Ras Vehera (Saseruwa purana Raja Maha Vihara)
From TheBuddhism.Net
Saseruwa had been a Buddhist monastery in the second century BC with more than 100 rock caves. Ruins of stupas, ancient moonstones and stone inscriptions are on the site. It is situated at Galgamuwa, in the Kurunegala district of North Central province.
One has to climb more than three hundred steps to reach the somewhat incomplete 13 meter high statue of Buddha carved on a rock with a missing “siraspatha” on the head and an unfinished ear. But, the beauty and the serenity is unmatched.
Three legends connect the Sasseruwa Buddha Statue with that of the Aukana Buddha image which is situated about 11 km away.One legend says that the cracks that appeared on the torso of the statue during the construction made the craftsman to abandon it & to create a new statue at Aukana.
The other legend narrates a competition between the master & his protege. According to the legend two great statues were crafted at the same time. The master’s more detailed Aukana Buddha was completed first & the protege disheartened of being upstaged by the master, abandoned his work of art.
The third says that King Dutugamunu, while going to war with King Elara had to camp in the area since “Malwathu Oya” (river Malwathu) was full to the brim and water was rapid hindering the Army’s movement. The king had given orders for his men not to be idle and do whatever they were skilled with. The craftsmen who were there had started to carve the Buddha image which they had to abandon when the river subsidized enabling the Army to cross it.
The sapling of the very first 32 saplings (Dethis Maha Bo Ankura) of the Sri Maha Bodhi in the Anuradhapura is thought to be planted by king Devampiyathissa (250 – 210 BC), stands majestically at a lower level to the Buddha image. It is said that on the day the tree was planted the area was lit by colourful rays of light (ras). Thus, the name ‘Ras Vehera’ was attached to this site. The tree is protected by a 10 feet tall 4 layers of tightly packed stones. This too is a unique feature comparable to bodigara seen in other temples.
There are two image houses in caves on the front and the back of the huge rock. The image house in front of the rock has been done by King Walagamba in 89-77 BC. At the entrance is a beautiful dragon arch & a seated Buddha statue with numerous wall paintings.
At the back image house lies a massive 39 feet long reclining Buddha with numerous other Buddha statues and wall paintings. one can walk right around this reclining statue which is a unique feature.
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Ras vehera is a monumental shrine in Halgamuwa village of Kurunegala district, Sri lanka. Ras vehera famed due to the monastery complex, giant Buddha statue carved on a rock and several rock caves. Amazing with the discovery of ruined dagobas, moonstones and stone inscriptions which dates back to the 2nd century B.C There are 99 caves in the beautiful jungle where 360 Buddhist monk where meditated. To reach the Buddha statue one have to climb about three hundred steps upwards. There is a Bo tree placed in the temple terrace. It seem that one of the 32 saplings of jaya Sri maha Bodhi was planted by King Devanampiya tissa dated (250-210 B.C). A meriturous sign appeared when the sacred tree was planted. It is said that the whole temple surrounding got lit by colorful rays of light. The history of the two massive statues of the Buddha located within has legends behind it and has archaeological puzzled.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this ancient monument.
Very nice