• Latest
Tales From Mathota

Tales From Mathota

December 2, 2022
Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

January 11, 2023
Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

January 13, 2023
Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

January 11, 2023
Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

January 11, 2023
Exclusive Screening of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ on its Global Premiere at KCC Multiplex

Exclusive Screening of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ on its Global Premiere at KCC Multiplex

January 11, 2023
Humble Journey of Podi Hamuduruwo

Humble Journey of Podi Hamuduruwo

December 1, 2022
KCC: Kandy’s Marvel

KCC: Kandy’s Marvel

December 1, 2022
Sweet Dreams and Serene Night

Sweet Dreams and Serene Night

December 1, 2022
Lashings of Nelli Juice: Jaffna’s Inimitable Nectar of Life

Lashings of Nelli Juice: Jaffna’s Inimitable Nectar of Life

December 1, 2022
Sustainable Island Tourism from Tenerife to Just to the Maldives

Sustainable Island Tourism from Tenerife to Just to the Maldives

November 8, 2022
Kumaradas Maapaana Mudaliyar: The 10th Custodian of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil

Kumaradas Maapaana Mudaliyar: The 10th Custodian of Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil

November 8, 2022
50 Hudson Yards Opens in New York

50 Hudson Yards Opens in New York

November 8, 2022
Retail
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Subscription
Advertise
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 2022
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
      • July 2022
      • August 2022
      • September 2022
      • October 2022
      • November 2022
      • December 2022
      • January 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Tales From Mathota

in August 2015, Featured
0 0
0
The sacred Bo tree, which provides  shade to the compound
The sacred Bo tree, which provides
shade to the compound

The weariness and fatigue of a long drive vanished as we walked into the peaceful realm of Mathota Rajamaha Viharaya, where the age old sacred Bo tree spread its branches to extend its protective shade, cooling the entire compound. The Bo leaves rustled in the afternoon breeze that blew by, soothing our senses. And onwards we went to explore the tales of history that hid beneath this rustic setting.

Words Hansani Bandara | Photographs BT Images

Situated in a quaint town in Mannar is the historic Mathota Rajamaha Viharaya, believed to have been a flourishing monastery long time ago. The temple has been named after the ancient port of Mahathiththa, which was also known as the port of Mathota in Mannar.

According to Ven Ambagahawave Sangarakkitha Thero, Chief Incumbent of the temple, the only records of written information on the Mathota temple are contained in the historical texts of Vihara Asna, a manuscript, which contains records of all historic temples of the Island, and the Purana Sinhala Bodhi Wansaya.

The historical significance of the temple is associated with many events that repainted the cultural fabric of the nation. Mathota is believed to be the place where Arahath Mahinda Thero entered the Island, while in his mission to introduce Buddhism to the country. It is also said to be one of the places where Arahath Sangamiththa Theri rested for a night, during her journey to Anuradhapura from Jaffna to deliver the sapling of the Sacred Bodhi Tree, which is revered today as the Sri Maha Bodhi.

The temple today is on a journey of revival due to the unwavering efforts of Ven Ambagahawave Sangarakkitha Thero. It was Sangarakkitha Thero who came to Mannar in 2009 and took measures to safeguard the temple with the help of authorities.

Artefacts found from the site include lids of pankendi (pot-like water containers), a damaged Bodhisathva statue, and the ruins of the foundation of the compound of the Bodhi tree, which are scattered across the premises. Such ruins suggest that the temple structure had been built on a kanupadam aththiwarama, where pillars are dug into stone blocks buried on the ground.

A stone inscription belonging to the Tenth Century AD, discovered from the temple grounds reveal of a meritorious act performed by an unnamed king in Salahu in Mannar. It also contains details of 500 Buddha statues that were present at the time. Mentioned further is information about the establishment of a victory pillar. Epigraphic data expresses that this pillar was brought for the benefit of the people of the south and assembled at a place named Kasatota. These stand testament to how the temple and the area have flourished in its prime.

Remnants of a bygone era can still be seen at the temple premises, narrating the stories from history and what may have been. Much of it has succumbed to decay, confirming the impermanent nature of all worldly things, which is a well-known Buddhist philosophy. But what is left remains intact and safeguarded, and with great effort, Ven Sangarakkitha Thero ensures that the heritage of the Mathota temple is preserved for posterity so that they too can see how our ancestors prospered.

Mathota Rajamaha Viharaya,
Thiruketheesvaran, Mannar
Tel: (+94 23) 205 0830

Our Lady Of Lourdes Church

Façade of the church
Façade of the church

In close proximity to the temple is ‘Our Lady of Lourdes Church’. It is said that this was the place where the statue of Our Lady of Madu was securely kept before it was brought to the current Church of Our Lady of Madu.

The church has also played a significant role in promoting Catholicism in the country, after the arrival of Portuguese in 1505. According to historical records, its origin goes as far back as 1950, when it was established in reverence of Our Lady of Madu. When the Dutch invaded the Island, there were attempts to supplant Roman Catholicism with Protestantism; and as a result many catholic churches were destroyed. Lourdes Church too suffered the same fate, but devotees were able to rescue the statue by hiding it in a tree hole in the jungle, where the current Madu Church is situated. Despite numerous efforts to destroy the church completely, even today, part of the church remains intact, and a grotto has been built in this part to perpetuate the original church of Our Lady of Madu.

Tags: Fascinating
TweetShareShare

Search

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka Online, the web edition of Sri Lanka’s leading monthly corporate publication. Founded in 1996, the magazine currently has a distribution of over 6,000 copies island-wide.

Recent News

  • Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling
  • Rumination and Emotional Process
  • Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Find Us

Explore Sri Lanka
20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing
R. A. De Mel Mawatha
Colombo 04
Sri Lanka.
(+94 11) 259 7991
(+94) 715 134 134
info@btoptions.com
btoptions.com

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 2022
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
      • July 2022
      • August 2022
      • September 2022
      • October 2022
      • November 2022
      • December 2022
      • January 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In