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Uda Tambana Dewagiri Raja Maha Viharaya

Uda Tambana lies between Bibile and Monaragala, about 28 km from Monaragala and 33 Km from Bibile. It is belived that this temple goes back to the period of king Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC).

According to the forklore, When the Mahinda Thero brought Buddism to the Island, a local called Thambara Gamarala went to see King Devanampiyatissa in Anuradhapura and requested to send a priest to the village. The King assigned the village to a priest called Anuradhapura Rewatha who was residing in Thantirimale and the thero travelled to the village with the Thambara Gamarala. The gamarala built this temple for the priest and it is said that the priest attained arhathhood in 3 months time.

This temple has also been called Thamba Wanaya Diwagiri in the Uwa Viharawamsaya and during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC) it has been called Uda Thambana Sri Saman Devagiri Viharaya.

Stupa of the temple is located above the temple and can be reached by climbing few steps. Unfortunately this stupa has not being able to escape from the treasure hunters and the top of the stupa is no more.

On the plafrom on which the stupa is built, there are large oil lamps made from stone and 4 stone flower pedestals. a set of steps on the west of the stupa takes you to the Bo Maluwa. Close to the Bo tree, there is an ancient Iron Wood Tree ( නා ගස) which is thought to be over 1000 years old. Close to these is a remains of a Tampita Viharaya ( a temple on pillars) which is believed to be built by queen suglalwathi of Ruhuna (12 Centuary).

There are 3 symbols carved on the the rock on wich the stupa lies. They are the Foot Print of a lion (සිංහ අඩිය), foot print of Buddha(ශ්‍රි පතුල් සටහන) and the Bahirawa (නාග බහිරව රූප). Some researchers believe that the Lions Foot Print is actually the Lion Symbol of the of the Uva regional King Kumarasinghe (1631-34). He is a son of King Wimaladharmasuriya I (1592 - 1604) of the Kandyan Kingdom. King Kumarasinghe had to flee to Goa and live as christian with the onslought of the Mayadunne of Seethawaka Kingdom. Two of his daughters became queens of Mayadunne.

Falklore also tell of a treasure hidden inside a cave in the Devagiri Viharaya. It is said that during the time of Mayadunne's onslaught ,the priest who was at the temple collected all the valuables of the temple hid it inside a cave and disrobed himself for the fear of Mayadunne.

Getting there

Busses travel from Monaragala to Thambana. Get down from Gamgodalanda junction and walk about 1/2 km towards Uda Dambana

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