Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya is just one of the Badulla’s many landmarks which will carry you to the time of Buddha. It is not quite difficult to be traveled in considering the religious places of tourism in Sri Lanka. It will not be quite difficult to find the temple as it is located in the middle of Badulla city. Being one of the most venerated religious places it is believed that the sacred jaw-bone is placed in the Stupa. Lord Buddha had arrived at Sri Lanka three times after his Enlightenment. Muthiyangana is one of those 3 destinations. At that time there were 3 major tribes in Sri Lanka called Deva, Naga and Yaksha. Lord Buddha was invited to visit Badulla by the King of Deva tribes Indaka. Thus King Indaka wanted something to worship in commemoration of Lord Buddha's 3rd arrival to Sri Lanka. Legends say that the Stupa is contained of Buddha’s Sacred hair and Mukthaka Dathu (few drops of sweat which had turned in to pearls ).
By the time Muthiyangana Vihara was built on the destination and a Dagoba was built around the spot where Buddha gave his sermon, that is how it was built in the 4th century. The Muthiyangana Stupa is about 65 feet in height and a diameter of 270 feet. There were 7 Bo trees in the temple premises. By the way, they have been moved or vanished. So you will be able to find just 4 of them. They are named Maliyadeva (last arahant who arrived at Sri Lanka), Ananda Bodi and the last one was planted by King devanam piyatissa as a nascent of Jaya Sri maha Bodhi. Pilgrims believe that King of tribe Deva, Indaka became a God and proceeded among the range of mountains Namunukula.
In addition to the history of the temple, King Devanampiya tissa rebuilt the Dagoba , King Jetta Tissa 1 , King Datusena and King parakramabahu also revamped the Dagoba and the site gradually. You will find a beautiful Makara Thorana (Pandol) at the entrance to the Maha Viharaya. Further you can see 2 image houses in the area. Lastly, the area was renovated in 1956. Therefore maintaining the Dagoba and image houses have become difficult. It should be noted that the Muthiyanagana Raja maharya becomes fully crowded with Pilgrims and tourists on Poya Days. It’s better if you can wear full white dresses on the way to the temple and respect Lord Buddha.