The Magul Vehera or Magul Maha Viharaya is one of the most recent archeological sites in Sri Lanka. While other historic ruins including the palatial sites of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa surround the ancient temple complex, the placement of its isolated location, makes Magul Vehera a peaceful and tranquil site. Although the Magul Viharaya is at times overlooked and on other occasion considered insignificant by many due to its recent discovery and unpopulated surroundings, the story behind it makes the temple popular among historians. This is mainly due to the fact that its origins challenge the traditional tale of Kirinde (another historical site in SL) and the history of the Island itself.
It is said that during the reign of King Kavantissa a canoe washed ashore
Arugambay beach. A group of monks approaching the canoe found a fair maiden lying within it. Later did they realize it was Princess Devi, daughter of King Kelanitissa of Maya Rata, who was offered as sacrifice to appease the wrath of the sea-gods who threatened to drown the villages of Maya Rata by brining the sea unto land. Hearing this, King Kavantissa hastened to meet the Princess and later married her in keeping with tradition, and she became Queen Vihara Maha Devi. The Magul Poruwa on which the royal couple wedded could be seen amongst the ancient ruins at the Magul Maha Viharaya in Lahugala. Magul meaning the ceremony of marriage is the key identifier of the temple’s purpose. It is said that it was at this vihara the King and Queen celebrated their marriage in a grand wedding. Later they built a temple at the very same site in reverence of Buddhism and a sangha ashram that sheltered monks of the doctrine. The tale of the Magul Viharaya reveals that Princess Devi’s canoe had been washed ashore at Arugambay and not at Kirinde, as many believed today.
The entrance to the vihara is through a sandy footpath that cuts across a lotus pond. White lotuses bloom on the water surface and the surrounding is heady with their scent. Along the way you may come across a tortoise and openly displayed skeletal remains of an elephant head. The entire Vihara complex covers an extent of around 10,000 acres housing the ruins of a palace, moonstone, monastery, bo-maluwa, stupa,
ponds and a wedding hall. The remains of a white marble Buddha statue is seen held together with steel rods in one part of the ruins. There is also a stone wall three to four feet in height that could have been a fortress which was erected to protect the viharaya from invading attacks. The moonstone found on the left side of the complex has unique features with a row of elephants and creepers followed by a row of lotus petals. The row of elephants in the moonstone with their mahouts was exceptional and unique in design. In this moonstone the elephants have a man riding and clinging on to the animals while the traditional stepping stone has only elephants sans man. It is said to be the only one of its kind in the country.
Still in a stage of discovery, archeologists work to unravel its mysteries. At the temple light a clay lamp and place white lotuses on the stone slab. You will come to realize that the stillness of the surrounding is broken only by a soft blowing. The motionless stone pillars create a labyrinth of shadows while the sunset draws brilliant patterns in the sky. The Magul Maha Viharaya, old and beautiful becomes a part of the descending night.
