Magama in the south is an important city as old as the historical kingdom of Anuradhapura. Just like Raja Raat, Ruhunu Desha also has many shrines of historical value that should be visited by past kings.
Yatala Pagoda, which is considered to be the first Pagoda in Ruhuna, is one such ancient shrine.
The sight of this stupa catches the eye near the road between Debarawewa junction and Charagoda junction on the Hambantota Kataragama road. Later, during the construction of the highway, this archaeologically valuable sacred site has been divided.
Yatala Chaitya, Tissamaharama Stupa and Sandagiriya Stupa, are equally important and this one is slightly smaller than the two dagabs. Even so, it is said that this is the first pagoda in Ruhuna.
History explains that the Yatala Pagoda was built in the second century BC. According to inscriptional factors, this stupa has been identified as Dalada Da Gaba.
The historical story confirms that the beloved pregnant queen of the young king Mahanaga gave birth to a son prince in this place and naming the infant son as 'Yatalatissa', the place where the prince was born and a pagoda was built there in memory of the prince.
'Yatala' is the name of that village. 'Tissa' is the name given to the prince. Accordingly it was named 'Yatala Tissa'. It is also possible that the great stupa was named after a prince because of the power of privileges enjoyed by the aristocracy of a royal lineage. But as a monument of a sacred Buddhist heritage that surpasses that power, this stupa should be honored more.
It is said that this underground pagoda was able to stand up for the protection of the Tooth Relic due to foreign invasions.
It has been confirmed from the inscriptions found during archaeological excavations that Yatala Stupa was also known as Dalada Dagaba because the tooth relic had been brought from Rajarata to Ruhuna when Rajarata faced enemy threats and was stored in this dagabe for its safety.
The Yatalatissa Stupa that exists today is a reconstruction of a former ruins.
However, the ancient remains that provide data that there was a temple complex in this area can still be seen today.
Archaeologists have been able to uncover an ancient foundation of an ivory wall about 3 feet below today's ground. There are four wahalkadas open to the four directions, stone slabs and old bricks are scattered all over the place.
Some historical factors have been destroyed in many eras of reforms and changes.
However, archeological researches have confirmed 3 main eras in Dagabe. BC The oldest part belongs to the era and the second part belongs to AD. A single Pesava section was built in the 4th century. After that in AD It belongs to the construction done in 1884.
Although we are talking about Yatala Tissa as a priority here, it is true that this was a sacred site with unique monuments in a wide temple complex. If such a temple complex is built from BC era, it can be imagined that there was a species there. It is not unreasonable to think that Maharahat Vahanasela was enriched in such a temple complex if he laid his hands on the name of the first Maharahat in Sri Lanka.
This implies the origin of the historical town of Ruhunu, which is related to the love of Mahanaga's brother, who was related by blood with King Devanampiyatissa. Also, Anuradhapura which is a historical heritage at one end and Ruhunu Magama and Yakarana at the other end are strong factors of the religious heritage.
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