Raigama, according to some historians, was the seventh capital of ancient Lanka, after Anuradhapura (4th century BC – 10th century AD), Polonnaruwa (10th century – mid-13th century), Dambadeniya (1232–72), Yapahuwa (1272–93), Kurunegala (1293–1341) and Gampola (1341–47). It is said to have been the capital for 68 years, until Parakramabahu VI moved to the comforts of Sri Jayawardenepura-Kotte in 1415 (Wikipedia.)

“Alakeshvaras” were the supreme rulers of Raigama kingdom. Their sovereignty varied from time to time. So were the limits of the kingdom.Current Raigam Korale is an area of 350 sq km that covers the electorates Bandaragama, Horana and part of Bulathsinhala, but this should not be taken as the limits of ancient Raigampura kingdom in its heyday. The kingdom has spread over large sections of the provinces, Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa from time to time.

The centre, of course, was at Bandaragama where we visited. In the” Mayura sandesaya” the peacock that carries a message to Devinuwara, spends the second night of his travel in the palace of ‘Alakeshvara’ the Patahawatta temple mentioned below..

Having read interesting information in the internet and an article by the National Trust of Sri Lanka about the Historical Viharaya’s in and around Bandaragama close to Colombo and Kodi Gaha Kanda forest reserve we decided to cover the area as a day trip on the 27th of November travelling a distance of about 90Km from home.
We started the trip by traveling via Piliyandala, Kahatuduwa, passing Bandaragama turn off to Koralaima.

Then turn left before Koralaima junction to the left to de Soyza School and come to the visitor center managed by a local NGO called Mihithala Mithuro Environmental Development Foundation. We first contacted Mr. Munagama (Telephone 0713496971) the President of the center and informed before hand of our visit. He had arranged few youth members of the Organization to take us around ad guides.

Kodigahakanda is an 18 acre secondary scrub jungle on top of a granite based hill rock, 378 feet above sea-level at its highest point. Though the land belongs to philanthropist Rohan De Soyza, he has kept the forest without exploiting it for economic gains. He had wanted to keep the jungle unharmed for the benefit of diverse creatures living had organized a local NGO Mihithala Mithuro and are the now caretakers of the forest reserve.

We first visited the center and the youth members took us around, first to the Uda Bangalawa, a dilapidated Walauwa on top of Kodi Gaha kanda which has been the holiday home of C.H.de Soyza a great philanthropist of the yester year.
Today it’s not owned by the De Soyza family but one Mr. Liyanage who had bought the Walauwa from an auction we were told.

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This house had been visited by dignitaries such as the Crown Prince of Japan, Gurudev Rabindarnath Tagore, Hon D.S.Senanayake, Hon S.W.R.D.Bandaranayake, Hon. Baron Jayatilake and some have planted trees and to commemorate the visit.

The tree planted by Hon S.W.R.D.Bandaranayake

The tree planted by Crown Prince of Japan

The Ebony tree planted by Hon D.S.Senanayake

The whole place was dilapidated condition and the caretaker was not there so we could not go into the house but took photos from the glass doors.

A room inside

The only remaining decorative tile on the wall around the Walauwa

The pond in the Garden

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Next we visited the Kodi Gaha Kanda forest to climb to the top and see where a flag was hoisted to mark the Colombo harbor as there were no Light Houses then. Now only the hole where the flag post was fixed is seen below:

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Going through the forest was difficult at times, as no roots/roads are available. The Member guides maintained that it will remain as it is so that the visitor can gain a ‘true forest experience’ and many adventurer facilities are there for young visitors. According to a brochure given to us there are 33 species of flora, 18 species of reptiles, 4 species of amphibians, 16 species of fish, 45 species of butterflies, 72 species of birds and 17 species of mammals at the reserve.
From Kodigakanda we travelled back to the Koralaima and turned left and came to Pokunuwita and again turned left towards Horana and came to Pokunuwita Rajamaha Viharaya or the Kithsisimewan Rajamaha Viharaya.

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In the 4th century AD King Kithsisrimevan had a general called Deva and he had donated his share of revenue to this temple say a stone inscription at the site.

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The old Vihara had been constructed with kabok bricks and mud and the frescos and being said to belong to the Kandiyan Kingdom style.

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.	A pond that never go dry

Next we went to see the Lanawara Rajamaha Viharaya turning off tat the Panadura Horana road pass Raigama junction.

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This cave temple as most such cave temples had been a hiding place of King Walagambahu. Most intriguing part of this site is the entrance to a large tunnel, which it is said, runs underground for miles, even crossing the Kelani river. We had to turn right without going up the stone stairs to the main temple.But the entrance to this tunnel, is blocked off with concrete. This we are told is because, the last people to explore the tunnel from this end never come back.

