Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya

Nestled in the peaceful plains of the central highlands, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya stands proudly as one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist temples and is believed to be the first place visited by Lord Buddha on the island. According to ancient sri lankan chronicles, Lord Buddha visited Mahiyangana nine months after attaining Enlightenment.

His presence brought harmony between Sri Lankan local tribes (Yaksha & Nagha), making the temple a symbol of peace from the very beginning. The original relics enshrined here turned the site into one of Sri Lanka’s earliest Buddhist centers. The stupa we see today has seen many transformations.

It was first built modestly but later expanded by several kings during the Anuradhapura and Kandyan periods. Each renovation added new cultural layers, making Mahiyangana a living timeline of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage.