Seruvila Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya, Buddhist temple in Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka.
Seruvila Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in Trincomalee District, eastern Sri Lanka. The complex consists of traditional stupas and stone structures that spread across a wide site, showing the ancient religious architecture of the island.
King Kavantissa founded this religious center in the 2nd century BC, making it one of the sixteen principal Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. The temple was expanded and restored over centuries, maintaining its spiritual importance in the region.
The temple houses the Lalata Dathun Wahanse, a forehead bone relic of Buddha, which attracts pilgrims throughout the year for religious ceremonies. Devotees come here to participate in traditional Buddhist rituals and express their reverence across the different shrines within the complex.
Visitors can reach the temple via a sea route from Trincomalee to Muttur followed by a 16-kilometer (10-mile) road journey, or through a 45-kilometer (28-mile) land route. The site is accessible during daylight hours, with early mornings often quieter and offering better light for photos.
The site contains three ancient viharas, each corresponding to different past Buddhas: Kakusandha, Konagamana, and Kassapa. Each of these areas has its own architectural design and attracts visitors who want to explore the layers of Buddhist tradition.
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