Devanagala Raja Maha Viharaya – දෙවනගල රජමහා විහාරය

Devanagala Raja Maha Viharaya is an old buckle sanctuary in the Mawanella territory of the Kegalle District which has been in news as of late. The Devanagala Temple is accepted to be worked amid the time of King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186) of Polonnaruwa Kingdom. There is additionally conviction that the sanctuary was first worked by ruler Wattagamini Abaya, otherwise called King Walagamba (89-77 BC) .This sanctuary has housed the Dalada of the Buddha before and the remains of this building still can be seen.

At a later date lord Wimaladharmasuriya (1592 – 1604) of Kandyan Kingdom has likewise contributed towards this sanctuary.

One of the engraving at Devanagala has been made by King Parakramabahu who portrays the gift of land in the encompassing territory to an administrator of his armed force who lead a unit to Berma called Kirthi Nuwaragala (Kith Nuwara Gal) for his triumphant crusade against the Burmese King. The full interpretation of this engraving can be found on the distribution "Lakdiva Sellipi" by Kothmale Amaravansha Thero distributed by M. D. Gunasena in 1969.

King Wimaladharmasuriya is viewed by a few students of history as the Kandyan Kingdom's second originator, in charge of its recovery. Conceived as Konnappu Bandara, he was sanctified through water under the Portuguese name of Don Juoão da Austria. In 1581 , the Portuguese set Kusmasana Devi who was purified through water as Dona Catherina as the legitimate proprietor of the Throne to Kandy Kingdom. Ruler Rajasinghe I who ruled Sitawaka kingdom instantly ousted her and attached the Kandyan Kingdom to Sitawaka.

Konnapu Bandara was a leader of the Portuguese armed force yet conspired with the Buddhist Priests to free Kandy from the Portuguese. In 1572, he repudiated Christianity and grasped Buddhism and was sanctified as ruler Wimaladharmasuriya of the Kandyan Kingdom. To set up the regal bloodline, he wedded Kusumasana Devi and battled 2 extremely fruitful fights against the Portuguese who endeavored to attack the kingdom. 

The King Wimaladharmasuriya at that point gave over the Devanagala Raja Maha Viharaya to Devanagala Rathanasara Thero who helped him in his endeavor to take the position of authority of Kandy. A moment shake engraving depicts this gifts to the Devanagala Raja Maha Viharaya by the lord.