16 scared places in our country
(16 main places of worship)
Solosmasthana
Solosmasthana
are 16 sacred places in Sri Lanka, believed by Buddhists to have been
hallowed by visits of Gautama Buddha. These places of worship are among
the most important religious locations in Sri Lanka, and are located
throughout the country. Ancient Buddhist and historical sources of Sri
Lanka assert that the Buddha visited the country on three occasions.
These three visits are given in some detail in the ancient chronicle
Mahavamsa, which describes his journeys to eleven of the Solosmasthana.
Other sources such as the Pujavaliya, Samantapasadika and Butsarana also
mention these visits.
They are,
Maiyanganaya
Nagadeepaya
Kelaniya
Sri padaya
Divaguhawa
Deegawapiya
Muthiyanganaya
Thisssamaharamaya
Sri maha bodhiya
Mirisawetiya
Ruwanweliseya
Thuparamaya
Bhayagiriya
Jethawanaya
Selachithya
Kiriwehera
Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara
Pali name : Mahiyanganam
Construction
:Built
during the lifetime of Buddha, it is the first ever stupa to be
constructed in Sri Lanka. The temple enshrines a lock of hair given by
Buddha to Saman, a local chieftain and later a Buddhist deity, during
his first visit to the island, 9 months after attaining enlightenment.
Location : Mahiyangana, Uva
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Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya
Pali name : Nagadipam
Construction :
Constructed by the two warring Naga 
kings,
Chulodara and Mahodara, on the site where Buddha, during his second
visit to Sri Lanka, intervened and mediated in settling a dispute over
the possession of a gem-studded throne. This throne was later enshrined
in this stupa. Date : 1st century CE
kings,
Chulodara and Mahodara, on the site where Buddha, during his second
visit to Sri Lanka, intervened and mediated in settling a dispute over
the possession of a gem-studded throne. This throne was later enshrined
in this stupa. Date : 1st century CELocation : Nagadeepa, Northern Province
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Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Pali name : Kalyanam
Construction :
Built
by Naga king Maniakkika, thetemple, hallowed during the third and final
visit of Buddha to Sri Lanka enshrines a gem studded throne on which
the Buddha sat and preached.
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Sri Pada
සමනළ කන්ද
Pali name : Padalancanam
Construction :
The sacred left footprint imprinted
by Buddha on his third visit to Sri Lanka at the apex of the mountain.
Vijayabahu I first built resting houses for pilgrims during his reign.
Date : 519/520 BC location
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Diva Guhava
(Batatotalena Cave)
Pali name : Divaguham
Construction :
Natural. The cave in which Buddha spent the day after placing his footprint on Sri Pada. The place is yet unidentified
location : Sudagala, Sabaragamuwa
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Deegavapi Raja Maha Viharaya
දීඝවාපි
Pali name : Dighavapi
Construction :
Constructed
by Saddha Tissa enshriningrelics of the Buddha, at the site where
Buddha spent sometime with Arhants absorbed in ecstatic meditation,
during his final visit.
Date : 137 BCLocation : Ampara District, Eastern Province
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Muthiyangana Raja MahaVihara
Pali name : CetiyancaMutiyanganam
Construction :
Erected by DevanampiyaTissa enshriningrelics of Buddha. The site has been consecrated by Lord Buddha, who spent a few moments absorbed in ecstatic meditation.
Location : Badulla, Uva Province
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Tissamaharama Raja MahaVihara
Construction :Pali name : TissaMahaviharanca
Built by KavanTissa it is one of the
largest stupas in Ruhuna. The Silpasena Pirivena has been at this site.
Date : 2nd century BC
Location : Tissamaharama, Southern Province
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Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
ජය ශ්රි මහා බොධිය
Pali name : Bodhinn
Construction :
The
southern branch from the Bodhi Tree atBodh Gaya under which Buddha
attained Enlightenment. Planted during the reign of DevanampiyaTissa
Date : 288 BC
Location : Anuradhapura, North Central Province
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MirisawetiyaVihara
Pali name : Maricavattiyam
Construction :
Built by Dutugamunu with the relic studded scepter of the King deposited in the stupa
Date : 2nd century BC
Location : Anuradhapura, North Central Province
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Ruwanwelisaya
Pali name : Suvarnamali MahaCeti
Construction :
Built by Dutugamunu over an impressive collection of relics
Date : c. 140 BC
Location : Anuradhapura, North Central Province
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Thuparamaya
Pali name : Tuparama
Construction :
A relic shrine, the original structure was built byDevanampiyaTissa. The temple built to containthe right Clavicle of Buddha.
Date : 246 BC
Location : Anuradhapura, North Central Province
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Abhayagirivihāra
Pali name : Bhayagirim
Construction :
Constructed
on the site of a Jaina temple by Valagamba to commemorate the
reconquering of the kingdom from foreign usurpers who had deposed him
and occupied the throne for 15 year. The stupa enshrines relics of
Buddha and the Tripitaka inscribed in gold leaves
Date : 2nd century BC
Location : Anuradhapura, North Central Province
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Jetavanaramaya
ජේතවනාරාමය
Pali name : Jetavanam
Construction : Construction begun by Mahasenaand finished by his successor Sirimeghavanna.The waist-band used by Buddha is said to be enshrined
Date : 4th century BC
Location : Anuradhapura, North Central Province
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SelaCetiya
Construction :
LanjaTissa.
The site where Mahinda metDevanampiyaTissa and converted him to
Buddhism. The UrnaLome, the sacred hair relic between the eyebrows, is
said to be enshrined in here.
Date : 1st century BC
Location : Anuradhapura, North Central Province
SelaCetiya
is one of the 16 main places of worship or Solosmasthana and is
situated to the west of Jetavanaramaya in the ancient sacred city of
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This was constructed by King Lajjitissa who
ruled in the 1st century BC. The diameter of the base of the stupa is 37
½ feet. This stupa has been given this name as the platform and stupa
has been constructed in stone. A moonstone and guardstones can be seen
here.
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KiriVehera
Pali name : Thathakacaragamakam
Construction :
First built by Mahasena, the temple enshrines the golden seat, from which Buddha delivered a sermon, a lock of hair and the royal sword (magulkaduwa) used by Prince Siddhartha to cut off his hair at the time of the Great Renunciation
Date : 3rd century BC
Location : Kataragama, Uva
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