Three storeyed Sanghawasa at Thalpitiya Bodhiraja Maha Viharaya opens October 26

The Thalpitiya Bodhirajamaha Viharaya situated near Galle Road between Panadura and Wedduwa is a historic viharaya belonging to the Molligoda Pravachanodaya Piriven vihara tradition. The viharaya originated from the three to four decades old Bodhi situated at its premises.

This Bodhi is connected to the Dethispala Bodhi planted at the present Weligama Agrabodhi Viharaya during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa.

Since this viharaya originated from this Bodhi it is also well known as the Bodhidroomaramaya, because Sanskrit had a prominent place in the country during that time. When Ven Raigama Indrajothi Thera who held the highest Dharma Shastreeya honorary title in the 19th century came to reside in the Pravachanodaya Pirivena, he was made the trustee of this temple on the need and request of the people in the area. Accordingly the Thalpitiya Bodhidoomaramaya was linked to the Molligoda Pravachanodaya Piriven Viharaya.

Initially, Bhikkhus belonging to the Pravachanodaya Pirivena resided in this viharaya as an affiliated institution of Pravachanodaya Pirivena with the knowledge and approval of Ven Raigama Indrajothi Thera.

As a result of this link the Bodhidroomaramaya inclined more towards the literary sphere. The net result of that inclination is that the incumbent Viharadhipathi of this temple is rendering a national and international literary service centred round and attached to the Pali and Buddhism department of the Peradeniya University.

The present chief incumbent is Ven Prof Kotapitiye Rahula Thera who has directed the present development work of the temple. The Vihara Mandiraya built in stone at this viharaya under the dedicated efforts of the present chief incumbent was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 6, 2009. After the present viharadhipathi took over the viharaya he has been able to double the land area of the temple and build lasting edifices such as the Vihara Mandiraya, Dharmasala, danasala and the sanghavasa complete with a library.

Earlier, the viharaya could be accessed only from Galle Road. But the Viharadhipathi was instrumental in getting the state to takeover the road lying to the north of the viharaya and develop it as the main access road to the viharaya. It has now been named as 'Raja Maha Vihara Mawatha' by the Panadura Pradeshiya Sabha.

The Vihara Mandiraya was built of granite rock and rich wood carvings. An Ashta Mangala plaque is sculpted on the steps leading to the Vihara Mandiraya in memory of the 'Ashtamangala Pekada', an artefact of the Anuradhapura Era found at the Weligama Agrabodhi Viharaya.

The Dharmasala was built by Polonnaruwa District MP and chairman Euro Nippon Group Roshan Ranasinghe, Mrs Dinusha Ranasinghe and family in memory of his mother Mrs Margaret Gunatilleke. The Dharmasala is equipped with a dharmasana (seat) modelled on the throne of the last Sinhala king.

Initially, this viharaya had a dilapidated Sanghavasaya which was about 100 years old. It has been replaced with a new two storeyed Sanghavasa building with a library and Danasala which will be opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 26 at 4 pm.

The newly built library at the viharaya has a vilauble collection of books including a whole library of books donated by Prof (Mrs) Lilie de Silva, then Prof Emeritus of the Peradeniya University's Pali and Buddhist Department.

The new Danasala was built and donated by Mrs Kanthi Gunawardena of Thalpitiya in memory of her late brother.

The Sri Saranapala daham pasala maintained by the Viharaya is a well-known daham pasala in the region which has churned out a large number of disciplined citizens. Today it has a student population of 350 and a staff of over 15 teachers.

There are several social and religious associations attached to the viharaya. Among them are the Vihara Dayake Sabha, Bodhiraja Buddhist Association, Visakha Kulangana Samithi and the Daham Pasal Development Society.

- Ven Dr Medagampitiye Vijithdhamma Thera, Senior lecturer,Pali and Buddhist Studies Department,Sri Jayawardhanapura University