Tissamaharama - Travel Guide to Thissamaharama, Sri Lanka

. Tissamaharama

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Magama or the present day Thissamaharama was a capital of Ruhuna (3 century BC to 11 century AD) since the days of the regional king Mahanaga (3 century BC). Many monuments built during this period are still exist. The most prominent dagabos are Thissa, Ytala, Manic Vehera and Sandagiri vehera dotted around the town but within few kilometres.

About a kilometre form the Thissa Dagoba, recent excavations at Akurugoda has revealed the ancient town had a street system to conform to the four cardinal directions and the size of the citadel was second only to Anuradhapura. The streets have had pavements and seem to have had a zoning system.

Yatala Dagabo (Stupa) and Museum

Now completely restored, the openings reveal the various phases of construction to the visitors. Many artefacts found around the Kingdom of Ruhuna are displayed at the site museum. Among them are the ornate toilet stone and beautiful statues of Buddha, heads of Buddha and pedestals.

Situlpahuwa Temple

About 24Km from Thissa, situated with in the Yala Park is Situlpahuwa monastic complex. According to the ancient chronicles this has been a centre of Buddhist meditation and one of the largest housing up to 12000 monks. There are many drip edge caves some with donator inscriptions. Few dozens of pillars at Maha Situlpahuwa is considered remains of a preaching hall.

Yala National park

About 35 Km from Thissamaharama is the country’s largest and most visited national park the Yala National Park. There are numerous kinds of animals wander around the park including elephants peacocks and the leopards. During the pre-Christian era this area has been a centre of Buddhism with numerous monasteries. More than 50 inscriptions have been found which dates from 2nd to 1st century BC