Temple with ancient Tempita vihara – By M.A.R. Manukulasooriya

The Badagamuwa Raja Maha Vihara is a Buddhist temple with an ancient Tempita vihara built during the era of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747- 1781 A.D.) of the Kandyan kingdom. The temple lies bordering the Bdagamuwa Forest reserve on the Kurunegala-Dambulla main road.

A Tempita vihara is a structure on a wooden platform which rests on a number of stone stumps usually 3-4 feet tall. The roof is held by a structure built of timber and walls are generally made of wattle and daub.

The original Tempita Vihara of the temple had been built on eight pillars and is said to have had three stories. The enlarged ground floor had been used as the Pohoya Geya. The walls of the image house had been covered in murals. However, this Tempita vihara is now limited to a single floor.

All the statues of the temple have been carved of sandalwood, plastered and painted.

A Dagaba, a shrine room and a Dhamma hall have been newly constructed under the leadership of Viharadhipathi Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera who is also the Viharadhipathi of historical Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara. Almost all the old structures in the temple premises have been renovated and the surrounding area has been made attractive. The newly built structures were vested in the Buddha Sasana at a recent ceremony held with the participation of over 100 bhikkhus including Ven. Anunayaka Theras of the Malwathu and the Asgiri Chapters.