heritage · Southern
Wewurukannala Buduraja Maha Viharaya — Matara
Cover photo: Zoshua Colah (Unsplash)
- District
- Matara
- Province
- Southern
- Best for
- Buddhist pilgrims and art lovers; giant seated Buddha and tunnel murals of hell and heaven
About this place
Temple at Dikwella with a 50-metre seated Buddha and a mural tunnel depicting punishments and rewards. About 20 km east of Matara on the A2 road; allow one hour. Small donation; cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes in shrines.
Visitor brief
Good to know before you go
- Allow about one hour for the giant Buddha, mural tunnel and shrine halls.
- Cover shoulders and knees; remove shoes and hats in shrine areas.
- Small donation expected; confirm any camera fee before photographing inside halls.
- The mural tunnel depicts vivid hell/heaven scenes some children may find intense.
- Combine with Hummanaya Blowhole for a Dikwella half-day.
How to travel there
At Dikwella on the A2 (~20 km east of Matara); any Matara-Tangalle bus passes Dikwella, then short tuk-tuk inland.
Where to stay
Dikwella (beach guesthouses and mid-range hotels) or Tangalle for larger resorts.
Nearby places
Hummanaya Blowhole (Kudawella), Dikwella Beach, Dondra Head Lighthouse, Tangalle Beach
Scams to watch for
- No major scam documented; self-appointed guides at the gate quoting fees; the temple is walkable alone.
- Tuk-tuk drivers bundling temple plus blowhole at inflated day rates; agree the full itinerary price first.
Comments & tips