Distance from Arugam Bay – 29.1 km (43 minutes)
Introduction Tharulengala Raja Maha Viharaya
Located in Hulanuge within the Ampara District, Tharulengala Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient forest monastery with deep historical roots. The temple stands atop a 633-foot rocky hill known as Karadahela, offering both spiritual and scenic value.
Historians believe the site dates back to the era of King Kavantissa, before the 2nd century BC. In earlier times, it was referred to as Habutagala Viharaya and Karadahela Viharaya.
Today, the area consists mainly of stone ruins scattered across approximately 20 acres of forest, reflecting the remains of what was once an important monastic complex.
Distinctive Features
The most remarkable feature of Tharulengala is its 41-foot reclining Buddha statue, constructed using clay and brick. It is regarded as the second oldest reclining Buddha statue in Sri Lanka.
This statue is housed inside a natural drip-ledge cave measuring approximately:
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175 feet in length
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41 feet in depth
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31 feet in height
The cave functions as the main image house of the temple. Unfortunately, the statue has suffered serious damage over the years due to treasure hunting activities.
How to Reach Tharulengala Raja Maha Viharaya
From Arugam Bay, travel along the Colombo – Batticaloa Highway, passing through Sengamuwa and Lahugala, until you reach Hulanuge. From there, follow local access roads leading up toward the Karadahela hill to reach the temple site.
Tharulengala Raja Maha Viharaya remains a quiet and historically significant location, offering visitors a combination of archaeology, forest surroundings, and ancient Buddhist heritage.