Pusulpitiya

According to local tradition, a Brahmin from India settled down in Pusulpitiya after his marriage. He succeeded in procuring a golden pumpkin from the Kotmala Oya after sacrificing their first-born child. He had later kept the golden pumpkin at a spot and gone in search of water to quench his thirst. When he returned, the pumpkin was missing and the earth rendered asunder. The grief-stricken Brahmin fell dead due to a curse. This area was thereafter named Pusulpitiya.

It can be reached by travelling along Nawalapitiya-Kotmale New Town road via Hadunuwewa. The distance from the Kalavitiya junction is about 3 km.

Bo-tree

The most ancient object of worship in the vihara is the Bo-tree, considered as one of the 32 saplings of the sacred Bo-tree in Anuradhapura. The planting of the Bo-tree dates back to the 3rd century BC.

The Golden Buddha Image

One of the four golden Buddha statues brought to the country from India by Thera Maliyadéva was kept in this vihara. The other three were kept at Wattdrama, Diddeniya, Madanwala. The image at Pusulpitiya had been robbed recently. Only the image preserved at Madanwela is kept in safe custody up to now. A replica of the stolen image is kept in the enclosure.

Ancient Shrine Room

This was originally a tampita vihara converted to a two-storied building subsequently after erecting the walls. The upper storey is in two parts. One accommodates a golden image under a Makara Torana. Only the Makara Torana offered by King Buvanekabahu IV is still available.

There are a large number of Ola manuscripts, ancient ceramics, copper and brassware and several bronze and copper Buddha images.

The casket used for the deposit of relics is among the other valuable objects. Dhammacakka pavattana Sutta, recorded separately on copper and silver plates, are preserved in the vihara. The complete Jataka Book and a copy of the Pijjavaliya on Ola are among the other literary works kept in this vihara.

Elephant Tusks

A pair of large elephant tusks supposed to be the tusks of elephant ‘Kadol’ received as a donation from Sattambi of Agalawatte, Ambatalawa is a rare antique in the vihara.

There is a shrine room in close proximity accommodating a stone-built painted Buddha image and a miniature dagaba measuring seven cubits. This place had served as the temporary residence of Prince Dutugemunu when he visited Pusulpitiya vihara to worship the Bo-tree. There is a belief that the ornaments, goads, some ancient coins and statues had been deposited in the premises of this vihara.

A large stone footprint, three inscriptions and a flight of steps are among the other antiquarian objects.

The Paddy Store in the compound of the central courtyard of the temple is an unusual structure. The store is erected on 12 stone pillars using timber and is covered with flat tiles. The length is 9.23 metres (30 ft.) and the width 2.46 metres (8 ft.). The produce of the paddy fields donated to the vihara by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747 - 1782) was stored in this ‘Atuwa’. About 2,500 to 3,000 bushels of paddy can be stored in the paddy store. This store had been repaired several times after its construction. The last repair had been done in the year 1877.

Several families in occupation of the vihara land have moved to other locations as their lands were submerged in the Kotmale Reservoir. They have been given alternative land under the Mahaweli Scheme. Pusulpitiya vihara is now depending on paid labour to get routine services performed.

(Heritage of Kandurata by Dr. H.A.P. Abeyawardana P 227)

Unique Sri Lanka

Pusulpitiya Rajamaha Viharaya at Kothmale

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