Kuragala Temple 🦁

     Kuragala is an ancient Buddhist monastery in the Balangoda region of Sri Lanka, 😍😍 approximately 24 km from Balangoda town. The site dates back to the 2nd century BC and is officially recognized by the Sri Lankan government. 💖😇
    Among the ancient Buddhist heritage, the remains of a Muslim shrine can also be found. Arabic inscriptions and a dervish tombstone link the shrine to old Muslim traditions. A mihrab carved into the rock indicates the direction of the Kaaba (qibla). Among the structures built in the 20th century, the historic use of the shrine is evident. 💚

    We went to Kuragala a year ago during Vesak. Earlier, the old temple was broken down and only ruins remained, but now it has been newly renovated. It has been reformed under the leadership of Vaturakumbure Dhammarathana Nayaka Thero. 🙏😇

    One of the special features of this is the 25 feet wide and 100 feet high steps built from the foot of the Lagumgala which leads to the holy ground. At the beginning of it, there is a lion figure in the middle of the steps. It has been built in memory of Sangha Fathers and lay Buddhist devotees who pledged themselves to protect the sacred site of Kuragala from 1971 to 2021. 

    In addition, Asadisi Shakya Sugatha Sugandha Kutiya (Relic Hall) is the largest Asadisi Buddha statue built in the area, Bodhi Mandapam, Dam Sabha Mandapam which can perform austerities for 1500 to 2000 people at a time, temple complex including Sanghavasa, etc. are special to Kuragala.🙏🙏💖💖