Asgiriya Raja Maha Vihara, Gampaha, Buddhist temple in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.
Description
Asgiriya Raja Maha Vihara is a cave temple perched on a hillock along the Gampaha-Minuwangoda road with an elevated image house accessed via wooden stairs. The temple complex includes multiple structures such as a Devalaya, stone pond, and stupa.
History
The temple dates back to King Valagamba's reign between 89-77 BC and received formal recognition as an archaeological site by the Sri Lankan government in 2002.
Culture
The temple houses a Samadhi Buddha statue from the Kandyan period, with the cave ceiling decorated in lotus flower motifs. These artworks reflect the devotional practices that visitors can still observe today.
Practical
The temple sits roughly 2 kilometers from Gampaha town center and is straightforward to reach, though sturdy footwear is advisable for the wooden stairs leading to the image house. Visitors should move carefully as the terrain is hilly and pathways can be uneven.
Did you know?
An underground passage, now sealed, reportedly connected this site to Pilikuththuwa Temple 8 kilometers away. Local stories tell of hidden treasures that may still lie concealed within the grounds.
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