15/09/2023
𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚
Maniyamgama temple was built by King Walagamba in 103 -77 BC.
Prince Mayadunne had close connections with Maniyamgama temple priests even before the murder of King Vijayaba in 1521 AD. In 1519, Prince Mayadunne completed the Buddha Statue and God Vishnu Statue and donated the Penangoda paddy field to the temple.
There is a large cave of 150 * 62 feet in which the Pagoda, Shrine-room, Library, Living-room, and Alms-giving hall have been built. The width of the shrine-room wall is 6 feet. Maniyangama's historical and legendary identity extends from the early Anuradhapura period to the Medieval Kingdom of Seethawaka.
The Kingdom of Seethawaka was established around the former Maniyangama. Even in the battles fought between the Kotte – Sitawake Kingdoms and the Portuguese, Maniyangama played an essential part as it was a strategic military junction with easy access to Kaduwela, Hanwella, Raigama Kotte, and Colombo.
Maniyangama Raja Maha Viharaya, or the Gala Yata Viharaya, was a delightfully positioned cave temple. A prominent drip ledge could be seen on the brow of the enormous boulder that made the cave.
A small pure white dagoba balanced on a rocky base stood at one end under the cave roof's colossal boulder. The rest of the cave roof was utilized to tuck the shrine room and the old Kandyan period' Avasa Ge (priests' residence). The architecture of this temple roof was different from that of the usual cave temples.
Its typical Kandyan roofs that abutted the cave stood out in different lengths, heights, and shapes, giving it a superb three-dimensional effect. The roof of the shrine room had two layers at different heights laced by a simple wooden barge board. In front of the shrine room is a long verandah standing on lean pillars. Two dressed granite pillars about 3 feet tall with flat tops shaped like a leaf marked one of the entrances.
A striking makara torana framed the inner shrine room door, including a reclining Buddha statue, a standing Buddha statue, and a figure of the guardian deity, God Vishnu. The mural paintings adorning the inner shrine room walls and ceiling date to the Kandyan period. Of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe. They are faded but pleasing to the eye. The rock ceiling has been decorated with flower designs.
Many acts of vandalism had been perpetrated in the temple, even recently, a few years back, by callous, greedy treasure hunters. Sadly, though repaired by the Archaeological Department, the damage is obvious enough.
The origin of the Maniyangama Raja Maha Viharaya is believed to be from the early Anuradhapura period. Traditionally, the cave shrine (like most other cave shrines) is attributed to King Valagamba of the 1st century BC, who is believed to have sheltered here during the Chola invasion. However, the recognition and prominence given to the vihara is attributed to King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781 AD ) of Kandy, who restored and developed the vihara. It is recorded in a Sannasa presented by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe that this temple came to be designated as Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe Viharaya.
From 1766 AD, during the reign of Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, he commenced an annual procession called the Karal Perahera on Duruthu Full Moon Day in January. It is called the Karal Perahera because it originated after harvesting the temple paddy lands at Andaragaha, close to the temple. During its early days, it was held under royal patronage. The chief patron of the pageant was the Lewke Wijesundara Rajakaruna Senaviratne, who later became the Lewke Dissawe. Later, he also functioned as the Basnayake Nilame at its annual Procession.
Another exciting building belonging to the temple can be seen high on a hill to the side of the temple. This is the temple Dharmasalawa. Its typical Kandyan architecture, with three vaulted roofs culminating in a pinnacle and elevated setting, is ideally framed by the backdrop of a blue-purple hill.Inside, an octagonal Pirith Mandapaya makes up the center. Several elegant stone pillars can also be seen. The hall is named Keerthi Dharmasalawa in immortal memory of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, during whose reign it is believed to have been built.
A path leading to a small rock pool begins from the dagoba side of the cave and winds in and out of a rocky, boulder-littered wilderness. Sometimes, you hear the gurgling of subterranean waterways, and sometimes you see them above ground—a very short and easy walk through a natural rock.
A miniature cave walk – a mild adventure – delightful. The path leads to a small natural rock pool. The water is clear, like glass. It is not deep, and its soft golden sandy bottom could be seen in contrast to the green around it.
Aluth Sahal Mngallaya [New Rice Festival] began here by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe in 1766. Annually, on every full moon day of January, a village boy considered an elephant takes a prince back to the paddy field to take new rice and give it to the temple as a tradition. This festival is combined with the complete Procession called 'Karal Perehera.' The Cannon given by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe is still used to indicate the starting time of the Procession.