Visit to Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya Temple

Year and Month	21-June-2020
Number of Days	One
Crew	03
Accommodation	N/A
Transport	Motor Bicycles
Activities	Hiking, Photography, Sightseeing, Nature Exploring
Weather	Good
Route	Colombo -> Kesbewa -> Bandaragama -> Pokunuvita -> Temple
Tips, Notes and Special remark	Maintain the silence Obey the rules Do not disturb to the devotees Wear appropriate attire Maintain the disciplinary
Related Resources	AmazingLanka
Author	Ranshan Fernando
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Visit to Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya Temple

Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya – පොකුණුවිට කිත්සිරිමෙවන් රජමහා විහාරය

The Temple buildings were beautifully placed at different levels on a rock cliff. We walked up the slight incline to reach the old shrine room. We passed an ancient rock inscription and the Bo tree.

The paintings on its outside walls and the makara thorana in this little building is notable. Inside was a huge seated Buddha statue possibly of later origin. The origin of this Viharaya is believed to date back to the Polonnaruwa period. The Viharaya is said to have gained prominence during the days of Raigam Bandara.

Another impressive shrine room is situated on the side of the rock cliff at a slightly lesser elevation. As we descended towards it a natural pool rock almost spilled over with the rainwater.

The rock sculpture here is beautiful and believed to be similar to the Gal Viharaya statues at Polonnaruwa. According to the local belief, this sculpture was done by the same artists that executed the celebrated Polonnaruwa statues. An unusually long and highly ornate carved wooden structure served as the table for offerings in front of the main Buddha image.

It was raining harder and we sat on the steps of the shrine room looking down into the entrance yard of the temple. At the bottom of the hill was the Darmasalawa with its elegant granite pillars amongst other buildings.

Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya can be reached by traveling on the Welikala road branching at the Pokunuwita junction along the Colombo- Horana Highway.

The ancient shrine room built of kabok and mud is the main attraction to the lover of old temple buildings. This has to be reached by climbing up a slight incline, passing an ancient rock inscription, and a huge Bo tree.