Lahugala Magul Maha Viharaya
Lahugala Magul Maha Viharaya
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
17 reviews
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Silver Wings Tours
Wattala, Sri Lanka220 contributions
Nov 2019
Very calm and quiet temple. Legend says that King Kavan Tissa who ruled Anuradhapura married princess Viharamaha Devi at this place.
Written December 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samlanka
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka133 contributions
Feb 2014 • Solo
This is sure was the highlight of my solo tour around the north and east. After getting off the bus it is around 1km of walk. One of the moonstones is one of a kind in Sri Lanka. In this could see the mahouts along with the elephants.
Written February 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dasun R
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka162 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
This is a perfect location for archeology lovers, first i thought it will take only few minutes, but it took us around one hour to take some snaps and explore this wonderful site,
Written October 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian W
Montreal, Canada331 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Getting there in a tuk tuk from Arugam Bay was more fun than actually visiting the place! Nevertheless, peacefull and quiet place. Ok ruins. Took us about 30 min. to walk around.
Written July 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1LifeStand
Colombo, Sri Lanka5,343 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
This temple is built by King Kavanthissa in the 2nd Century BC at the location he married princess Vihara Maha Devi. Kavanthissa the father of the great Sinhalese King Dutugemunu.
The foundations of the “Magul Maduwa” where the wedding ceremony took place is still there. The entire complex had covered about 10,000 acres where ruins of a palace, moonstone , monastery, bo-maluwa, stupas, ponds etc. are scattered.
The moonstone here is said to be unique as it is the only one that depicts elephants with their mahouts on the moonstone .
The foundations of the “Magul Maduwa” where the wedding ceremony took place is still there. The entire complex had covered about 10,000 acres where ruins of a palace, moonstone , monastery, bo-maluwa, stupas, ponds etc. are scattered.
The moonstone here is said to be unique as it is the only one that depicts elephants with their mahouts on the moonstone .
Written January 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrishantha Perera
Colombo, Sri Lanka135 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Must visit place and enjoy the architecture of centuries ago. How nicely they have designed and very meaningful.
Supposed to be the place where King Kavantissa got married to Viharamaha Devi.
Supposed to be the place where King Kavantissa got married to Viharamaha Devi.
Written April 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seevali D
Colombo, Sri Lanka8,947 contributions
Feb 2020
I visited the archaeologically protected monument, Magul Maha Viharaya on 21st February 2020 together with others in a travel group. It is located along A4 - Siyambalanduwa - Potuvil Road. This is my second visit here. There is no entrance fee.
The approach is along a raised causeway. The whole temple complex is surrounded by water. On the right-hand side are ruins of steps that had been used to get into the water possibly for a swim.
The main temple at the entrance is dilapidated and is in a state of disrepair. When I visited in 2016, this building was intact where devotees could enter and pay homage.
A well-built solid parapet wall, about one metre tall, surrounds the 400-hectare complex. Reasonably well preserved archaeological ruins include a 9 metre high stupa on an upper terrace guarded by two lion statues on either side of its entrance, a chapter house used by priests to perform their religious rites and rituals, a protective structure encircling the bo tree called bodhigara and an image house that once housed buddha statues. The steppingstone called the moonstone, a semi-circular carved stone of about 2 metres in diameter has a row of elephants at the outer edge, a row of creepers in the middle followed by a row of lotus flower petals. This is said to be unusual and unique with clinging mahouts atop some elephants in the outer row.
The folklore has it that this is the place where the king Kavantissa married Vihara Maha Devi in second century BC. However, an inscription on an ancient stone pillar confirms that it had been renovated in 14th century AD (by another Viharamahadevi) and that its founder was King Dhathusena, who ruled between 473 to 455 AD.
There were many visitors. The maintenance at the site was inadequate. The garden could be cleaner and better looked after.
An interesting place with great archaeological significance - an important attraction in the Eastern Province.
The approach is along a raised causeway. The whole temple complex is surrounded by water. On the right-hand side are ruins of steps that had been used to get into the water possibly for a swim.
The main temple at the entrance is dilapidated and is in a state of disrepair. When I visited in 2016, this building was intact where devotees could enter and pay homage.
A well-built solid parapet wall, about one metre tall, surrounds the 400-hectare complex. Reasonably well preserved archaeological ruins include a 9 metre high stupa on an upper terrace guarded by two lion statues on either side of its entrance, a chapter house used by priests to perform their religious rites and rituals, a protective structure encircling the bo tree called bodhigara and an image house that once housed buddha statues. The steppingstone called the moonstone, a semi-circular carved stone of about 2 metres in diameter has a row of elephants at the outer edge, a row of creepers in the middle followed by a row of lotus flower petals. This is said to be unusual and unique with clinging mahouts atop some elephants in the outer row.
The folklore has it that this is the place where the king Kavantissa married Vihara Maha Devi in second century BC. However, an inscription on an ancient stone pillar confirms that it had been renovated in 14th century AD (by another Viharamahadevi) and that its founder was King Dhathusena, who ruled between 473 to 455 AD.
There were many visitors. The maintenance at the site was inadequate. The garden could be cleaner and better looked after.
An interesting place with great archaeological significance - an important attraction in the Eastern Province.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yasara S
Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka52 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
If you are a history or archaeological lover, you must go here on your journey to Arugambay. Its situated in Lahugala. A very peaceful place. Innocent people in the village can be seen. Archaeologically important calm place.
Written January 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NMW
Sydney, Australia141 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
If you are heading to Arugam Bay (south from Batticaloa or east from Monagarala) then you will invariably want to visit this idyllic and important archeological site.
Situated on the outskirts of the Lahugala National Park in Ampara District, the 'Magul Maha Viharaya' (Lahugala) ruins are nestled within a shady, forested area along a river bank.
There is a small site donation required (receipted).
You may see buses of well behaved and immaculately attired School Students or Pilgrims visiting while you are here, however not many foreign travellers seem to stop off, on their transit to or from Arugam Bay.
Sri Lanka is all about 'sightseeing'. Make sure you do so.
A very peaceful and atmospheric, partially restored Palace hamlet; that is definitely worth seeing.
Situated on the outskirts of the Lahugala National Park in Ampara District, the 'Magul Maha Viharaya' (Lahugala) ruins are nestled within a shady, forested area along a river bank.
There is a small site donation required (receipted).
You may see buses of well behaved and immaculately attired School Students or Pilgrims visiting while you are here, however not many foreign travellers seem to stop off, on their transit to or from Arugam Bay.
Sri Lanka is all about 'sightseeing'. Make sure you do so.
A very peaceful and atmospheric, partially restored Palace hamlet; that is definitely worth seeing.
Written March 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rinushka F
18 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Rarely visited unspoiled destination .. but a must see if you are in the area .. unique travel experience .. marvelous historic site
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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