The large & beautiful Mahiyangana Stupa a kilometer south of town
signifies the spot at which the Buddha preached. Enshrined in the stupa
is a lock of blue-black hair of Buddha & a relic of collarbone of
Buddha. The area is very attractive-the park with the dagoba in its well
kept & is overlooked by the hills on the far bank of the Mahaweli.
The stupa was built by prince Saman of
deva tribe of pre-historic Lanka (other two tribes were Yakka &
Naga) during the first visit of Buddha to the island. It was rebuilt by
the hero of the nation King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna (161-136 BC) & has
been restored many times by a succession of kings: King Voharaka Tissa
(214-235 AD), King Sangabodhi (251-252 AD), King Sena the 2nd (847-900
AD), King Kassapa the 4th (912-928 AD), King Vijayabahu (1065-1119AD),
King Narendrasinha (1705-1737 AD) & King Kirti Sri Rajasinha
(1746-1778).
In the modern history too it was
renovated several times: in 1851, by the Ven. Iddamalgoda Dhammpala, in
1980 by Ven. Yatawatte Sri Candajothi Maha Tera, in 1942 by Rt. Hon. D.
S. Senanayake, minister of Agriculture & land of Ceylon under
British rule.