The Wider Sacred City

Sacred
Sites

Kirivehera stands within the sacred city of Kataragama, alongside devalayas and shrines that pilgrims often visit as part of the same pilgrimage.

PLACES OF DEVOTION

Shrines of the Kataragama Sacred City

Kirivehera is one of several revered sites that make up the sacred city of Kataragama. Many devotees pair their visit to the stupa with a pilgrimage to the neighbouring devalayas below.

Kirivehera

The Ancient Stupa

Kirivehera

The Kirivehera Chaitya Rajayananan Thero, which has a history dating back to the time when the Buddha lived, is one of the most sacred places in Sri Lanka, and it is built in the sacred place of Kataragama in Ruhunu, which has been purified by the feet of the Buddha.

This great stupa was built to commemorate the wonderful event of the Buddha's third visit to Sri Lanka, when he, accompanied by 500 great arahants, resided in the cedar garden of Mahaghosha, the Kshatriya ruler of the Kataragama region at that time. It is a unique event that the Buddha resided in the cedar garden itself.

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There are two opinions: that this stupa was built by Mahaghosha himself, or that it was built by his second half-brother Mahanaga, the founder of the Rohana kingdom. There is also an opinion that the small stupa built by Mahaghosha was later expanded and renovated by Mahanaga.

There are several features that demonstrate the uniqueness of the Kirivehera Chaitya Raja.

I. The hair relics of the Buddha, which are part of the physical relics, as well as the royal golden casket used for shaving the hair of Prince Siddhartha, which are part of the consumable relics, are enshrined in this stupa. The only stupa that enshrines both physical relics and consumable relics is the Kirivehera Chaityarajaya Thero.

II. The unique feature of the ancient stupa tradition in Ruhuna is that it was built with a side wall according to the Sanchi Stupa model in India. This unique feature is still evident in the Kirivehera Chaityarajaya Thero.

III. The Kirivehera Chaityarajaya Thero is also unique in that it is the only stupa in the world that is built with three courtyards that are gradually raised from the ground level.

There is archaeological evidence that the Kirivehera Stupa that we see today has undergone renovations on about 06 occasions. Accordingly, what was initially a small stupa has now evolved into a large stupa.

The modern renovation took place in the period 1959 - 1970 AD. According to this renovation, the total height of the stupa is 99 feet 6 inches. The circumference is 277 feet. There are three square courtyards. There are four entrance gates.

Asthapala Bodhiya

Sacred Bo Tree Shrine

Asthapala Bodhiya

During the reign of Devanampiyatissa, the great arahant theri Sanghamitta brought the sacred Bodhi branch to this country, and it was planted in the Mahamevuna Garden in Anuradhapura. One of the eight Bodhi saplings that grew from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was received by the Kataragama Kshatriya princes who attended the Bodhi planting festival, and they had it planted in their own kingdom, Kataragama Pura.

The Ashtapala Ruha Bodhi Thera that was planted in this way can be seen behind the Maha Devalaya building in the present-day Kataragama Maha Devalaya premises in Ruhunu.

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It is also noteworthy that among the eight Ashtapala Ruha Bodhi Thera planted in eight places in Sri Lanka during the reign of Devanampiyatissa, only the Ashtapala Ruha Bodhi Thera in Kataragama is still preserved.It is one of the monastery components of the historic Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya complex.

Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya

Principal Devalaya

Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya

It should be remembered that the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, which is currently governed as a separate institution under its own Chief Custodian, was once part of the Kirivehera monastery complex. The Chaitya, Bodhi, Sanghavasaya, statue house and Deva Mandir are usually the components of a Buddhist monastery.

The Kataragama Maha Devalaya was built by the great sage Dutugemunu on the basis of a Malasun house under the shade of the Ashtapala Ruha Bodhi. The Kiri Viharaya was also built in the same Bodhi premises. There is evidence that all of this existed as a single complex in the past.

Dedimunda Devalaya

Kataragama Complex

Dedimunda Devalaya

Located on the lower terrace of the Kirivehera Stupa, this temple is an ancient place that is highly revered and worshipped by devotees. Many of the daily pujas held at the temple are conducted according to rituals and special pujas can also be arranged according to the needs of the devotees.

Mahasen Maha Devalaya

Kataragama Complex

Mahasen Maha Devalaya

Located at the left end of the Kirivehera Maha Seya courtyard, the Mahasen Maha Devalaya is a very valuable historical monument associated with the history of the Kataragama Kshatriya Kingdom as well as the Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya.

This small temple was built to house a stone statue of the Bodhisattva-like Kshatriya ruler named Mahaghosha, who later became the object of worship by the people as Mahasena or the Great God of Kataragama. He was considered a deity by the people from a very early period, having heard the Dhamma from the Buddha and attained spiritual realisation. The statue was found during excavations in the Kirivehera Seya courtyard.

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This Mahasen Maha Devalaya is held in high esteem among the devotees due to the experiences of the people themselves. According to the popular belief, any reasonable request made to the Mahasen Maha Devalaya by performing the prescribed rituals will be fulfilled, and the number of devotees visiting this place is increasing day by day.

Daily pujas are performed here at fixed times and the devotees are blessed with peace and prosperity. It is special that the administration has provided the opportunity to perform pujas according to their wishes, as well as to perform special pujas to release their vows after their wishes are fulfilled.

Devotees who wish to perform special pujas at the Mahasen Maha Devalaya should kindly seek the permission and advice of the Chief Incumbent.

All necessary support and guidance for this will be provided by the Kirivehera Viharaya.

Planning a Pilgrimage?

Our staff can help you plan a visit that takes in Kirivehera and the neighbouring sacred sites.

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