Dedigama Archaeological Museum

This is a stupa located closer to Nelumdeniya in Kegalle district. The name “kotawehera” has being derived from the shape of the stupa, which does not have the usual upper part (eka dewatha kotuwa, kotha)

Another name used for this stupa is, “Suthigara Chathiya”. In sinhala “suthigharaya” mean the place used for a birth. According to the history Queen Rathnavalie used this place to give the birth to her baby, who was later become King Parakramabahu I (Barakramabahu the Great) who ruled in the Polonnaruwa Kingdom era (1153-1186 AD).

With the excavations done by the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka, another small stupa had found inside of this large stupa. That stupa is not in the center of the large stupa and hence possible to view from the opening at a side of the main stupa.

According to the shape of the stupa some may think the construction works of it had being completed partially. But there is a model of the stupa which has being found by the excavations. That model shows the real shape of the stupa which is not common in the country.

Very informative and exhibits are arranged logically. There are very rare exhibits uncovered from excavations at the site. Staff is friendly and equipped with adequate knowledge about exhibits. Must visit place for history lovers.

It's truly amazing to see how much archaeological museums have developed over the years, and the inauguration of regional museums by the Archaeological Department is a clear testament to that.

The very first regional museum that was established in this way was the Archaeological Museum at Dedigama, which dates back to 1954. Its purpose was to showcase the antiquities found during the excavations of Sutighara chetiya at Kotavehera, Dedigama.

You'll be fascinated to know that the Dedigama Archaeological Museum has a model of the relic chambers, as well as some very interesting exhibits that are documented according to the chamber in which they were found. It's a great example of how a relic chamber was built within the dome of a stupa.

The person in charge of the museum is very knowledgeable and will no doubt enhance your understanding and appreciation of the sacred relics buried in the past.

If you visit, you'll also get to see various antiquities that were found in Panduwasnuwara and Kegalla District, all of which belong to the reign of King Parakramabahu I.

This is the Birth place of King PARAKRAMABAHU the 1st..

Dedigama is ancient city in sri lanka.
This is birth place of king Maha Parakramabahu.

Serene.. tranquility

The birth place of a great king(Parakramabahu the great)

This place has the elephant lamp, one of the technical marvels from the past

Place where the king Parakramabahu the first was born

Must see place for local & foreign travelers

Eth pahana belong to hear

Best historical place

proud to be sri lankan

I like it

Place you must see.

good place

Lot to see

දැදිගම සූතිගර චෛත්‍ය හෙවත් කොටවෙහෙර ,මහා පරාක්‍රමබාහු රජුගේ උපන් ස්ථානය යැයි සැලකේ. දැදිගම ඇත් පහන සඳහාද මෙම ප්‍රදේශය ප්‍රසිද්ධියක් උසුලයි.

Purana dedigama kotaweherin hamuwun natayawasesa dekaganna puluwan una

Kata wehera pilibada wisthara patta awith balanna