2300 year old Yatagala Rajamaha Viharaya is a Buddhist place of worship that has been recipient of Royal Patronage from Three Kings of Sri Lanka. It was established during the reign of King Devanam Piyatissa of the Anuradhapura period, when one of the first saplings from the revered Sri Maha Bodhi Tree was planted here.
It is said that, King Parakrama Bahu the Second of the Dambadeniya period ordered his Minister Devapathiraja to build the 18 riyan reclining Buddha astute in the cave of the gigantic rock outcrop, which infact gave the name.
During the days of the last King of Sri Lanka, King Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe of Kandy the temple was bestowed with Nindagam or gift of land and many other valuable gifts, which are todate in the custody of the Viharadipathi of the Temple. During the time of British Colonial Rule, the incumbent Chief Priest cultivated a strong friendship with Govner Marshall and one of the Buddhist Schools established then was named after him and still bears the name.
