Somawathi Chethiya (Somawathi Rajamaha Viharaya)
Legend has it that Somawathiya, built in the second century BC, houses the right tooth relic of Lord Buddha. According to the story, Prince Giri-aba and Princess Somawathi lived in a settlement called Somapura on the banks of the Mahaveli River. To fulfil his wife's wish, Prince Giri-aba built Somawathi Chethiya and asked Mahinda, a monk, to place Lord Buddha's right tooth relic in the relic chamber. This tooth relic was given to a serpent monarch named Jayasena during the distribution of leftover relics from the Buddha's cremation site, who placed it in a gold-plated stupa for worship in the realm of serpents. Upon the prince's request, Maha Thero Mahinda brought the tooth relic to be placed in the stupa he had built.
Once the stupa and five viharas were completed, the prince and princess gave the temple to Mahinda Maha Thero and sixty other monks. Many kings have made significant contributions to this center over time. Somawathiya was originally built on the eastern bank of the Ma...
Once the stupa and five viharas were completed, the prince and princess gave the temple to Mahinda Maha Thero and sixty other monks. Many kings have made significant contributions to this center over time. Somawathiya was originally built on the eastern bank of the Ma...
