A temple complex east of Matara famous for one of Sri Lanka's largest seated Buddha statues and a tunnel of painted murals.

Overview

Weherahena Purwarama Rajamaha Viharaya is best known for its colossal seated Buddha statue, one of the tallest in the country, towering above the surrounding coconut land. Beneath and around it runs an artificial cave tunnel decorated with hundreds of brightly painted murals depicting the life of the Buddha and scenes of Buddhist teaching, including vivid images of the hells. The temple is an active place of worship and hosts a popular illuminated festival at Vesak.

History

The temple grew around its underground image house and murals in the 20th century, and the great seated Buddha statue that dominates the site was completed in the later 20th century, becoming a well-known landmark of the Matara area and a focus of local pilgrimage.