The Hideaway - Maligathanne Temple

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Situated atop a rock that is the tallest point in the Colombo district (Western Province), Maligatenne is said to have been a seat of power simply for the reason that the sacred tooth relic having been safeguarded here.

The 1st Nilame has been appointed from here being the “Hiripitiye Nilame”, a tradition that continues even today. King Valagamba had strategically built Maligatenne on safety and security with the 2-tiered rock offering visibility and the passage to the top that goes through a corridor of rocky walls. As sand was not available here the village of Pasgammana was used to carry sand to the top.

	A dagoba and a lily pond is situated at the top with splendid views in every angle. A 100 year old image of Lord Buddha and an amazing mushroom-like cave. That todate easily offers shelter to over 300 people. It is said that this cave has a mere 4x3Ft circumference at the ground. Maligatenne has 20 caves situated on around 67 acres. Its history is linked to the Kandian era and is more known as a meditation center with 81 years of its recent past has been used by Buddhist priests. Today the Venerable Ketawala Ghanaratne Himi is the chief priest at Maligatenne.