The history of Magul Maha Vihara possibly dates back to the period of King Kavantissa (205-161 BC) who ruled the Kingdom of Ruhuna in ancient Sri Lanka.

There is a stone inscription at the site of this temple, commissioned by a regional ruler named Parakramabahu that dates back to the 14th century which supports the latter view.

The legend also tells that the marriage ceremony was conducted at the premises of Magul Maha Viharaya in Lahugala, where the King had later built the temple to celebrate the auspicious event.

The main gate, a solidly built wall that surrounds all the buildings and the remains of a small shrine with an unusual moonstone at its entrance are some of the structures that can be seen at the site today.

The entire temple complex had covered an extent of around 10,000 acres where ruins of a palace, moonstone, monastery, bo-maluwa, stupas, ponds etc.

From the merit that accrues he wishes Sihila and himself to attain Buddhahood"Period: 14th century AD, Script: Medieval Sinhala, Language: Medieval SinhalaTranscript: "(1) Svasti Siri-Lak-hi raja (2) ka[la] Dasen-kali raja-da- (3) -ruvan-da karavu me Ru- (4) -nu- maha-vera maha-val (5) va tubuva daka Soli-se- (6) -nava mada Runu-rata raja ka- (7) -rana Parakumba de-ba-raja-daru- (8) -van de-denata aga-mehe- (9) -sun vu Vihara-maha-devi na- (10) -m ma visin mul pisa ka- (11) -rava daru-gam vatana-pasa pariva- (12) -ra sihita va .. .. bada- (13) -vas kota ma [visin] karavanala- (14) -da me siyalu pin-kam matu va- (15) -na raja yuva-raja .. .. (16) adinut anu .. .. (17) pavatviya yutu bavi- (18) -n ma namin kala (Vihara) -de- (19) -vi-pirivena me vera ba- (20) -da bava data yutu"Content: "Viharamahadevi, the chief consort of the two brother kings named Parakramabahu, who vanquished the Colas and governed the Ruhuna, restored the Ruhunu maha vihara (Magul Maha Vihara) founded by king Dhathusena and supplied the requisites for the sangha and attendants.