Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya

Hi guys, hope you are doing well. Where I’m going to take you today is the last destination of my recent trip to Kandy. I will take you today to Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya situated in Kandy. ‘Seya’ means ‘Stupa’ in Sinhalese. It is not only a beautiful sight, but also there is a major speciality in this stupa. It is not a solid structure unlike other Stupa, it is a shell.

In my recent article Kotmale Dam, I told you that Mahaweli Maha Seya is visible from Kotmale Dam. Here is how.

There are about 3km from Kotmale Dam to Mahaweli Maha Seya. Vehicles can reach right up to the stupa.

History of Mahaweli Maha Seya

Even though the Stupa is opened to the public in 2016, the commencement has taken place a long time ago. According to Wikipedia, Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya was built in remembrance of 50 temples submerged and lots of properties lost as a consequence of the Mahaweli Development Programme. You might remember I said that Kotmale Dam also a part of Mahaweli Development Programme.

Even though this Stupa is opened to the public, the construction works are not fully completed.

Therefore, you might even consider donating for the construction of Mahaweli Maha Seya. As I told you earlier also, this is a shell structure. There is only one other shell Stupa in Sri Lanka, that is Kalutara Stupa. And the designs of both Stupa are done by Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe (aka Concrete Kulasinghe).

Inside the larger Stupa there is a smaller Stupa. Devotees can worship around that small Stupa.

Outside the Stupa, you have a beautiful panoramic view including Kotmale Reservoir and Dam.

How to Reach…?

Refer the map below for the exact location of the Stupa.

You won’t find many accommodations around Kotmale area, but Kandy is always a good base to visit these areas.

So that is about Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya, nothing much to say about it. But if you have any queries, feel free to leave a comment below.