Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya stands close to the heart of Matara town in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, quietly preserving more than a thousand years of Buddhist heritage. The precise founding of the temple is lost to time, but the Bo tree within the compound is believed to be over 1,000 years old — a living link to an era long before written records were kept in this part of the island.
What is the history of Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya?
The temple gained renewed prominence in the 18th century during a pivotal period for Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangaraja Thero (1698–1778), the foremost figure in the revival of Buddhist scholarship and the Sangha during that era, played a central role in restoring and reinvigorating this temple. His efforts were supported by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinhe (1747–1781), a patron of Buddhist culture who actively promoted the development of temples across the Kandyan Kingdom and beyond.
As a tangible reminder of royal patronage, a pair of large elephant tusks donated by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinhe can still be seen at the temple today. One tusk measures approximately seven feet in length and the other around five feet — remarkable artefacts that have survived the centuries intact.
What can you see inside the image house?
The temple's image house contains two principal statues of considerable historical and artistic interest. The first is a seated Buddha figure known as the Sandun Pilimaya, or Sandalwood Statue. Standing around three and a half feet tall including its Siraspatha (crown-like aureole), the statue is believed to have been carved from sandalwood and later covered with a lime plaster before being painted. It was salvaged from the earlier Tampita Viharaya — a distinctive type of elevated shrine built on pillars — that once occupied the site. Scholarly tradition attributes its commission to either Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangaraja Thero or his student Welivitiye Sangarakkitha Thero.
The second major sculpture is a reclining Buddha measuring 18 riyan (a traditional unit of measurement), flanked by the venerable disciples Sariputta and Moggalana Theros. Together, these two statues represent different eras of Sri Lankan Buddhist iconography within a single space.
The murals covering both the inner and outer walls of the image house were completed in 1862. Although they are relatively recent compared to the temple's overall history, they follow classical narrative traditions and depict scenes from the life of the Buddha alongside Jataka stories.
What makes the Pirith Mandapaya significant?
Among the temple's architectural treasures, the wooden Pirith Mandapaya — a pavilion used for the ritual chanting of protective verses — deserves particular attention. Built in 1842, this structure is regarded as a fine example of the southern variant of Kandyan-era woodcarving. The intricate carvings that adorn it demonstrate the skill of craftsmen working within a regional artistic tradition that blended Kandyan conventions with distinctly southern Sri Lankan sensibilities. Few comparable examples of this craftsmanship survive in such good condition today.
How does the Bo tree connect the temple to its ancient past?
The Bo tree (Ficus religiosa) at Hiththetiya is one of the most tangible clues to the temple's antiquity. Bo trees at sacred sites in Sri Lanka are often planted to mark the founding or consecration of a temple, and a tree of this estimated age places the site's origins well before any surviving written accounts. The tree is treated as a place of veneration in its own right, and it remains a focal point for worshippers visiting the compound.
How do I get to Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya from Colombo?
The temple is located near Matara, approximately 160 kilometres south of Colombo along the Southern Expressway (E01). By expressway the journey typically takes around two to two and a half hours by private vehicle. Matara is also served by the coastal railway line, and the temple can be reached from Matara town by tuk-tuk or a short taxi ride. For visitors combining the site with other Southern Province attractions, a Galle city tour makes a natural companion trip on the same coastal route.
When is the best time to visit Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya?
The temple is open to visitors throughout the year and follows standard Sri Lankan temple etiquette: dress modestly, remove footwear before entering the image house, and be mindful of ongoing religious observances. Visiting on Poya (full moon) days provides a vivid sense of the temple's living religious role, as local devotees gather to make offerings and participate in communal worship. The dry season along the Southern Province coast — roughly from December through to April — generally offers the most comfortable travel conditions, though the temple itself can be visited in any weather.
What other sites complement a visit to this temple?
Hiththetiya Rajamaha Viharaya pairs naturally with other heritage sites in and around Matara and the broader Southern Province. Travellers interested in the revival of Buddhism associated with Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangaraja Thero may wish to explore related temple circuits elsewhere in Sri Lanka. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies a short drive inland from Matara and provides a striking contrast to the cultural landscape of the coast. For those spending more time in the south, the colonial fortifications of Galle and the turtle conservation projects along the coast round out a diverse itinerary.
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