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The archaeological and historical heritage of Halbe Rajamaha Viharaya


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                  This temple is situated in Kurunagala district.we can meet this “Halbe rajamaha Viharaya”  in Kurunagala-Puththalama road there are a gravel road go 4 miles to Kanukatiya junction. This “Halbe” village is in the Wanni Hathpaththuwe ” Magul gama” canton. When come to this temple you should pass through “Malpanawa” and “Abukkagama” villages. This temple is in the east side of the village. 

 

                   According to historical details about this “Halbe rajamaha Viharaya” this temple was belonging to period of Polonnaruwa. We can prove it  the ruins and the “Tam lipiya” is in here. This “Tam Lipiya” was belonging to c:e 10 century and the “Tampita Viharaya” was belonging to period of Kandy. In that manner this temple show many period.In history the king ”Walagamba” use this area for organized their army.

 

                   No one research the archaeological this “Halbe rajamaha Viharaya”, but we can get the idea about this temple because of the ruins around it. The oldest building was the caion. In today it is reconstructed but there ruins all around the caion. There are four tombs  inside of the caion. One of the tomb there a symbol of the sacred foot. One of the temple there are a “Hiti Pilimaya” there fetters made by stone lotus flower. The bricks use for caion belonging to 4 century.

 

                     The other special thing of this temple is the Tampita viharaya“. There are 16 stone towers according to four towers  was built in step by three lines and two towers by in two lines. The  storey was made by wood. In side of the temple there “Hidi Pilimaya” and another idol was in here. Inside of the  joss house there are painting. Meanwhile of that painting there is “Jathaka Katha” and “Budu Seritha” painted here. But these stone towers which use for “Tampita Viharaya” was bring another building .Those stone towers are older than “Tampita Viharaya”. This Tampita viharaya“ was built in period of Kandy. Use old stone tower for made this temple. According to ruins scattered here, there a moonstone, shrine room and “Uposathagaraya”.

 

                      There are a “Tam lipiya” including this “Tampita Viharaya”.That tower is in the north side of the temple. The letter said ,in that time there are three officer who gave the privilege for this temple. and also this “Tam lipiya” also named “Serisagabo Mapurmuka”. Identify this named iV king “Kasep” . In that manner this “Halbe rajamaha Viharaya” was belong to period of Polonnaruwa.  This temple was destroyed because of the Portuguese, Dutch and other foreign attack.  after-ward this area was grasp those people. So that reason this “Rajamaha viharaya” was destroyed. Later this area become willd.

 

 

                   In Kurunagala district this “Halbe rajamaha Viharaya” is the best place for archaeologist and historian.

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