Varana Rajamaha Vihara (Royal Temple) is an ancient temple which dates back to 307-267 BC. It is located close to Thihariya in the Gampaha district. The temple can be reached easily from the Colombo - Kandy road, a distance of about 3 km.
(A complete description of the royal temple 13/01/2025)
At present the Varana Rajamaha Vihara is a protected site under the Department of Archaeology.
The Vihara has been constructed by king Devanampiyathissa ( 307-267 BC)
Other kings who renovated the temple.
King Walagamba
King Nissankamalla
King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe
King Parakramabahu
King Walagamba | A popular belief
However, the popular belief in the locality is that the temple is a construction of King Walagamba. The reason could be the fact that there are many other 'royal temples' in the Gampaha district which had received the blessings of King Walagamba. During the Chola invasions, King Walagamba took refuge in the caves of the residual mountains which can be found in abundance in the Western Province, especially in the Gampaha district. The king had turned his hideouts later on as a mark of gratitude into places of worship and bestowed to Buddhist monks.
Other cave temples in the vicinity of Varana
Brahmin Inscriptions of Varana
Brahmin inscriptions found in the temple premises have been interpreted by Dr. Senarath Paranawithana. His interpretation has been published in his book Inscriptions of Ceylon (Part 1).
Bata-Majhimasa batika bata-Tisadatasa dane.
In English : "The gift of Lord Tissadatta, brother of Lord Magjihima.
The organization of the temple premises
The temple premises consists of three layers as follows. Each layer is connected with smoothly constructed flights of steps
1) Pahala Maluwa
2) Meda Maluwa
3) Ihala Maluwa
between pahala maluwa and Meda Maluwa
*Ihala Maluwa:
Ihala Maluwa also consists of stupa, a bo-tree and a cave shrine. The shrine is comparatively small than that of the Meda maluwa.
The view point:
The visitors to the temple can have a clear view of the surrounding area from the view point facing the west. The lowland stretches as far as the sea.
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