Mulkirigala Rajamaha Vihare

This famous Vihara is situated 13 km away from Beliatte on the Beliatte-Weeraketiya road. Mulkirigala temple, not mentioned in the early chronicles of Sri Lanka, is a monastery that had been the abode of many Buddhist monks. According to the legend, King Saddhatissa (137-119 BC) was hunting in this area, and a Veddah had informed the King that there was a rock suitable for constructing a temple. The King went with the Veddah and found that the rock shown was indeed suitable and said "Mu Kiv gala" is good. Thus 'Mu kiv gala' gradually became Mulkirigala. Another legend connects this temple with the Umangala temple in Hakmana. It is believed that there is a tunnel created by a King Cobra (Naga Raja) connecting these two temples. Although the Chronicle is silent, the Origin of this cave temple may date back to the 2nd century BC. A donatory inscription at Mulkirigala dated to be the 7th century indicates that this temple was a prestigious temple during that time. A 12th-century inscription found at Mulkirigala indicates that this was called "Muhundgiri", This might have been the "Samuddagiri" temple, which was built by King Kawantissa during the 2nd century BC.

Mulkirigala clearly shows the signs of a temple that had received royal patronage.

The existence of numerous caves and the efforts extended in building this temple show its importance during the early historical period. It is possible that this temple, like most others in the area, went into decline after the capital moved to the wet zone. This temple was restored during the reign of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe of Kandy when most of these caves were painted. This monastery Possessed a library which was discovered by George Turnour, the Government Agent of Sabaragamuwa, in 1826. An interesting fact is the discovery of a Copy of the national Chronicle, Mahavamsa, at Mulkirigala in 1838. During the Dutch period, this temple was called Adam's Berg.

(Heritage of Ruhuna by Dr. H.A.P. Abeyawardana P119)

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Mulkirigala Rajamaha Viharaya

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