Sirimeghavanna, also known as Kirthi Sri Meghavarna and Kithsirimevan was King of
Anuradhapura in the 4th century. According to the
traditional chronology, he ruled during 304–332 CE; the modified chronology adopted by modern scholars such as
Wilhelm Geiger assigns his reign to 352–379 CE.
He succeeded his father
Mahasena Mahasena or Mahāsena may refer to:
*Mahasena, a name for Murugan, Hindu god of war
*Mahasena of Anuradhapura, a historical king of Sri Lanka who ruled from 275 to 301 CE.
*Mahasena, a legendary king of the Kataragama region in Sri Lanka said to hav ...
as
King of Anuradhapura
The Anuradhapura Kingdom ( Sinhala: , translit: Anurādhapura Rājadhāniya, Tamil: ), named for its capital city, was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka related to the Sinhalese people. Founded by King Pandukabhaya in 437 B ...
and was succeeded by his brother
Jettha Tissa II.
After the death of King Mahasen, his son Siri Meghavanna came to power. He gathered
Mahavihara bhikkus and asked them how he could rectify the damage caused by his father. Mahavihara bhikkus stated that Mahavihara and magnificent Lowa Maha Paaya were destroyed during his father's time. King Siri Meghavanna restored Mahavihara and Lowa Maha Paaya. He made a statue of Mahinda Thera and placed it in Mihintale.
Importance
The sacred
relic of the tooth of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of this king
who welcomed it with great respect, ushered them to his capital and enshrined it in ''Meghagiri Viharaya'', presently known as
Isurumuniya
Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated near to the Tissa Wewa (Tisa tank) in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. There are four carvings of special interest in this Vihara. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family.
History ...
in Anuradhapura. In order to honor the sacred tooth relic, an annual procession called ''dalada perahera'' begins from the era of this king.
Another creation of Siri Meghavanna is Egoda Kelaniya (එගොඩ කැලණිය) temple (Kithsiri Mewan Rajamaha Viharaya). The stupa enshrines Lord Buddha's Jalasatika Dhatu (ජලසාටිකා ධාතූන් වහන්සේ - නානකඩය) the bathing sarong. It is believed that the stupa surface is amazingly wet at all times of the year. There is a siripathula (සිරිපතුල) near this stupa, and if one visits the place do not miss to worship the siripathula also. The bodhi tree at this place is a wel-bodhi (වැල් බෝධී) and it is also believed that meditation gives very good results near it.
In popular culture
In the 2014 Sinhala film ''
Siri Daladagamanaya'', the role of Sirimeghavanna is played by Udara Rathnayake.
See also
*
List of Sinhalese monarchs
*
History of Sri Lanka
References
External links
Kings & Rulers of Sri LankaCodrington's Short History of Ceylon
Monarchs of Anuradhapura
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