Mahiyangana Temple 

Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Mahiyangana Sri Lanka. Mahiyanganaya is 72KM far away from Kandy. 

The Mahiyangana Temple is one such majestic site of worship which attracts a steady number of devotees throughout the year.Currently this temple has been declared as one of archaeological site in Sri Lanka. As per the historical records, researches and believes of Sri Lankan's Mahiyangana temple is identified as the location of the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka nine months after attaining enlightenment. 

History The Mahiyangana Temple

Lord Buddah visited the island for the first time to Mahiyangana After a nine months from the Enlightenment.  Thus it was his intention to ward off any evil forces and keep the way clear for the teachings of Buddhism to be spread.

At the time, as stated in the Mahavansa, the inhabitants were the Yakkas – demon worshippers and Nagas – snake worshippers.

When the Buddha arrived at Mahiyangana the Yakkas were gathered in a Garden called Mahanaga.When the Buddha appeared they were alarmed and inquired as to the reason for this intrusion. He replied by performing a miracle before their eyes – seated cross-legged in the air.

Bewildered, they begged him to spare their lives. Then Buddah asked that they listen to his sermon in return. Seated on the place where the Mahiyangana Chaithya stands now, he preached to the Yakkas who were spiritually elevated on hearing his teachings, and some of them attained Sotapanna (Sovan).



Lord Buddah Preached Yakkas - wall paint in Mahiyangana temple



A Yakka chieftain named Saman (who is now regarded as a deity)(Saman Deviyo) attained Sotapanna (Sovan) after listening to the Buddha's discourse, and asked for a token from the Buddha that they could worship in his absence. The Buddha had given him a handful of hair from his head, which Saman later enshrined in a small stupa, 10 feet (3.0 m) in height. This was the first stupa to be built in Sri Lanka  After the Parinirvana of the Buddha in 543 BC, an Arahant named Sarabhu brought the Lord Buddha's larynx, which had been recovered from the funeral pyre. This relic was also enshrined within the same stupa, which was enlarged to a height of 18 feet (5.5 m). 





Several kings have renovated and enlarged this stupa. Among them King Dutugamunu who were raised it to a height of 120 feet can be highlighted.  Other rulers such as Voharika Tissa, Sena II, Vijabahu I and Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe have carried out repairs and maintenance work at the temple. In 1942, a society was formed for the renovation of the temple under D.S Senanayaka. A new pinnacle was also added as part of the recent reconstruction work done during the period 1953 – 1980. In fact, a crystal-cut gemstone now adorns the pinnacle which was a gift from Myanmar (Burma) and weighs 14.5kg (32lbs).