Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya

Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya

Matara Hiththatiya Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Temple lying very close to Matara town. The beginning of the temple is unknown, but the Bo Tree at the temple is believed to be over 1000 years old. This temple has been revived in the 18th century with the resurgence of Buddhist philosophy by Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangaraja Thero (1698 – 1778). King Kirthi Sri Rajasinhe (1747 – 1781) has also promoted development of this temple and even today, a pair of large elephant tusks donated by the king can be found at the temple. One tusk is 7 feet in length and the other 5 feet.

The seated Buddha statue at the current image house has been salvaged from the Tampita Viharaya. This statue also known as the Sandun Pilimaya or the Sandalwood Statue is thought to be carved out of sandalwood and plastered with lime and then painted. This 3 1/2 feet tall statue with its Siraspatha is thought to be commissioned by either Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangaraja Thero or by his student Welivitiye Sangarakkitha Thero.

In addition, an 18 riyan reclining Buddha statue flanked by Sariputta and Moggalana Theros can be seen in this image house. The current murals on the inner and outer wall of the image house has been done in 1862. The temple also owns a wooden Pirith Mandapaya built in 1842. The carvings on this structure is considered as an excellent example of the southern art form during the Kandyan era.

Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya
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About Matara District

Matara District, located in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, is renowned for its coastal beauty, rich history, and thriving local culture. Bordered by the Indian Ocean, it features stunning beaches like Polhena and Mirissa, which are popular for swimming and whale watching. The district's economy is driven by agriculture, particularly coconut and tea cultivation, as well as fishing. Historical landmarks such as Matara Fort and the Dondra Head Lighthouse highlight the area's colonial past. With its mix of natural attractions and cultural heritage, Matara District is a captivating destination for both locals and tourists.

About Southern Province

The Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle,Matara and Hambantota. Subsistence farming and fishing is the main source of income for the vast majority of the people of this region.

Important landmarks of the Southern Province include the wildlife sanctuaries of the Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, the holy city of Kataragama, and the ancient cities of Tissamaharama, Kirinda and Galle. (Although Galle is an ancient city, almost nothing survives from before the Portuguese invasion.) During the Portuguese period there were two famous Sinhalese poets called Andare who was from Dickwella and Gajaman Nona who was from Denipitiya in Matara District, composing poems on common man.

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