Balapokuna Raja Maha Vihara

Balapokuna Raja Maha Vihara (Sinhala: බලපොකුණ රජ මහා විහාරය) is a historic Buddhist temple situated in Pamankada, Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is located near to the 6th mile post junction on Colombo-Batticaloa main road. The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka. The designation was declared on 6 June 2008 under the government Gazette number 1553.[1]

Balapokuna Raja Maha Vihara
බලපොකුණ රජ මහා විහාරය
The ancient pond and Devalaya
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DistrictColombo
ProvinceWestern Province
Location
LocationPamankada, Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates06°52′21.0″N 79°52′40.1″E
Architecture
TypeBuddhist Temple

Balapokuna

Balapokuna Vihara has got its name because of the Balapokuna, a natural pond located on a rock surface in the Vihara premises. In the early periods the pond was called as "Batapokuna" and the name had been derived from the Sinhalese word "Bata" which meaning soldiers.[2] During the reign of King Parakramabahu VI the water of the pond had been used by his soldiers and later the name Batapokuna was gradually evolved to its present name Balapokuna.

According to popular legend, Balapokuna is an exit point to the ancient tunnel which runs from Kotte, the others being at the Kotte Ananda Shastralaya and the Pita Kotte Gal Ambalama.

References
  1. Gazette 1553 & 6 June 2008, p. 533.
  2. "Balapokuna Temple". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 4 June 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
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