Entrance to the Cave now covered by concrete wall

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The temple proper was on a small hill.

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An inscription by the king at Sunetradevi Pirivena at Pepiliyana records grants made to “Raigam nuwarabada Lenawara gallena Viharaya”. Archeological Department goes even further in naming it the foremost temple in the Western province during the Polonnaruwa period.
According to local legends a Brahmin from South Indian origins named ‘Ramasundara’ has once lived in the cave. His specialty was treating catarrh. ( ‘peenasa’). This Brahamin was also believed to have complied a book on treating catarrh called ‘Peenas Vedakama’ in gold plates to be donated to the king. As this ‘waraya’ (donation) took place in a ‘lena’ the place is believed to have the name ‘Lenawara’.
The scenery from its height is spectacular. Stretches of coconut palms, other local trees and paddy fields in blended greens faded into far away Blue Mountains. The hill surrounding the viharaya is cultivated with rubber and Coconut,

Next we visited the Pathawatta Rajamaha Viharaya
The temple now known as Sri Pushkararama Rajamaha Viharaya at Pathahawatte, Kothalawela is certainly an important piece of Raigampura Heritage – and not just for its religious significance. easily twice of that. This wall dates back to either Kotte or Gampola period.

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The temple is surrounded by a huge wall of kabook. It is 2 meter wide and the height varies between 2 -3 meters. Given the depth of the foundation, the original height could have been easily twice of that. It is said thatThis wall dates back to either Kotte or Gampola period.
No temple needs that level of protection. So this place could not have been a temple in its heyday. Mostly, it could have been the palace of a king.
There are two schools of thoughts. The first is that it was the land that housed the palace built by Raigam Bandara or Pararajasinghe (brother of Buvanekabahu VII and Mayadunne) who ruled Raigampura from 1521-38 AD.
The other is that it had been the palace of Prabhuraja Nisshanka Alakeshvara (1360-87 AD)– perhaps the most illustrious ruler of Raigam kingdom. Nisshanka Alakeshvara was the one who built the castle at Kotte kingdom, surrounded by a huge wall not too different from the one we see today at Pathahawatte. So it is fair to attribute that too to him.
Most evident feature at the entrance is a huge pit of 25 m x 15 m size – which could have been either a pond or most probably a swimming pool (=pathaha). It was well built surrounded by a stone wall. The linkage to the place name Pathahawatte is apparent, but it should have been established long before.. Even Rajavaliya refers to Pathahawatte as the point where Mudliar Samarakoon arrived with his army to fight the rebel Edirille Rala during the Kotte period. (Curtsy from the Internet)

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The Pataha or the big pit near the kabok wall

There were only few archeological artifacts to be seen on ground. One was a part of a vessel made of stone that takes the shape of a head of an elephant. This might have been used to collect water coming from the roof of the palace. The other interesting one is the double toilet seat – which has two back to back seats. Who used it and how it was used (mostly not simultaneously) is not known. The common belief is that it was the common toilet seat of the king and queen.

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The next visit was to The Rambukana Rajamaha viharaya near the Bandaragama Town.

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The Viharaya is not as large as some other temples in the area. Not having referred in ancient literature repeatedly it may not also be that well known. However, this is a unique place in the history of Raigampura kingdom. It is from the land of this temple that perhaps the oldest rock inscription shown above in the Western province was discovered in 1997 during the renovation of the temple. This inscription is now named as ‘Ramukkana Raja Maha Vihara Puvaru Lipiya’ – because it is written on a ‘stone slab’(gal puvaruva).
As only part of the rock slab is available it is not clear what the message is. Only it mentions about two ‘Bhanakas’. These were the learned Bhikkus of the day who memorized Dhamma before it was documents during the time of king Walagambahu.
Returning back we visited the Veedagama Maha Pirivena on the road side.
Only what is there is the statue of Rev Veedagama Maithrya Thera and his Tomb.

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All other artifacts have been broken and was behind the Budu medura and all old buildings at the time of the Rev Veedagama Maithriya Maha Thera had been destroyed and what is now there are of recent built.

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Ven Maha Veedagama thero, who gained fame for matters related to not just religion, but also ‘manthara gurukam’. Ven Thotagamuve Rahula thero was a student of Maha Veedagama thero. According to one legend, the former took an overdose of the memory enhancer ‘Sarasvathie Thailaya’ and consequently was able to remember everything he hears. Ven. Veedagama Maithriya thero, one of the two leading poets of Kotte era. He is said to have written five books of poems namely, Loveda Sangarava, Hansa Sandesha, Budugunalakara, Daham Geta Mala and Kav Lakunu Mini Mala’.
Since it was about to rain as its evening thunder showers as predicted by the Met department we got into the new High way at Gelanigama interchange and proceeded to Kottawa and back home.( As I am no Historian most information is from Internet )