Isurumuni Royal Temple — Attraction in Sri Lanka

The Isurumuniya Viharaya is situated close to the Tisa Wewa. It is renowned for its stone carvings of which the most famous is one known as the “Isurumuniya Lovers”. The other carvings are of the Horseman, Elephant Pond and the Royal Family.

The Temple was originally known as the Meghagiri Vihara and it is believed that the Vessagiri Vihara which is located close to it is the actual Isurumuniya Vihara.

The Temple The Isurumuniya Viharaya was constructed during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa who governed in Anuradhapura, the country’s capital. During his reign 500 high caste children were ordained, and Isurumuniya was built as a monastic complex to house all of them. Thereafter it was renovated by King Kasyapa (473 – 491 AD) who renamed it “Boupulvan Kasubgiri Radmaha Vehera” – a combination of his name along with his two daughters’. Connected to the Temple is a cave with a cliff above it. A small Dagoba was built on this cliff during a later period. At the picturesque entrance to Isurumuniya a rock can be seen either side of a crevice, and this rock seems to rise out of a pond.

Isurumuniya Lovers (Pem Yuwala)

The Isurumuniya Lovers To the north of Isurumuniya lies the Ranmasu Uyana or Royal Pleasure Garden. This is a significant location as it is believed that Prince Saliya met Asokamala, his future bride, in this very garden all those centuries ago.

The sculpture known as the “Isurumuniya Lovers” is a Gupta style carving of the 6th Century. It shows a woman seated on a man’s lap, lifting a finger in what some people interpret as a manifestation of her coyness. A certain mystery surrounds the carving as no record exists of exactly whom the two images portray. Locals believe the couple depicted in the carving are that of Prince Saliya and Asokamala. Another legend has it that it is the Hindu god Shiva and goddess Parvati depicted in the famous carving.

Isurumuniya - Horse and manIt is possible that the figures represent Prince Saliya (son of King Dutugemunu) and Asokamala, the maiden of low caste he loved. According to historical reports he eventually gave up the throne for her.

Another legend has it that it is Shiva and Parvati depicted in the famous carving.

A Sense of Romance Isurumuniya - Royal Family Stone CarvingThe carving of the “Isurumuniya Lovers” has sparked many legends over the centuries. But each one seems to have a happy ending and the legends live on. Step into this romantic setting and share this ancient love story as Tourslanka takes you through this unforgettable experience.

Other Rock Carvings At the picturesque entrance to Isurumuniya a rock can be seen on either side of a crevice, and this rock seems to rise out of a pond. Just above the water level are carvings of bathing Elephants. To the side of the pool is a flight of stairs. Another unique rock carving is found at the top. This time of a man seated in a regal position with the head of a horse behind him. This figure is believed to be of Parjanya, the God of rain. This has led to the belief that the Elephants in the carving below represent rain clouds. Therefore, archaeologists over the centuries have assumed that the King used this location to perform rituals to the God of rain.

The carving of the famous “Isurumuniya Lovers” has sparked many legends over the centuries. But each one seems to have a happy ending and the fables live on. It is truly a place where art takes on a different dimension. Step into this romantic and serene setting as Tourslanka takes you through an...

Isurumuniya Temple Anuradhapura, the first capital of the Helas, founded by King Pandukabhaya around 380 BC, is one of the oldest cities in the world. Also, Anuradhapura, which had been the capital for the longest time in Hela history, is also the city that claims the largest number of historical monuments that have been uncovered in Sri Lanka. Even Buddhist devotees on the Anuradhapura Atamasthana pilgrimage miss many of these historic shrines. But although it is a shrine that does not belong to the Anuradhapura Atamasthana, Isurumuniya Raja Maha Vihara is a place that almost all of these people go to with devotion.

Isurumuniya is a place where Mihindu Ma Thero lived. It seems that at that time this was known as 'Meghagiri' temple. The wedding garden of the king named Meghawana, where ceremonies were held to get rain, is also located nearby. King Devanam Piyatissa built this temple for five hundred children of the Vaishya caste, including one of his sons-in-law, Prince Aritta, who was ordained by Mihindu Thero. In the genealogy books, this temple is known as 'Issarasamanarama', 'Kasupgiri Vehera' etc.

Isurumuni holds a very important place in Buddhist history. By the fourth century, this temple belonged to Abhayagiri. The tooth relic of Lord Buddha brought to Sri Lanka was first deposited in this Isurumuniya temple. Isurumuni temple has two temple houses. A spectacular small temple called Len Viharaya is located above Mihindu Pond. Built on a platform in front of the rock, there are steps made of stone to enter this temple. There are two watch-stones on either side of the steps and carved lame stones and a moonstone lamp in front. It is said that the uluvassa of the temple, the dragon pavilion, the seat and the Buddha statue are carved from the same stone. Opinions have been expressed that this is the first Buddha statue carved out of stone in Sri Lanka. This idol is treated with plaster and painted. Another dragon pantheon is completed behind the idol. On the walls of the temple are Suvisi commentary paintings. The other temple was built recently. Here, there is a sitting statue, a standing statue and an odd statue of Lord Buddha. The rock cave known as Mihindu Cave can be seen at the end of the temple. This cave, which is about 20 feet long and 10 feet high, has been dug and prepared. In the caves there is a stone seat where Mihindu Thero is believed to have slept. The temple has a number of recently painted frescoes depicting the history...

Most of the local and foreign tourists recognize it for its grandeurs carvings and wonderful surrounding which consist of lakes, ponds, and rocks under the Sri Lankan tourism sector. Isrumuniya Vihara is a rock temple built by King Devanampiyatissa who ruled Sri Lanka has some very fine carvings which are beautiful undetectably.It is located near to the Tissa wewa in the ancient City of Anuradhapura. Another name for this temple is Meghagiri Viharaya. Isurumuniya is more famous for the stone carving of ‘Isurumini couple’ which is constantly similar to the 6th-century Gupta style carvings. This carved stone was found in Royal garden and brought to the Isurumuniya viharaya.

Based on the information provided by interpretations it shows the prince Saliya who is the son of King Dutugemunu and his love Ashokamala from a lower cast of the society. As Prince Saliya decided to marry her she received a high cast of the society. Other than that people believe that this carves represent the god Shiva and goddess Parvathi. The vihara is fully designed on a rock and the sacred tooth relic of Buddha has been originally kept here when it arrived in the island from India in the 312 AC. The temple got reputational destination with the dawn of the 19th century as many foreigners came to Anuradhapra and began to osculate with sri lankans.

The temple is connected to a cave and above with a cliff. At the entrance to the viharaya you can see pond and above that, you can see another carving of bathing elephans. Not only that but also there is another carving showing a man seated in a royal pose and a horse head. It is believed that the Agni and Parjanya , the god of rain on behalf of that some do believe that it was a soldier who came after a battle. The elephants are regarded as clouds. So all together it is believed that this place is also used by the king to worship the god of the rain. The stupa and Buddha statue you can also go for the Garden ‘Ranmasu Uyana’ which is in few yards away. In kings times there were some caves which were used to travel but now they have become residents of bats. Today some of these sculptures have been moved to a small museum in the temple for further protection. Isurumuniya Vihara is a destination that shouldn’t be ever chucked up on a tour of the ancient city of...