Gatabaruwa Rajamaha Viharaya

 temple, mountain, interesting place

History of the Raja Maha Vihara, Getabaruwa

Raja Maha Vihara of Getabaruwa is located on the summit of famous Getabaru Kanda at an elevation of 1500 feet above the mean sea level in the village of Katapola between 45-47 mile posts on Gall Deniyaya main road, and within the area of authority of Divisional Secretary’s division of Kotapola in historic Matota, the birth place of many learned and wise sons and daughters of Mother Lanka. The mountain which gives a charming splendid scenic beauty even at a distance is surrounded by many guardian attendant mountains. On one side it is connected to Rakwana hills and the virgin Sinharaja forest and on the other side to Morawak Kanda mountain and is extended to the thick forest.
Natures splendid Inheritance

Natural beauty around the temple is charmingly attractive to the eye. It is rich with rare medicinal plants and local animal species. The peak is a unique creation of Mother Nature. The Raja Maha Vihara of Getabaruwa located on the peak is 1 ¼ miles from Kotapola Bazaar.
This age old rock temple is located in a cave of 30 feet which is a majestic creation of the Nature. Inside the care,there is a sleeping Buddha statue of 18 “riyanas” in length. On the side of the Vihara there
is the devale of god Ragguru Bandara and on the other side are the devalas of gods Vishnu and Kataragama.

History of the God Rajjuru Bandara of Getabaruwa and Morawak Korale

Morawak Korale had been under the administration of ancient Kandyan Kingdom. This korale is bounded on the north by Sinharaja forest of Sabaragamuwa. The path from Morawak Korale runs through Kurulu Korale, Kolonna Korale, Bulutota hills and Samangia on which summit Lord Buddha’s sacred foot print is preserved and then it leads to the Kandyan Kingdom.
Nobility of Bandaras and paying howage to Bandara devas has spread from Sath Korale to Kandyan kingdom. During the Polonnaru period the title “Bandara” was associated with the personnel who were very close to the royal family and they were in charge of the financial activities and were also known as “Bhandagarika” in short Bandaras were the chief personnel of the king’s Treasury.
In the year 1760, the governor had enquired from the Nayake Theros of Malvatu Vihara the method of succession to Sinhala Throne, Nayaka Theros of Malvatu Vihara had informed the governor that in the absence of a person from the royal family, the custom was to select a suitable person for the kingship from “Badaravatiya”.
Although Bandaras did not claim kingship directly, it can be decided that they held the position of leaders in remote regions. Bandaras who held regional leaderships had been deified in the passage of time. Historical documentary evidence bears testimony to this fact. As a result the concepts of “ Bandara Hath Kattuwa, Bandara Dolos Kattuwa and Bandara Hetahath Kattuwa had been rooted in the society.
In particular people of Morawak Korale, Kandabada Pattu and Giruwa Pattu in the Southern Province invoke blessings through Bandara Deva Kannalawwa which mentions Bandara Hath Kattuwa as follows:
1. Siddha Aluth Bandara 6. Kalngal Bandara
2. Menik Bandara 7. Rajjuru Bandara
3. Yaham Bandara
4. Kotte Bandara
5. Vanniye Bandara


God Rajjuru Bandara is addressed by several titles.
Batahira Deviyo, Rajjuru Bandara Diviyo, Patha Hamuduruwo and Getabaru Diviyo are few such titles.
As these gods enforce their powers in the western section of Ruhuna they are known as “ Batahira Devindu” or “Basnahira deviyan” bandara gods are known in various names and the cult of worshipping Bandara gods prevails mainly in Kandyan areas. The only Bandara god to whom low country people pay homage is the god Rajjuru Bandara.

phone +94415619919
+94412271275