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Yatala Stupa

source : www.gamingamata.gov.lk

Yatala Dageba is believed to be built by regional king Mahanaga in the 3rd century BC on the grounds which his queen delivered a son. This stupa has been identified as Mani Chethiya and Yattalaya in various historical documents.

Mahanaga is a brother of King Devanampiyathissa (250-210 BC ). History states that that when Mahanaga was inspecting the construction of Walas Reservoir (වලස් වැව), the queen of Devanampiyathissa send him a bowl of Mangos with the top most one poisoned. Her intention was to kill Mahanaga to ensure the throne to her son after Devanampiyathissa. At that time the son was with his uncle at the tank and child ate the poisoned mango and died on the spot. Fearing reprisal he took his pregnant wife and escaped to Ruhuna where he built up his own regional kingdom surrounding Magama area.

Some belive that this was much larger stupa due the size of the the huge granite pinnacle (ගල් ඡත්‍රය) found on the grounds.

It is not known what was enshrined in this stupa but a large number of relic caskets has been discovered in the stupa.

This stupe was completely restored and a small opening has been left to observe the different phases of construction. The restoration work of the Yatala Stupa commenced in 1883 AD. It took over a century to complete the restoration. This stupa is surrounded by probably the oldest Elephant Wall in the country.

Image Souce : www.deepsouth.lk

On the ground of the stupa a statue of Avalokeshwara and a toilet stone is on display. They have been recovered from the monastery adjacent to the stupa.

The stupa is located between Debaraweva and Akurugoda on the Hambanthota - Kataragama Road and about a 1 1/2 km a way from Tissamaharama Stupa.

Routes

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See also other sites in the area

• Debarawewa Menik Rajamaha Viharaya
• Debarawewa Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya
• Sandagiriya Stupa
• Sandagirigodella
• Tissamaharama Stupa

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