Mahiyangana
Mahiyangana is home to the Veddhasknown as ‘Vannilaetto’, meaning people of the forest who are in fact on the list of the world’s primitive tribes and considered to be the descendants of the Yaksa and Naga Gothra that inhabited Sri Lanka thousands of years ago
Located 185 kilometers from the capital Colombo on the South East region of Matale, this dry historic yet highly developed town, is rich in agriculture and livestock farming. The Mahaweli River water is diverted to Mahiyangana, to enable farmers to do their cultivation which is a main source of income to the community.
Mahiyangana is one of the ancient Cities of the then Ceylon directly relating to the life of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka who is believed to have first set foot at this town when he has arrived to Sri Lanka. The ancient Ceylonese were known to be 'Yakkas' as there lived a group of people with no discipline or ethics whatsoever. The Aryans from North India invaded the island and the war between the 'Yakkas' and Aryans was won by the latter, thus began the development and civilization of the people of Ceylon who conducted themselves in a moral manner.
At the time of the Buddha's visit, the aborigines or the original inhabitants of the country were 'yakkas' (demon-worshippers) and 'nagas' (snake-worshippers). The 'yakkas' were numerous and very powerful, and held themselves aloof and confined themselves to the mountain fastnesses of the North- Central region, whereas the 'nagas' confined themselves to the sea-board, and Maniakkhika was the 'naga' king of Kelaniya. Legends states that a peace treaty was made peace. This was housed in the cetiya of 120 ft., somewhat as a covering to the original one, which we see today.
King Vijayabahu I, who established the Polonnaruwa kingdom, seeing the ruinous state of the cetiya, overgrown with wild vegetation and fauna, took steps to renovate it, without allowing it to undergo further deterioration. King Viraparakrama Narendrasinha (the last Sinhala king of Sri Lanka, also known as Kundasale Rajjuvuro (King of Kundasale), had conducted grand 'poojas' (offerings) to the cetiya, and had it decorated with multi-coloured banners and sweet-smelling flowers. King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1780), did much to maintain the cetiya in good condition and also built edifices for the bhikkhus to spend their time peacefully and in meditation. In 1851, the Ven. Iddamalgoda Dhammapala, the incumbent of the Mahiyangana vihara, seeing the sad state of the cetiya, took a keen interest to renovate it, and the restoration work began in earnest.
In 1873, the top portion of the cetiya collapsed. In 1980, after years of planning and hard work, a pinnacle to the cetiya was ceremonially fitted, with the zeal and enthusiasm of Ven. Yatawatte Sri Candajothi Maha Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter, supported by Ven. Wattegama Sumangala Nayake Thera, Duniwila Nilame, Timbirigaspitiye Disawa and others. The crystal-cut gem that adorns the pinnacle was a gift received from Myanmar (Burma), and it is the biggest of the kind of Sri Lanka, weighing 14.5 kg. (32 lbs). The cetiya was ceremonially opened on September 21, 1961, amidst a great concourse of devotees who flocked to witness the historic incident.
Situated at a great location by Mahaweli river Mahiyangana provide access several National parks, Bird watiching Locations and Sanctuaries. The Temple, Sorabora Wewa Tank, Dambana Veddhas, Minipe, Randenigala, Maduruoya, Wasgomuwa are major Attractions here.
Dambana – the habitat of veddas They lived in forests for many centuries keeping to their ways of Life in harmony with the forest. You could also visit Dambana an eco adventure to see the Veddhas of Forest and experience Veddhas culture and the nature around them. The visit to Veddhas habitat takes about 2 kilometer trekking giving you an opportunity to see many forest birds. The oldest of the Veddha’s Thisahami is the main site of attraction in this village. Though the natural habitat has been changed to suit the present era, and time many still preserve their fore father’s traditions of hunting for food and cooking in open fire with a group. Considered as the aboriginals of the country the language and traditions are preserved to protect the Veddhas form extinction.
