Saparagamu Maha Saman Devalaya

This legendary place of worship is located in the Ratnapura district in Saparagamuwa or Sabaragamuwa as the province is now known. The history of the Saparagamu Maha Saman Devalaya could be traced back to the Kingdom of Dambadeniya, to the time of King Parakramabahu II (1236–70) whose rule is depicted in the annals of history as a golden era marked with much exuberance and opulence. The story goes that the devalaya had originally been a temple named the Saparagrama Maha Viharaya, during the time when the Yaksha, Naga and Deva clans ruled the isle of Sri Lanka and Saparagrama and its people, who belonged to the Deva clan, were presided over by a strong yet kind-hearted leader by the name of Sumana. At present, Saparagamu Maha Saman Devalaya is well known for its annual Esala Perahara (procession).