Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya
Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya lies amidst the city of Badulla. Muthiyangayana Chethiya is the seventh of the sixteen sacred places in Sri Lanka.
At the invitation of Naga King Maniakkika, Lord Buddha has visited the island for the third time along with 500 other thero to Kelaniya. On the same visit, Buddha has also come to Badulla, accepting the invitation of King Indika, who was the ruler of Namunukula mountain Range at the time. The king has built a stupa enshrining some hair and mukthaka Dathu (drops of sweat turned into pearls) of Buddha on the location where Buddha made his sermons in the Badulla district. This stupa and the temple has been developed, reconstructed and renovated by many kings throughout the next 2500 years. Accordingly, in the 3rd century B.C, King Devanampiyathissa has enshrined "Sarwachna Dathun" and rebuilt the Muthiyangana Stupa. Likewise, King Jettathissa has expanded the stupa during his reign. It is also written in several historic encryptions that King Rajasinghe the second has renovated the temple, which had been destroyed due to attacks from enemies.
You will come across a 'Thorana' at the door to the temple, which has a unique perspective with six levels. You will come across the main image house as you enter the temple. At The entry is a colourful 'Makara Thorana'. And right above the door and below the dragon head is a figure of Maithee Bodhisattva. Crossing the image house, you come to the perfect structure of the temple, the stupa. Back in the main image, the house is another image house identified as the centre image house (Mada Vihara Ge).
