Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya

What?
This is a sacred Buddhist temple, believed to be visited by the Buddha himself.

Where?
It is located in the Badulla district and approximately 180 km from Colombo.

When?
It can be visited all year long, but January to April offers pleasant weather.

The large and beautiful Mahiyangana Stupa, a kilometer south of the Mahiyangana town, signifies the spot at which the Load Buddha preached. Enshrined in the stupa is a lock of blue-black hair of Lord Buddha and a relic of the collarbone of Buddha. The area is very attrctive; the park with the dagoba is well kept and is overlooked by the hills on the far bank of the Mahaweli. The stupa was built by Prince Saman of the Dewa tribes of prehistoric Lanka, (Other 2 tribes were the Yakka and Naga) during the first visit of Lord Buddha to the island. It was rebuilt by the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna ( 161-136 B.C), and has been restored many times by a succession of kings. There is a Devale for the god of Saman. The main religious festival is held in September. The most significant feature of this Perahera is the Veddha dance, which is performed by the Veddhas (The Aborigines of Sri Lanka).