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{{Short description|Sri Lanka Buddhist temple}}
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Warana Raja Maha Vihara
| native_name = වාරණ රජ මහා විහාරය
| infobox_width =
| image = වාරණ රජමහා විහාරය 1.PNG
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Ancient Stupa at middle ground
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| location = [[Warana, Sri Lanka|Warana]], [[Thihariya]], [[Sri Lanka]]
| coordinates = {{coord|07|06|15.3|N|80|04|28.9|E|display=inline,title}}
| religious_affiliation = [[Buddhism]]
| rite =
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| province =[[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western Province]]
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| district =[[Gampaha District|Gampaha]]
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| heritage_designation = [[List of Archaeological Protected Monuments in Sri Lanka|Archaeological protected monument]]<ref name="Archaeological">{{cite web|url=http://www.archaeology.gov.lk/web/images/pdf/protected%20monument%20list%202012-12-12.pdf|date=12 December 2012|title=Protercted Monument List 2012-12-12|publisher=[[Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka)|Department of Archaeology]]|accessdate=27 March 2016|archive-date=2018-11-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123073223/http://www.archaeology.gov.lk/web/images/pdf/protected%20monument%20list%202012-12-12.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> (01 November 1996)
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| architecture = yes
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| architecture_type = [[Buddhist Temple]]
| architecture_style = [[Architecture of ancient Sri Lanka#Cave temples|Cave temple]]
| founded_by = [[Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura|King Devanampiyathissa]] (307–267 BC)
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'''Warana Raja Maha Vihara''' ([[Sinhalese language|Sinhala]]ː වාරණ රජ මහා විහාරය) is an ancient [[Buddhist temple]] situated in [[Thihariya]], [[Gampaha District]], [[Sri Lanka]]. The temple is located approximately {{convert|5|km|abbr=on}} away from the [[Colombo]] - [[Kandy]] highway. Currently this temple has been recognized as an [[List of Archaeological Protected Monuments in Sri Lanka|archaeological protected site in Gampaha]] District by [[Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka)|Archaeological department]].<ref name="Archaeological" />

==History==
Warana Raja Maha Vihara is believed to have been built during the reign of [[Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura|King Devanampiyathissa]] (307–267 BC)<ref name="tlc.lk">{{cite web| url=http://tlc.lk/index.php/listings/225| title=Warana Rajamaha Viharaya, Gampaha| publisher=tlc.lk| date=| accessdate=16 March 2016| archive-date=21 March 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321014505/http://tlc.lk/index.php/listings/225| url-status=dead}}</ref> and according to the temple chronicles preserved at the Vihara, later renovations haven been undertaken by [[Valagamba of Anuradhapura|King Valagamba]] (103 BCE and c.89–77 BCE), [[Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa|Nissanka Malla]] (1187–1196), [[Kirti Sri Rajasinha of Kandy|Kirti Sri Rajasinha]] (1747–1782) and [[Parakramabahu VI of Kotte|Parakramabahu VI]].<ref name="srilankaheritages.com">{{cite web| url=http://www.srilankaheritages.com/warana.html| title=WARANA RAJAMAHA VIHARA| publisher=srilankaheritages.com| date=| accessdate=16 March 2016| archive-date=22 July 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722095236/http://www.srilankaheritages.com/warana.html| url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to the Dr. [[Senarath Paranavithana]]'s book ''Inscriptions of Ceylon, Part I'', a [[Brahmi script|Brahmin]] inscription, found in the vihara premises, has been interpreted as follows:.<ref name="ic">{{cite book|last=Paranavitana|first=S.|title=Inscriptions of Ceylon; Volume I | publisher=[[Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka)|Department of Archaeology]]| year=1970|page=83}}</ref>
{{blockquote|Bata-Majhimasa batika bata-Tisadatasa dane. (In [[English language|English]]: "The gift of Lord Tissadatta, brother of Lord Magjihima)}}

[[Uruwala Walagamba Raja Maha Vihara|Uruwala]], [[Maligatenna Raja Maha Vihara|Maligatenna]], [[Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Vihara|Pilikuththuwa]], Miriswatta and [[Koskandawala Sri Sunandarama Piriven Raja Maha Vihara|Koskandawala]] cave temples, situated in the vicinity of the Warana temple are said to have been formed from one major temple complex in the early [[Anuradhapura period]].<ref name="lp">{{cite news|url=https://www.lankapradeepa.com/2021/02/varana-viharaya.html| title=Varana Raja Maha Viharaya (Gampaha)|publisher=Lankapradeepa| date=7 February 2021| access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref>

==The temple==
[[File:Warana Raja Maha Vihara.jpg|thumb|200px|A scene of the temple]]
The temple is mainly consist of three levels as Pahala maluwa, Meda maluwa and Ihala maluwa. On the first level, the Sangawasaya and the Dharma Hall are located and on the middle level, the drip-led cave temple with its ancient [[Stupa]] can be seen. It is said that the stupa is around 800 years old. Inside the cave temple, many of Buddha statues and paintings are found. The canopy of the cave has been decorated with [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]] flowers and with various other flower designs. In the top level, another [[Stupa]] and Cave temple can be seen.

==See also==
* [[List of Archaeological Protected Monuments in Gampaha District]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Buddhist temples in Gampaha District]]
[[Category:Buddhist caves in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Archaeological protected monuments in Gampaha District]]

Warana Raja Maha Vihara - Revision history

DaljeetBhutal: added basic details from scratch!