Delgamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya, located in the Kuruwita area of the Sabaragamuwa Province, holds one of the most consequential stories in Sri Lankan Buddhist history. For more than four decades during the 16th century, this quiet forest temple served as the secret hiding place of the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha — one of the most venerated objects in the entire Buddhist world. The ancient kurahan grinding stone in which the relic was concealed remains on display at the temple to this day, drawing pilgrims and history enthusiasts alike.
Why is Delgamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya historically significant?
The significance of Delgamuwa cannot be separated from the political turbulence of 16th-century Sri Lanka. When King Dharmapala of the Kotte Kingdom embraced Catholicism in 1557 under Portuguese influence, the custodians of the Tooth Relic feared for its safety. The Diyawadana Nilame (the lay custodian of the relic) and Hiripitiye Divana Rala swam the Diyawanna Oya river and carried the relic from Kotte to King Mayadunne of Sitawaka — the kingdom centred on what is now Avissawella.
Fearing an imminent Portuguese invasion, King Mayadunne ordered the relic to be hidden at Delgamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya. The incumbent monk of the temple, anticipating that the situation would worsen, commissioned two ivory replicas of the relic. One replica was left in the place of the original; the other was entrusted to Vidiya Bandara, son-in-law of King Mayadunne. The genuine relic was then sealed inside a kurahan gala — a stone used for grinding the millet-like grain called kurahan — and hidden within the temple.
The plan proved decisive. The Portuguese, having already destroyed the original Dalada Maligawa at Kotte and built a Catholic church over its foundations, pressed further into Sitawaka. They seized what they believed to be the Tooth Relic and transported it to Goa to be destroyed. When the Archbishop of Goa later learned that the object he held was a replica, Vidiya Bandara was captured in 1561 and forced to surrender the second ivory copy. The Archbishop had that replica pulverised in a mortar, the powder burned in a brazier, and the ashes cast into a river. The original relic, meanwhile, remained safely concealed inside the grinding stone at Delgamuwa.
How did the Tooth Relic reach Kandy from Delgamuwa?
The relic remained at Delgamuwa for over four decades. In 1592, when Konappu Bandara ascended the throne of Kandy under the royal name Wimaladharmasuriya I, the incumbent monk of Delgamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya handed over the authentic relic to the new king. Wimaladharmasuriya I enshrined it in Kandy, establishing the lineage of royal custodianship that continues today at the Temple of the Tooth — the Kandy Dalada Maligawa.
This transfer was not merely a religious event but a profound political act: possession of the Tooth Relic conferred legitimacy upon a Sinhalese ruler. The relic's safe passage through Delgamuwa helped ensure that the Kandyan kingdom could claim sovereign authority in the face of colonial pressure.
What can visitors see at Delgamuwa today?
The most compelling artefact at the temple is the original kurahan grinding stone in which the Tooth Relic was concealed. It is preserved carefully and forms the centrepiece of the temple's historical narrative. Beyond this remarkable object, visitors will find:
- An active Buddhist temple complex with resident monks and regular religious observances
- Traditional Sri Lankan temple architecture and painted interiors
- A peaceful forest setting characteristic of the Sabaragamuwa foothills
- Seasonal Buddhist festivals and poya day ceremonies open to devotees
The temple is a functioning place of worship, so visitors are asked to dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered — and remove footwear before entering shrine rooms.
How do I get to Delgamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya from Colombo?
The temple sits near Kuruwita, roughly 90 kilometres south-east of Colombo along the Colombo–Ratnapura main road. Two approach routes are available:
- Via Kuruwita town: A turn-off near Kuruwita Central College, directly opposite the Kuruwita Post Office, leads to the temple.
- Via Sri Saddhathissa Mawatha: A secondary approach from Higgashena leads to the temple, around two miles along this road.
By private car from Colombo, the journey typically takes around two to two-and-a-half hours depending on traffic. Public buses run regularly between Colombo and Ratnapura, with stops at Kuruwita, from where three-wheelers are available for the short onward journey. Arranging a private driver is the most convenient option if you plan to combine the visit with other sites in the Ratnapura or Sabaragamuwa region.
What is the best time to visit Delgamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya?
The temple can be visited year-round. Poya (full moon) days attract larger numbers of worshippers and offer a richer experience of active Buddhist ritual, though expect more crowds. The Sabaragamuwa region receives significant rainfall between May and September due to the south-west monsoon, so mornings are typically the most reliable time for a comfortable visit during that period. The temple's forest location means it stays relatively cool even on warm days.
Is Delgamuwa Rajamaha Viharaya suitable as a day trip from Colombo?
Yes, the temple works well as a focused half-day excursion from Colombo, or as part of a longer drive toward Ratnapura and the gem-mining highlands of Sabaragamuwa. It pairs naturally with a visit to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, which lies further south, or with a stop at Ratnapura — the traditional centre of Sri Lanka's gem trade — on the return journey. Because the drive involves navigating the busy Colombo–Ratnapura road, starting early in the morning is advisable.
What is the religious importance of the Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka?
The Tooth Relic (Dalada) of the Gautama Buddha is considered the most sacred Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka and one of the most revered in the broader Theravada world. Historically, possession of the relic was regarded as a sign of divine right to rule, and successive Sinhalese kings invested enormous resources in protecting and venerating it. The Esala Perahera Festival held annually in Kandy — one of Asia's largest religious processions — centres on the veneration of the Tooth Relic. Delgamuwa's role in protecting the relic during its most precarious decades makes the temple an irreplaceable chapter in that long story.
