Page 28 - RASAS_2022_Abstract_Volume_07

RASAS 2022- 05

A Historical Study of Devinuwara Sacred Area

Pabasara, H.K.
Department of History and Archaeology, University of Ruhuna.
kavinn178@gmail.com

Devinuwara is one of the most religiously prosperous villages in the Southern Province.
My research problem is Why the Devinuwara sacred area is important to Sri Lankan
Buddhists. My objectives of in this study are to conduct a detailed research on the
historical background of the Devinuwara Rajamaha Viharaya and Examined Historical
values and Religious values of Sri Vishnu maha devalaya. The importance of this study
is, this study based on an investigative study of the Devinuwara Historical Sacred Area
which has such a great historical value. I obtained data from Historical re-reading, field
study, and interviews under the Sociological Research Methodology. Parama
Vichithrarama Raja Maha Viharaya is even older than the Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya.
According to Sinhala chronicles, the construction of the Devinuwara temple was first
entrusted to King Dapulusen, then to King Agrabodhi VI and finally to King
Manavamma (Chapter III, n.d.). Built by King Dappula II at the Devinuwara Maha
Vihara Shrine between 660 and 665 A.D, the Bubble Chaitya is still a captivating sight
in the minds of the Buddhists. The old ‘Oth’ Statue was erected by King Panditha
Parakramabahu IV, the fourth king of Kurunegala in the year 1306 AD (Sirisunanda,
2009). The "sitipilima wiharaya” in devinuwara made by King Buwanekabahu was
destroyed by the Portuguese (Sirisunanda, 2009). Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya is one of
the most important places in the sacred city of Devinuwara. Locals believe that Lord
Vishnu resides in the Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya. Daily offerings are made to Lord
Vishnu and the Esala Perahera is held every year during the month of Esala. In this
research I concluded several points. I can say that all the people in the Devinuwara area
are Buddhists and all the Buddhists believe and respect Lord Vishnu and therefore the
sacred place of Devinuwara is revered and worshiped by the Sri Lankan Buddhists.

Keywords: - Buddhists, Dapulusen, Devinuwara, Esala, Lord Vishnu

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