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Historical viharaya takes centre stage this Vesak
View(s):This year’s National Vesak Festival is being held at the Telwatta Thotagamuwe Rathpath Rajamaha Viharaya in Hikkaduwa. The temple, steeped in history and legend, is the first temple in the Galle District chosen to host a National Vesak Festival.
The temple is believed to have been named Rathpath Viharaya as it used to be inhabited by Arahath Monks.
The temple achieved fame during the period when Ven Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera headed the temple’s Vijayaba Pirivena. The pirivena, built during the reign of King Vijayabahu in the 11th Century was renovated by King Parakramabahu IV in the 16th Century.
During Ven Sri Rahula Thera’s time as “Sangharaja” of the pirivena, it became an unparalleled centre of learning, with some 500 local and foreign students studying there. It also became famous as a centre for teaching different languages. Legend has it that Ven Sri Rahula Thera mastered the mystic arts, enabling him to summon devils to do his bidding. Several palanquins (dolawa) said to have been used by the Thera can be found at the temple even today.
The decision to choose the venue for this year’s National Vesak Festival was welcomed by many at a time when such historic places are often neglected.
Antiquities: A dolawa used centuries ago still stands
The largest statue of the God Vishnu in Sri Lanka
A statue of the Ven Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera, during whose time the pirivena was at its zenith
