Vaarana Rajamaha Viharaya

Calm temple located in Gampaha district with a historical value

Hii,
I went to this temple on Poson Poya day. It is located in a very attractive environment. This temple has a long history. It was built during the time of King Walagamba. The temple has a beautiful view.

Great ancient temple near Thihariya with cave based viharayas to visit. There is some stepa to climb and you can have a great view of the surrounding from top. A must visit place.

Very beautiful temple. Lots of things to see. Worth visiting

This Buddhist cave temple built in 100 - 200 BC. One of the most beautiful and calm places. This temple has three levels. Middle and upper Levels are almost identical. Perfect place to spend some time to relax. Amazing and simple architecture with beautiful murals and statues.

Warana Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Tiharia, Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. This temple is a historical temple with archaeological value. The Varana Raja Maha Vihara is believed to have been built during the reign of King Devanampiyathissa and was later renovated by King Walagamba. It was also restored by kings Nishanka Malla, Kirti Sri Rajasingha and Parakramabahu VI.

Beautiful & historical place…need to visit definitely 👍…nice view & old wall arts / caves are wonderful…

I was herein 1996 with my wife and a Monk gave me a Ruby gemstone. I put this in a ring and since that day I wear it around my finger. I dont know the name of the Monk but I'm still very grateful for the guided tour and the gemstone. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

Scenic place. Calm and quiet environment. Crowded on poya days. Ample parking. 50 rupees charged for parking. Have wash rooms. Several more temples are situated around this area. (Distances are Included in the below images)

How to reach Varana Temple:
Warana Raja Maha Viharaya, or the Varana Temple got its name because it's located in Warana village. This is one of the cave temple located in Western province of Sri Lanka, which can be reach less than 1.5 hours from Colombo. You will be amazed to see historical cave temples on the giant rocks with some ancient inscriptions(Brahmin script ).

Warana temple is located around 5 km away from the Colombo Kandy highway. If you are coming from Colombo, turn right from Yakkala Junction and go around 4 km. Then you will find "Nelli Gaha Mula" junction and turn left from there. You have to go around 1 km and then take a another side road, which leads you to Warana Temple.

History of Varana Temple:

History of Warana Rock temple flows up to king Devanampiyatissa time. According to some written information he constructed this temple between 2nd and 3rd centery BC. Later the King Walagamba did renovation in 1st century AD. King Walagamba is a famous for Rock ( cave) temple building in Sri Lanka, because he used to hide among most of those caves when kings from south India invades Sri Lanka. After he won the battle, He had build temples in most of these locations or renovate the existing ones. King Nissanka Malla and king Parakarmabahu VI also contributed to the development of this temple.

There are some inscriptions find in Warana temple. They says that "This is donated to Tissa Dhatta Thero, the brother of Majjhima Thero". The Tissa Dhatta Thero is considered as the student of Mahinda Thero.

Temple consist of three levels, In the first level the Sangawasaya ( Where monks lives), and the Darma shalaya ( using for Preaching ) is located.

You have to climb around 40-50 steps to reach the the second level. There is a newly build pond by your right hand side and a small natural pong with lotus by your left hand side on your way there.

Varana Temple
In the middle level ( meda Weeraya - temple at the middle level) you can see a historical Dagebo ( pagoda) and the cave temple. Dageba is small in size and around 800 years old. The cave temple has many Buddha statues and nice paintings. Roof of the cave is painted with beautiful flower decorations and floor has a slope because its located in side the cave.

Varana Temple
The stairs are bit steep. You will see a Dageba and another Cave temple also on the top level. This Dageba seems built or renovate recent times.
You will get a good view of the surrounding area.

Nice n calm place to visit, a temple by rock. The place where all of its main parts are built under natural rock caves. Very old to recent Presco. Very old temple with written history back to 3rd.century BC.

Calm and quiet place. Quick access is from Thihariya town. There is another road before that as well. Road condition is good.
You can go up to the rock. Can see a beautiful view around.

An ancient rock temple in Sri Lanka.

Ancient ,calm beautiful place,surrounded by greenish paddyfields.giant rockview is very attractive .temple's inside photos are upload soon as possible .

You can easily find this place and from colombo - kandy road approx 4km it is located. This place is a very calm and peaceful place. In poya days you can find it as busy. Nature view also nice.

This is another cave temple located near Thihariya in Gampaha district. This temple is also built by King Walagamba. This is a really peaceful and quiet spiritual place.

Ancient Buddhist Temple situated in very calm and beautiful environment.
Warana Raja Maha Vihara has been recognized as an archaeological protected site in Gampaha District by Archaeological department.Warana Raja Maha Vihara is believed to be built by King Devanampiyathissa.The temple is consist of three levels as Pahala maluwa, Meda maluwa and Ihala maluwa. In the first level the Sangawasaya and the Dharama Hall is located and in the middle level the drip ledged cave temple with its ancient Stupa can be seen. It is said that 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 lotus flowers and with various other flower designs. In the top level another Stupa and Cave temple can be seen.
History of Warana Rock temple flows up to king Devanampiyatissa time. According to some written information he constructed this temple between 2nd and 3rd centery BC. Later the King Walagamba did renovation in 1st century AD King Walagamba is a famous for cave temple building in Sri Lanka, because he used to hide among most of those caves when kings from south India invades Sri Lanka. After he won the battle, He had build temples in most of these locations or renovate the existing ones. King Nissanka Malla and king Parakarmabahu VI also contributed to the development of this temple.

Relaxing ancient place surrounded with natural beauty

Very nice palce.ancient temple in gampaha.clam and quite place.

The Rock Temple of Varana is located in the Gampaha district, It is said that King Valagambha used to hide here while he was in exile.