Lankapatuna Samudragiri Viharaya
ලංකාපටුන සමුද්රගිරි විහාරය
Traditionally regarded as the landing site of the Tooth Relic on its first arrival in Sri Lanka. A temple on a seaside rock hill overlooks the lagoon and bay.
Lankapatuna lies on the south shore of Trincomalee Bay. Legend holds that in the 4th century a princess named Hemamala carried the Tooth Relic from India to Sri Lanka, hidden in her hair, and landed here. A small stupa and temple sit on top of the rock hill, and from the summit you can look out over the lagoon and the Indian Ocean coast, with wide views. The beaches nearby are quiet and rarely crowded. It is about 40 km from town, roughly 1.5 hours by hired car, and can be paired with Seruwila Vihara. Remove your shoes to climb, and note that the stone surfaces can get very hot at midday.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara
- Marble Beach
- Hood's Tower Museum
- Fort Frederick
- Pathirakali Amman Temple
- Koneswaram Temple
- Trincomalee Fish Market
- Uppuveli Beach