Pallebedda Sri Sankapala Purana Rajamaha Viharaya


The entire temple complex is dominated by natural boulder formations, interceded by shrines and prayer rooms,Monkeys are everywhere, curiously looking down at visitors who arrive here.

A brief, but steep, climb to the top of the natural path brings us to the pinnacle of the temple, where we come face to face with the white domed stupa. The viewe from here is impressive at it takes in much of the surrounding beauty made up of mountains and foliage.

The Venerable Karathota Dharmarama rejuvenated the spiritual presence of the temple during the kandyan period. The precursor of this rejuvenation was the gifting of the land by King Rajadhi Rajasingha to Venerable Dharmarama by the King, who was enlightened after reading a book in verse form written by Venerable Dharmarama while in prison.

The king was highly pleased with the spiritually - positive message of the book, and he bestowed Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya and the village of Pallebedda to venerable Dharmarama.

The king also bestowed on him the chief inumbent of Sri Padaya and low country Sanghanayaka status. The glory of the temple began with this incident, and it prospered thereafter until now.

The 14 caves scattered across the temple complex posses carvings and verses from Brahmin Scriptures. Among the relivs in the museum of Sri Sankapala Rajamaha Viharaya is a disa (district) flag, upon which the sun and the moon has been drawn, a vatapotha (round-shaped fan used by monks) with a handle made of ivory, a standing gold statue of lord Buddha with characteristics of the deed of Pallebedda Sankapala Viharaya, On the year 1786 B.C King Rajadhi Rajasingha gifted a deed to Venerable Karathota containing a land exceeding thirteen thousand acres, including the Sankapala Viharaya Pallebedda.

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