The Somawathiya Chethiya is located in the Somawathiya National Park on the left bank of the Mahaweli River. Somawathiya Built in the 2nd century BC, this stupa contains the right tooth relics of the Supreme Buddha. It is said to have been buried and made. This is the reign of King Kavan Tissa, the father of Dutugumunu who ruled Magama. Therefore Somawathiya is much older than Ruwanwelisaya, Mirisavethiya Vihara, or Jethavanaramaya.
In the flood plains of the Mahaweli River, a large number of animals such as elephants, wild buffaloes, deer, and grass-eating animals feed on the luxuriant grasslands. The stupa is named after Princess Somawathie, the sister of King Kavantissa and the wife of Prince Abhaya, the regional ruler. The prince built the stupa to carve the right tooth relics of the Buddha obtained from Arahat Mahinda and named the stupa after the princess. After the completion of the stupa and other structures, the Prince and Princess handed over the Devalaya to Arahat Mahinda and other monks.
[envira-gallery id=”7701″]There are three main reasons why Somawathi is popular.
- Somawathie has one of the only two tooth relics in the world. The other tooth relics are kept at the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.
- The incredible phenomena that have taken place around the stupa have been witnessed by thousands of devotees.
- LThe remoteness of the city is one of the main reasons why this place is so popular. The environment is truly beautiful with elephants and other wildlife.
