Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara
සේරුවිල මංගල රජ මහා විහාරය
One of Sri Lanka's sixteen sacred Buddhist sites, said to enshrine the Buddha's frontal bone relic, with a great white dagoba rising on the eastern coastal plain.
Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara is traditionally said to have been built by King Kavantissa in the 2nd century BCE to enshrine the Buddha's frontal bone relic. It is listed among Sri Lanka's sixteen sacred Buddhist sites. A tall white dagoba rises over the grounds, which also hold archaeological remains and a small museum. The surrounding wetlands often host peacocks and wild elephants. It lies about 40 km south of Trincomalee. Because you need to cross Trincomalee Bay or take a detour, a hired car takes about 1–1.5 hours. It can be combined with the seaside temple at Lankapatuna on the same day.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Lankapatuna Samudragiri Viharaya
- Marble Beach
- Hood's Tower Museum
- Pathirakali Amman Temple
- Fort Frederick
- Trincomalee Fish Market
- Koneswaram Temple
- Uppuveli Beach