Janet's Journal

Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya, is one of the most venerated ancient royal temples in Sri Lanka.  The temple is attributed to King Gotabaya (253-266 AD) and is a registered archaeological site.

An important building in this temple is the classical, round Vatadage, the only one remaining in Sri Lanka that is still intact, though heavily modified at various times. A Vatadage is built as a shelter for a stupa containing precious relics.  Inside are very old murals and sculptures showing King Sirisangabo’s story (see below).

Behind the Vadatage  is a series of modern sculptures donated by the Chien Fo Shan Buddhist community in Taiwan in remembrance of the Most Venerable Chan (Zen)Master Bai Yun, on the first anniversary of his death.  Presented on the full moon day in May 2012.

On full moon Poya Days the temple and surrounds are crowded with worshippers.  

At other times it is a calm, peaceful site to visit. Just outside the gate and across the road there are some steps leading down to the Attanagalu Oya. A little time spent dangling your feet in the cool, fast flowing river is very soothing.

Here is an abbreviated version of the popular folk legend of King Sri Sangabo and the story behind Attanagalla.

Three friends, Sangabodhi, Gotabhaya and Sangathissa went to Anuradhapure to serve King Vijaya.  Sangathissa conspired to kill the king and had himself crowned, ruling for just four years before being poisoned and dying.  Sangabodhi was then crowned king, becoming recognized as the most pious and virtuous king.  Gotabhaya then raised an army to take the kingdom for himself .

King Sirisangabo didn’t want to shed blood of the troops from either party and left the city with only a piece of cloth to filter water. He then lived a simple life in Attanagalla as a hermit meditating most of the time.

Prince Gotabaya began searching for him and killed many innocent people suspecting they were the king. A bounty was offered for the head of Sirisangabo, and people began to kill people bringing the heads to the palace to get the money. 

One day a passing peasant offered Sirisangabo a meal not knowing he was the king and recounted the story to him. 

This worried the king. Hearing of the bounty offered for his head, and the deaths of innocent he revealed that he was the king and asked the peasant to cut his head and to get the money. The peasant refused and the king himself separated his own head and offered it to the peasant. 

King Gotabaya then, presumably filled with remorse, built a Stupa on the spot.  One hundred years later a monk, practicing meditation, achieved enlightenment there.  The king at the time, Upathissa, was so pleased that he built a five story monastery on the site.

This is the story behind Attanagalla.  The place where the king lived and the pond he went to for water can still be seen.