Historical Buddhist temple Located in Unawatuna Sri Lanka
” Rumassala ” – By Malsha – eLanka
Rumassala Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Unawatuna, a coastal town in southern Sri Lanka. According to local legend, the temple was built by the Indian monkey god Hanuman during his search for medicinal herbs to heal the injured Lord Rama, as described in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
The temple is situated on a hill overlooking the Indian Ocean and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The temple complex includes a large Buddha statue, several smaller shrines, and a stupa (a dome-shaped Buddhist monument).
The temple is also believed to have a healing power and is visited by many locals and tourists seeking spiritual solace or physical healing. The surrounding area is lush and forested, and there are several walking trails leading to beautiful viewpoints and secluded beaches.
In recent years, Rumassala Temple has gained popularity as a tourist destination, and there are now several hotels and resorts in the area catering to visitors.
Historical story of Rumassala temple
According to local legend, the story of Rumassala Temple dates back to the time of the Hindu epic Ramayana, which tells the story of the great hero Rama and his quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.
During the war between Rama and Ravana, Rama’s brother Lakshmana was seriously wounded by a powerful arrow. The only way to heal him was with a special herb known as sanjeevani, which grew on a mountain in the Himalayas.
Rama asked Hanuman, the monkey god, to bring the herb back from the Himalayas. Hanuman was able to locate the mountain and the herb, but he was unsure which one to pick. In his haste, he uprooted a large chunk of the mountain and carried it back to Lanka.
As he was flying over the southern coast of Sri Lanka, a piece of the mountain fell to the ground, creating the hill of Rumassala. Hanuman then went on to heal Lakshmana with the herb, and Rama emerged victorious in the war against Ravana.
In the centuries that followed, the hill of Rumassala became a sacred site for Buddhists, who believed that it was the site where King Ravana’s son, Meghanada, was killed by Rama’s son, Laxman. The temple that stands on the hill today was likely built during the Kandyan period (1592-1815), when Buddhism was experiencing a revival in Sri Lanka.
Today, Rumassala Temple is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and a popular tourist destination for those seeking spiritual solace or physical healing.
Location of Rumassala temple
Rumassala Temple is located in the southern coast of Sri Lanka, in the town of Unawatuna, which is about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) south of the city of Galle.
The temple is situated on top of a hill, which is about 130 meters (427 feet) high, and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the Indian Ocean, the lush greenery of the surrounding forests, and the nearby town of Unawatuna. The hill is covered with dense forests, which are home to a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, birds, and butterflies.
The area surrounding the temple is also known for its beautiful beaches, which attract many tourists throughout the year. Unawatuna Beach, which is located at the foot of the hill, is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
The climate in the region is tropical, with hot and humid conditions prevailing throughout the year. The rainy season in the area is from May to September, while the dry season runs from December to March. The best time to visit Rumassala Temple is during the dry season, when the weather is pleasant and the sea is calm.
