where the Buddha when visiting the island of Sri Lanka for the first time, gave a sermon to prepare the island for the future adoption of Buddhism. The speach was given to demons, one of which was Sumana, the deity of Adam’s Peak, who became a guardian deity of Buddhism. The first stupa in Mahiyangana is said to habe been erected by Suman. The relic chamber of the stupa was the finding place of paintings from the medieval period, which are now in a museum and not in situ any more.

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