Thani Vella Maha Devalaya

What?
This is a shrine dedicated to the deity Thaniya Wallabha.

Where?
It is located in the Puttalam district and approximately 90 km from Colombo.

When?
It can be visited all year long, though festivals bring a vibrant atmosphere.

Thani Vella Maha Devalaya is a well-known shrine in Madampe in the Puttalam district. The construction date of this devalaya is unknown, but the bricks belong to the period around 1850. The shrine is related to the Kotte Kingdom. The name was given after the prince Taniya Vallabbha, who ruled this region at the time and was the son of Veera Parakramabahu VIII, the second queen of Kotte. The significant thing to see here is the image of a milk-white horse, which gallops impressively towards the shrine. Besides, there is an over 250-year- old Bodhi tree. An annual festival on a Saturday in August is held here. It is called Nanumura Mangallaya and is organized for the symbolic cleaning of the weapons that have been in the devalaya since the beginning. Moreover, this place is considered a sacred place with miraculous and mysterious powers.