Hatthikuchchi Viharaya

Haththikuchchi viharaya - හත්ථිකුච්චි විහාරය

Hatthikuchchi Viharaya is a ruined ancient temple complex situated on the northern border of the North Western Province (Wayamba), Sri Lanka 3.5 km away from the Mahagalkadawala junction on the Padeniya – Anuradhapura (A28) road. The name 'Hatthikuchchi' (හත්ථිකුච්චි in Sinhalese) is a pali word meaning 'Elephant Stomach' (Hasthi - Elephant, Kuchchi - Stomach). Its closest Sinhalese name is 'ඇත්කුස් වෙහෙර' 'Eth Kus wehera' (Eth - Elephant, Kus - Stomach). This names has been given because of a large rock inside the temple complex which resembles an elephant.
The Temple complex is considered to have been built by King Devanampiyatissa (307–267 BC) and one of the oldest Buddhist temple complexes in the country. Later for various reasons this complex was forgotten and by the time of king Sirisangabo this was covered with jungle.

It has been taken into consideration that this was the location where King Sirisangabo (251–253 AD) offered his own head to a peasant. Previously it was widely considered that this incident took place at Attanagalla in Gampaha district now most scholars have raised the argument that this must be the place that it really took place.

Main reason for this idea was that, in the story it says the peasant walked half a day from Anuradhapura towards the south where he met the former king Sirisangabo. Since 'Hatthikuchchi Viharaya' is only 38.5 km from Anuradhapura rather than Attanagalla which is 170 km from Anuradhapura there is a better chance this is the actual place the incident took place.

Supporting this facts there is a tomb which is considered to have the ashes of the king Sirisangabo. In this tomb the tombstone which is built from bricks resembling a human body have a granite sphere as the head piece since it was missing in the dead body.

Excavations are still under way at the site and more ruins are yet to be found which are covered with the jungle.

AMAZING PLACE IN SRI LANKA | Haththikuchchi Temple | Travel Video #27

Hatthikuchchi Viharaya is a ruined ancient temple complex situated on the northern border of the North Western Province, Sri Lanka 3.5 km away from the Mahagalkadawala junction on the Padeniya – Anuradhapura road.

Haththikuchchi Temple - හත්තිකුච්චි විහාරය

Hatthikuchchi Viharaya is a ruined ancient temple complex situated on the northern border of the North Western Province (Wayamba), Sri Lanka 3.5 km away from the Mahagalkadawala junction on the Padeniya – Anuradhapura (A28) road.
Haththikuchchi Viharaya or the Ethkus Vehera has got its name due to the fact that there is a large rock resembling a kneeling Elephant which gave the name Haththikuchchi. The meaning of the word Haththikuchchi in english is the 'elephant's belly'. This ancient temple premises which is over 100 acres as of today has a history running up to the 1st Century BC.

One can reach Haththikuchchi from Anuradhapura through Anuradhapura -Kurunegala road or from Putlam passing Anamaduwa and coming along Anuradhapura -Kurunegala road passing Galgamuwa town. On the 43rd Mile Post at Mahagalkadawala, turn off and proceed about 3 miles where you find the Haththikuchchi Temple.

Visiting this fantastic eco rich site is a bit time consuming as the approach to the site is away from the much ventured main roads but the effort is rewarding to the visitor as the cave complex amidst ponds and trees as well as spell binding landscape surrounding the site, is very special.

It is believed that King Sirsangabo who was living in this forest after renouncing the Crown, in around 244 AD, cut his own head and offered it to a villager, to be handed over to the ruling King Gotabaya at that time as the King had ordered to bring the head of Sirisangabo to him fearing Sirisangabo would overthrow him become King again..There are monuments to represent his tomb at this temple area.

හත්ථිකුච්චි (ඇත් කුස් වෙහෙර) / Hattikuchchi (Eth Kus Vehera)

Haththikuchchi Viharaya or the Ethkus Vehera has got its name due to the fact that there is a large rock resembling a kneeling Elephant which gave the name Haththikuchchi. The meaning of the word Haththikuchchi in english is the 'elephant's belly'. This ancient temple premises which is over 100 acres as of today has a history running up to the 1st Century BC.

One can reach Haththikuchchi from Anuradhapura through Anuradhapura -Kurunegala road or from Putlam passing Anamaduwa and coming along Anuradhapura - Kurunegala road passing Galgamuwa town. On the 43rd Mile Post at Mahagalkadawala, turn off and proceed about 3 miles where you find the Haththikuchchi Temple.

It is believed that King Sirsangabo who was living in this forest after renouncing the Crown, in around 244 AD, cut his own head and offered it to a villager, to be handed over to the ruling King Gotabaya at that time as the King had ordered to bring the head of Sirisangabo to him fearing Sirisangabo would overthrow him become King again..There are monuments to represent his tomb at this temple area.