Temple Nagadeepa - Mark of buddhism in jaffna

In the Jaffna Peninsula, on the island of Nainativu is situated the Nagadipa Vihara, one of the 16 sacred places of worship in Sri Lanka. According to the chronicles, in the 5th year after enlightenment,Lord Buddha visited Nagadipa to settle a dispute between two NĂ ga Kings - Chulodara and Mahodara regarding a gem throne. The Bak Full Moon Poya commemorates Buddha's visit to Nagadipa to settle a dispute between Chulodara and Mahodara, two kings belonging to the Naga tribe, over the possession of a gem studded throne. It was a battle between uncle and nephew - the uncle being Mahodara and Chulodara, the nephew. Mahodara's sister had married another Naga king and Chulodara was their son. After the death of Chulodara's grandfather the gem studded throne which belonged to him was given to the daughter, Chulodara's mother.

Mahodara wanted to take possession of it. When Buddha came over from Jetavanarama in the city of Sravasti, He was accompanied by God Sumana , a protective deity residing on a tree at the entrance to the Vihara.

According to legend, he was a resident of Nagadipa in his previous birth and had provided some Pacceka Buddhas with leaves from a tree to clean their alms bowls. The merit he acquired from that deed had made him a deity.

The Buddha preached the virtues of non-violence to the warring factions. He urged them to forget hating each other and be united. The two kings surrounded by their followers listened patiently to the Buddha and decided to end their enmity.After the two warring kings made peace the throne was offered to the Buddha, who returned it to the Naga kings. It was later enshrined in the Nagadipa Stupa and soon became a place of Buddhist veneration.

There have been instances when Nagadipa and Ruhuna which were at times ruled by members of the royal family, were at other times administered by 'amatyas' or courtiers.Nagadipa later came to be referred to as Nainativu island. Until the escalation of the northern war, Nagadipa was a popular place of worship with Buddhists from all over the island visiting the sacred place to venerate the spot hallowed by the Buddha.

Thuparama - The oldest dagaba of Sri Lanka

Thera Mahinda, an envoy sent by King Ashoka himself introduced Theravada Buddhism and also chetiya worship to Sri Lanka. At his request King Devanampiyatissa built Thuparamaya in which was enshrined the collarbone of the Buddha. It is considered to be the first dagaba built in Sri Lanka following the introduction of Buddhism. This is considered the earliest monument, the construction of which was chronicled Sri Lanka. The name Thuparamaya comes from "stupa" and "aramaya" which is a residential complex for monks.

This chetiya was built in the shape of a heap of paddy. This dagaba was destroyed from time to time. During the reign of King Agbo II it was completely destroyed and the King restored it. What we have today is the construction of the dagaba, done in 1862 AD. As it is today, after several renovations, in the course of the centuries, the monument has a diameter of 59 ft (18 m), at the base. The dome is 11 feet 4 inches (3.45 m) in height from the ground, 164½ ft (50.1 m) in diameter. The compound is paved with granite and there are 2 rows of stone pillars round the dagaba. During the early period vatadage was built round the dagaba.