THE ARCHAIC SACRED SAGAMA RAJAMAHA VIHARAYA

According to the "Sinhala Bodhiwansaya" one of the "Bow Trees" out of first thirty two plant of most sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya has been planted at "Magama" in "Ruhunu Rata". In "Sulubodhiwansaya"  stated that one of the Sri Maha Bodhi" plants,  in serted at  "Sagam Vehera" in "Ruhunu Rata".

 There is no any evidence to reveal that any "Bohdiya" inserted temple call "Magama" in "Ruhanu Rata". But it says there was a public temple called "Sagama Viharaya" and it was situated near by "Marassana". The very first temple mentioned in the Name book (Nam Potha) or "Vihara Asna" is "Sagama" temple. Now it has been revealed that one of the thirty two Bow plants inserted in "Ruhunu Rata" at the time of king "Devanampiyathissa's" ruling is at this "Sagama" temple.

That Bodhiya is still living without any harm at "Sagama Raja Maha Viharaya". There are two stages ("Maluwa") around the Bodhiya. The protection wall has been made out of big black stone blocks. The "Palaruha Bodhi" is divi de into few branched at the bottom and well growed. The branched are been spreaded to every direction. Some of the branched are grown towards ground as creepers. The appearance of the "Palaruha Bodhiya" is very decay due to its long live. But still live properly. The leaves are not much big. There are small shrine house near the "Palaruha Bodhiya". One of the small long branch spread towards this shrine house. This branch is almost completely decaded. The available support for that branch is not adequate.

There is a Buddha's statue in that shrine house. Another two standing Buddha's statue       beside that. The God "Sumanasaman's" small statue is at right side of the Buddha's sitting statue. The God "Upulwan's" small statue is at left side. There are paint describe the "Twenty Four Blessings" (Soovisi  Viwarana) and the "Seven Weeks" (Sath Sathiya) ect. Another shrine house nearby that. It is much bigger. Sitting Buddha's statue is in that shrine house too. Two standing statue are beside that. The paintings of that are belongs to period of Kandyan rule. These painting are decaying.

A protecting (Parivara) Bodhi and Dhagaba are inserted rear by. The protection Bodh's look is very old. It is consider the Dhagaba has been made by king Dewanam piyathissa. It's believed that a big new Dahaba has been built covering the old small Dagaba which has sacred shrines (Sarwangna Dhathu). So now appears only new Dagaba instead of old one. There is a big stone blocks wall to protect these sacred "Palaruha Bodhiya, protection Bodhiya, Dagaba and two shrine houses (Pilima geya) ect.

The directions to reach this archaic Raja Maha Viharaya made by king Devanampiyathissa with one of the Dethis Palaruha Bodhiyais as follows. From Kandy reach to "Mudunakade" junction passing Ampitiya and Thalathuoya. Then take the turn to right Bawlana road and come about 1.3 km until find a three way junction. At that junction a board is dis played by Department of Archaeology directing to "Sagama" temple. Follow the directions, at about 1 km found the archaic temple with one of the sacred "Dethis Plaruya Bodhi" inserted at the time of king "Devanampiyathissa" ruling.