MALIGATHENNA TEMPLE | SRI LANKA | SL HIDEOUT
- last year
MALOGATHENNA TEMPLE
LOCATION = https://goo.gl/maps/QoJG1CPVmPDhMHTi7?coh=178572&entry=tt
The Maligatenna temple, Varana and the Gal Vihara at Attanagalla were three historic places of Buddhist interest that we visited not long ago.
Not far from Colombo, about two miles from the Tihariya junction turning to the right, we came to Maligatenna rock cave temple, our first destination. We could see a small dagaba, right on top of a high mountain, shining white amidst the green foliage, set against a clear blue sky.
In the temple premises are several caves, not very deep but with drip ledge brows, approximately 40- 50 ft. high. The caves are on different levels and sizes. As we walked up a few steps and went in, we could feel the coolness of the granite slabs beneath our unshod feet and the cool atmosphere within the cave.
The caves are at 3 levels, the largest being the main meditation centre. They were established in the time of kings and dates back to the time of Mahinda Thera. As a centre of Buddhism, it is well known from early times. This cave temple is also renowned for its association with King Walagamba who found refuge here when he was escaping from the Indian Chola invaders. Hiripitiya Rala had hidden King Walagamba here till he was able to form an army to counter Indian attacks.
LOCATION = https://goo.gl/maps/QoJG1CPVmPDhMHTi7?coh=178572&entry=tt
The Maligatenna temple, Varana and the Gal Vihara at Attanagalla were three historic places of Buddhist interest that we visited not long ago.
Not far from Colombo, about two miles from the Tihariya junction turning to the right, we came to Maligatenna rock cave temple, our first destination. We could see a small dagaba, right on top of a high mountain, shining white amidst the green foliage, set against a clear blue sky.
In the temple premises are several caves, not very deep but with drip ledge brows, approximately 40- 50 ft. high. The caves are on different levels and sizes. As we walked up a few steps and went in, we could feel the coolness of the granite slabs beneath our unshod feet and the cool atmosphere within the cave.
The caves are at 3 levels, the largest being the main meditation centre. They were established in the time of kings and dates back to the time of Mahinda Thera. As a centre of Buddhism, it is well known from early times. This cave temple is also renowned for its association with King Walagamba who found refuge here when he was escaping from the Indian Chola invaders. Hiripitiya Rala had hidden King Walagamba here till he was able to form an army to counter Indian attacks.