Tissamaharama Rajamaha Viharaya
Mahanaga, brother of King Devanampiyathissa (250-210 BC), was inspecting the construction of the Walas Reservoir (වලස් වැව) when the queen of Devanampiyathissa sent him a bowl of mangoes with the top one poisoned. Her intention was to kill Mahanaga to ensure the throne for her son after Devanampiyathissa. However, the son was with his uncle at the tank, and he ate the poisoned mango, dying instantly. Fearing retaliation, Mahanaga took his pregnant wife and escaped to Ruhuna, where he established his own regional kingdom around the Magama area.
The chronicles state that King Ilanaga (38-44) enlarged this stupa, and it was later renovated by King Voharika Tissa (214-236) and King Vijayabahu (1070-1110). In 1858, Wepathaira Sumana Thera rediscovered the Thissamaharama Vihara and began restoration work, living in a hut near the stupa to supervise the work himself. It took 16 years to complete the renovation of the Garbhaya, the semi-spherical part of the stupa that is 86 feet high. Howe...
The chronicles state that King Ilanaga (38-44) enlarged this stupa, and it was later renovated by King Voharika Tissa (214-236) and King Vijayabahu (1070-1110). In 1858, Wepathaira Sumana Thera rediscovered the Thissamaharama Vihara and began restoration work, living in a hut near the stupa to supervise the work himself. It took 16 years to complete the renovation of the Garbhaya, the semi-spherical part of the stupa that is 86 feet high. Howe...
