Maha Saman Devalaya, Buddhist temple in Ratnapura district, Sri Lanka

Maha Saman Devalaya is a shrine to the deity Saman in Ratnapura, at the foot of the hill believed to hold Buddha's left footprint on Sri Pada. The present building was raised in 1270 by the court minister Aryakamadeva under King Parakramabahu II, and after destruction by the Portuguese in 1618 it was rebuilt by King Rajasinghe II in simpler form; it is still built of clay.

The present shrine was built in 1270 by the court minister Aryakamadeva under King Parakramabahu II, fulfilling a vow to erect a shrine to deity Saman if his search for gems succeeded. King Parakramabahu IV of Kotte later patronised it. Portuguese forces captured and destroyed it in 1618, building a church on the site; King Rajasinghe II rebuilt the shrine in the 17th century, more simply than before.

The temple serves as a gathering place where communities participate in Buddhist practices and celebrations throughout the year. The annual Esala Perahara festival draws crowds who experience traditional music, dances, and processions that reflect the region's deep spiritual connection to this sacred site.

The Esala Perahara runs for 13 days in August–September, opening with the Pirith ceremony and kap situveema before the Kumbal and Dewele processions; the final night ends with the Diya Kapeema water-cutting rite. The Basnayake Nilame supervises the events, and all processions are broadcast online.

The shrine was built in 1270 by the court minister Aryakamadeva under King Parakramabahu II, fulfilling a vow he had made to raise a shrine to Saman if his search for gems succeeded. The present structure is made of clay, rebuilt on a simpler plan after King Rajasinghe II took the area and replaced the Portuguese church with the temple.