 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2024) |
| Seruwawila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara | |
|---|---|
සේරුවාවිල මංගල රජ මහා විහාරය | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| District | Trincomalee |
| Province | Eastern Province |
| Location | |
| Location | Seruwawila, Sri Lanka |
| Geographic coordinates | 8°22′15″N 81°19′09.8″E / 8.37083°N 81.319389°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Buddhist Temple |
| Founder | King Kavantissa |
Seruwawila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple in Trincomalee district in Eastern Province, which is among the sixteen or seventeen holiest Buddhist shrines (Solosmasthana) in Sri Lanka.
It was built during the reign of King Kavan Tissa, Prince of Ruhuna, (2nd century BC) containing the Lalata Dathun Wahanse (sacred forehead bone) of Buddha. It can be reached by land and sea. The sea route begins at Trincomalee to Muttur on boat and another 16 km by roads and the land route is via Kantale, to Allai which is approximately 45 km through dense forest.
According to Richard Leslie Brohier, the Seruwila region was a vast swamp or villu where the flood waters of the Mahaweli Ganga collected. This villu was the home of large flocks of teals (seru) during migratory period. That perhaps was how the place came to be known as Seruwawila.[2][3]
- ^ Seruwila at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 August 2016)
- ^ Seeing Ceylon by R. L. Brohier
- ^ "Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara". UNESCO.org. Retrieved 2011-09-03.