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Although Kataragama was a small village in medieval times, today it is a fast-developing township surrounded by jungle in the southeastern region of Sri Lanka. The ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa, which is believed to be built by the regional king Mahasena in the 6th century BC is also a major attraction in Kataragama area. [1]
Mahasena, also known in some records as Mahasen, was a king of Sri Lanka who ruled the country from 277 to 304 CE. He started the construction of large tanks or reservoirs in Sri Lanka, [ 1 ] and built sixteen such tanks. [ 2 ]
Another Sinhala legend makes Kataragama deviyo a deification of a Tamil spy sent by Elara to live amongst the Sinhalese or a Tamil juggler who made the locals deify him after his death. [27] [28] Yet another legend says that Kataragama deviyo is a deification of the legendary king Mahasena, who is born as a bodhisattva or Buddha in waiting. [29]
King Mahasena (276-303 CE) is credited with building the largest of them all - the Jetavana, which has a diameter of 367 feet (112 m) at the base. Though the present height is estimated at 232 feet (71 m), the original height is supposed to have been 400 feet.
Mahasena or Mahāsena may refer to: Mahasena, a name for Murugan, Hindu god of war; Mahasena, a legendary king of the Kataragama region in Sri Lanka said to have ruled during the 6th century BCE; Mahasena of Anuradhapura, a historical king of Sri Lanka who ruled from 275 to 301 CE; Mahasena-gupta, a ruler of the Later Gupta dynasty in India
Kiri Vehera is an ancient stupa situated in Kataragama, Sri Lanka.This stupa probably dates back to the 3rd century BC and is believed to have been built by King Mahanaga brother of king Devanampiyatissa; a regional ruler of Kataragama area.
King Mahasena marched an army to meet minister Meghavannabhaya and negotiations occurred the night before the battle. The king apologized for the pillaging and agreed to build a vihara on the grounds of Mahavihara. The Mahavamsa quotes the king: "We will make the vihara to be dwelt in yet again; forgive me my fault."
Mahāvaṃsa (Sinhala: මහාවංශ (Mahāvansha), Pali: මහාවංස (Mahāvaṃsa)) is the meticulously kept historical chronicle of Sri Lanka until the period of Mahasena of Anuradhapura.