Deeghawapi, Buddhist temple in Ampara District, Sri Lanka

Deeghawapi is a Buddhist temple in Ampara District featuring a large dagoba as its main structure. The grounds are surrounded by green spaces and contain several ancient buildings that form the overall temple complex.

The main temple was built during the time of King Saddhatissa and marked a period of Buddhist expansion in the region. Archaeological findings from 1986 revealed connections to King Mahitisa, who ruled in a later period.

The name Deeghawapi comes from the Pali digha (long) and vapi (reservoir), referring to the ancient tank beside the shrine. A legend in the Pali work Saararthapakaasani tells of a novice monk who fell while plastering the cetiya, called on the Dhajagga Paritta, and was saved. Today the village is mainly Muslim, with Tamil-speaking residents who also use Sinhala.

The temple is free to visit and lies relatively close to towns in the Ampara District that are served by local transport. It helps to use local guides to better understand the ancient structures and their significance.

A 14 cm by 1.5 cm gold leaf inscription found in 1986 lay inside a reliquary of thick gold sheets. Its text names King Mahitisa (Kannittha Tissa), son of King Naka, who reigned from 164 to 192 CE. The Pali work Saararthapakaasani tells of a novice monk who fell while plastering the cetiya, called on the Dhajagga Paritta and was saved.