It is believed that prince Dantha and princess Hemamala 3rd century had stayed at Danthure for seven weeks before they left for Anuradhapura with the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. It is stated that king Kitsirimevan (A.D. 551 -69) constructed a temple at this site and donated it to the Maha Sanga to honour the visit.

King Sri Vickrama Rajasimha (A.D.1769 -1815) reconstructed the temple. According to historical sources, the image house on pillars had been constructed by Giragama Mudiyanse, the Diyavadana Nilame.

Although the temple is believed to have originated during the Anuradhapura period, the present temple belongs to the Kandyan period (15 x 19" century). Paintings of the Kandyan period on the internal walls of the image house have been repainted. This unique building consists of two image houses. The upper image house is built on stone columns. The lower image house is on a raised platform on the ground floor.

Inside both images, houses are intricately carved wooden columns and ancient paintings. Within the premises are two stone inscriptions in Sinhala; paintings on the external walls have faded due to dampness and are in a serious state of deterioration.

Location: The temple is situated at the Danthure junction on the Pilimathalawa Pottenitiva road.

(Heritage Buildings of Sri Lanka by Nimal de Silva and D. P. Chandrasekara 2009. P:23)

Unique Sri Lanka

Danthure Rajamaha Viharaya

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