Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 1 km from Badulla Railway Station and 21 km from Ella, Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple located at the center of Badulla town. Also known as Muthiyangana Temple, it is one of the sacred Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka.

Muthiyangana Temple is one of the sixteen sacred Buddhist temples in the country. According to legend, Lord Buddha, along with 500 Arhants, during his third visit to the island, arrived at Badulla by the invitation of King Indaka, the chieftain of the Deva tribe. At the end of sermons, Indaka had wanted something to worship in memory of Lord Buddha's visit. The Lord Buddha is said to have given him a few of His hairs and a few drops of sweat that turned into pearls. Indaka had enshrined these sacred hairs and pearls in a stupa at the site of his sermons. King Devanampiya Tissa (307 - 266 BC) further developed the original stupa and turned the site into a temple complex. Thereafter King Jetta Tissa I, King Dhatusena, King Vijayabahu I and King Parakramabahu I have renovated the stupa.

The holy stupa has a diameter of 270 feet and a height of approximately 65 feet. There is a Thorana at the entrance of the temple, comprising six levels. Apart from the first level, which is the main entrance, figures of various animals, such as bulls and lions, adorn the remaining levels. The second level is noted for the Makara (dragon head), flanked by the figures of two guards. The temple complex includes two image houses with ancient paintings inside. A striking Makara Thorana lies at the entrance to the main image house, along with two statues of Indaka and Maithri Bodhisattva. The center image house sits behind the stupa. There are four Bo trees (Bodhi) in the temple.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free