Lahugala is a national park that has not been spoiled as of today and lies in the Monaragala District. The Magul Maha Vihara is 22km from the Siyambaladuwa town and from Pottuvil it is around 11 km off.
Legend states that King Kavantissa in the 2nd century BC built the Temple on the same grounds where he married Princess Vihara Maha Devi the daughter of King Kelanitissa. The Vihara premises stills sports the foundations of the Magul Maduwa where the wedding took place. The Vihara complex is around 10,000 acres and even to date there can be seen relics of the palace, a moonstone, monastery, bo-tree, stupas and ponds. The moonstone that is here is a unique one as it is said to be the only moonstone in the country where elephants have been carved with their mahouts.
There is another legend that King Dhatusena built this temple initially and other monarchs who followed him renovated the temple during their reign. The stone inscription at the venue dates back to the 14th century and is proof of what has been stated here.
According to legend, Vihara Maha Devi the daughter of King Kelantissa offered to sacrifice herself at sea to soothe the gods who were infuriated at the King for penalizing a blameless monk. However, the Princess was carried over the waves in a safe manner thus reaching Muhudu Maha Vihara in the Pottuvil region, where King Kavantissa met the Princess, which resulted in their marriage. Legend also relates that the marriage itself was held in the premises of the Magul Maha Vihara situated in Lahugala, where King Kavantissa constructed the temple to celebrate his marriage. The word “Magul” in native Sinhalese means “wedding” or :auspicious.”
