Muhudu Maha Vihara

Muhudu maha vihara
මුහුදු මහා විහාරය
The Stupa at Vihara
Religion
Affiliation	Buddhism
District	Ampara
Province	Eastern province
Location
Location	Pottuvil, Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates	06°52′39″N 81°50′20″E
Architecture
Type	Buddhist Temple
Founder	King Kavan Tissa

Muhudu Maha Vihara (Sinhalaː මුහුදු මහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple at Pottuvil in Ampara District, Eastern province of Sri Lanka. This temple, near a wide beach, is believed to have been built over 2000 years ago by King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna.^[2] The ruins and remains of ancient stupas, Seema Malaka, Avasa Geya and statues can be seen at the site. Important ruins at the temple premises include stone statues of Buddha and two statues of old kings or gods.

History

This Viharaya marks one of the suspected landing places of Viharamahadevi, daughter of Kelani Tissa, who was destined to become the queen of King Kavan Tissa of the Rohana Kingdom, along with Kirinda.^[2] Scholars argue that there is more evidence that Muhudu Maha Viharaya was in fact the landing site of Viharamahadevi due to the Kirinda Coast having a steep cliff, and hence it might've been unlikely that the princess landed there. ^[3] According to the ancient chronicle Rajavaliya, it is stated that in the second century BC after Kelaniya was submerged by the sea due to a natural disaster, Devi the daughter of King of Kelaniya was cast to sea in a Golden Vessel to appease the gods, and washed ashore near the Muhudu Maha Vihara in Pottuwil. Later she became the main consort of King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna Kingdom, under the name Viharamahadevi.

See also

• Magul Maha Viharaya

Notes and references

1. "Muhudu maha Vihara". Department of Archaeology. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
2. "Muhudu Maha Viharaya (Pottuvil)". Lanka Pradeepa. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
3. "A dwindling archaeological reserve". Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.