Currently the temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka.
■ History
According to the facts from great chronicle Mahawamsa and the inscriptions found in the Vihara premises, Buddama temple was built in the third century BC. It has also been recorded in Uva Viharawamsa, a chronicle about important Buddhist centers in the Uva province, which states that Buddama was worshipped by early Buddhists. Before the advent of Buddhism to the country during the Anuradhapura period, the temple is said to have been a vocational training center for local craft men before it became a Buddhist monastery. The temple has received royal patronage by kings from time to time, as mentioned in the inscriptions found in Vihara premises and other outside references. According to the Vihara inscriptions, southern regional king Udaya I (883 – 896) donated villages to the temple during his reign and King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) created administrative divisions centering the Buddama Temple. Renovations to the temple were carried out by Sri Wickrama Rajasingha (1747 – 1781) in Kandyan period.
■ Murals
The temple is composed of more than 20 caves. The main rock cave of the temple is drip ledged and not very high. It houses many mural paintings and sculptures belonging to Kandyan style. The entrance is decorated with a Makara Thorana (Dragon’s Arch) built of clay. Inside the main chamber, a reclining Buddha statue with several seated Buddha statues are visible. The main Buddha Statue is believed to have been constructed by King Rajadhi Rajasingha. The canopy of the cave is decorated with various floral designs with the walls depicting Buddhist Jathaka stories.
■ Vihara inscriptions
□■ Buddama cave inscription
Period: 3rd BC-1st centuries AD, Script: Early Brahmi, Language: Old SinhalaContent: ”This inscription records donation of a cave to Buddhist Sangha by a teacher named Gupta, the grand son of the village councilor Vasabha and the son of Sumana”

北東 21.7Km	Ovagiriya
北西 23.6Km	Gal Oya National Park
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北東 28.9Km	Uththara Jayamaha Vihara
南東 29.5Km	Magul Maha Viharaya
北東 30.1Km	Muwangala Raja Maha Vihara
南東 31.5Km	Neelagiriseya
南東 31.7Km	Lahugala Kiri Vehera
南東 34.2Km	Lahugala Kota Vehera

vTourMap 🝙 Buddama Raja Maha Vihara 🝙 🝙

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