Mahiyangana

Mahiyanganaya is a town situated close to the Mahaweli River in Badulla District, Uva Province of Sri Lanka.

It is said that Gautama Buddha visited Mahiyanganaya on the Duruthu full moon poya day in order to settle a dispute arose between Yakkas and Nagas (two tribes which then inhabited the area) and this was his first ever visit to Sri Lanka.

The majority of the people in this area are engaged in paddy cultivation being the main economic activity.

The relative flatness of the area can be seen while traveling on the road from Kandy to Padiyathalawa across Hunnasgiriya and famous 18 hairpin bends.

Mahiyangana is connected to cities and towns like Kandy, Badulla, Polonnaruwa, Ampara and Monaragala by main roads.

a panoramic view of Sorabora Wewa
Vishnu bearing a tray of flowers. A painting of the relic chamber of Mahiyangana Stupa (9-11 centuries AD). Currently displayed at Archaeological Museum of Anuradhapura .
The Buddha seated under the Bodhi tree after the enlightment. A fragmentary relic chamber painting from Mahiyangana Stupa. (9-11 centuries AD) Currently displayed at Archaeological Museum of Anuradhapura.