Isinbessagala Rajamaha Viharaya - Medawachchiya

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Isinbessagala Raja Maha Viharaya is a temple located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka close to Medawachchiya. Temples name is associated with honorable Arahat Mahinda Thero who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It is believed that Arahat Mahinda landed on this place first and then went to Mihinthalaya to meet the Sri Lankan King Devanampiyathissa. Name of the place is belived to be derived from this incident and losely translates as "place where the sage landed"



Some Sri Lankan buddhists believe that the temple is the location of ancient Isipathanaramaya where Lord Budhdha taught his first sermons of Dhamma.


Temple is situated near an Isolated hill next to the A 9 Road. Top of the hill contains the Dageba and a Bodhi Tree. Dageba has been built over an ancient Dageba built earlier. Excavations at the site has revealed an ancient Guard Stone and "Siripathul Gala" It is believed that the King Devanampiyathissa was the person behind converting this place to a Temple. Statue of the King is established on the top. Apart from that a memorial commorating Venerable Arahat Mahinda can be seen.




Hill can be accessed from two sides, from both the A 9 road and the Temple premises. Near the Temple premises of the Hill we can find a small cave known as "Arahath Guhawa" , a small pond and a Large Nuga Tree. An ancient rock inscription have been found at the Temple premises.





Top of the hill provides you a 360 degree view of the Intermedate / Perry plain of Sri Lanka. Many isolated hills in the area can be clearly seen. 


How to Reach


Temple can be easily reached from Colombo. It is situated next to the A - 9  just around 1.5 Km from Medawachchiya city. 


Location: Kandy - Jaffna Hwy, Sri Lanka

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