Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Trincomalee district in Eastern Province, which is among the sixteen or seventeen holiest Buddhist shrines Solosmasthana in Sri Lanka.
It was built during the reign of King Kavantissa (2nd century BC.) which consisting the Lalata Dathun Wahanse (sacred forehead bone) of Lord Buddha. Also it can be reached by both from land route and sea as well, sea route begins at Trincomalee to Muttur on boat and another 16 km by roads and the land route is via Kantale, to Allai which is approximately 45 km through dense forest.
According to the late Dr. R. L. Brohier, Seruwila region was a vast swamp or villu where the flood waters of the Mahaweli Ganga collected. This villu was the home of large flocks of teal (seru) during migratory period. That perhaps was how the place came to be known as Seruwila (Seeing Ceylon by R. L. Brohier).[1]
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It is believed that three viharas existed at this particular spot built during the periods of three former Buddhas named Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana and Kassapa with their relics enshrined and Gautama Buddha who was the last Buddha in this eon had personally visited this place and offered eight handfuls of 'Sapu' flowers, then wished that the temple which constructing in future should be named as Mangala viharaya.[2]
Later the Kingdom of Ruhuna was threatened by South Indian Chola and Pandya invaders during the reign of King Kavantissa (2nd century BC.) then the king had to evolve a strategy to prevent the disaster.
The King Kavantissa could make use of the loyalty and respect of the Sinhala nobles and the populace had for Buddhism to win over Princes Siva and Abhaya, his ally. The buddhist monks informed that sacred relic of Lord Buddha Lalata Dathun Wahanse which was in the possession of King Kavantissa was destined to be enshrined by him personally in a stupa to be built at Seru and that Lord Buddha had prophesied this would happen. After this King Kavantissa had marched with his army towards Seru and proclaiming the purpose of his visit asking all the landowners in and around Seru to come to his assistance. The sacred relics of the Lord Buddha, was enshrined in the stupa which was known as Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya. After the construction of the stupa King Kavantissa unified the entire portion of the country to the south of the Mahaweli and Kelani rivers then establish his capital at Mahagama. Meanwhile, the fame of the Seruwila shrine had spread far and wide and it became a great place of worship and pilgrimage.
Over the years, the stupa fell into decay under the pressure of the Tamil invasions from the north. But there are evidences in the literature that this area was under the purview of the Kandyan territory during the 17th century and the existence of this stupa. During the Western Colonial occupation of the country, priority was given to fertile western part of the island then as a result the arid dry zone neglected and left into wilderness.[3]
It was only in 1922 that the dagaba was re-discovered by Ven. Dambagasare Sumedhankara Thero and assisted by the Archeological Department, he restored the Stupa using remains of ancient structures still survive around the Stupa to conjecture the conservation work. The conservation was completed in 1931.
The Stupa and its environs covering approximately 85 acres had been declared as an Archaeological Reserve in 1962. After this the Department of Archaeology had been carrying out conservation work by stages. In view of the importance of this sacred shrine and to attract more pilgrims to the area, the Department of Town and Country Planning has drawn up a plan for the development of a new town complete with pilgrim rests, market areas etc. during 1970's.
On June 2009, it was refurbished and ceremonially opened for the veneration of a large number of devotees at a cost of nearly Rs. 25 million by the National Physical Planning Department under the guidance of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Mr.Dinesh Gunawardane.[4][5]