A site of great significance to Buddhists as it is believed to have been consecrated by Lord Buddha himself, who spent some time in meditation there with 500 arahats (individuals who have reached enlightenment), during his third visit to the island.  This ancient Buddhist temple was one of the four major Buddhist monasteries established in Sri Lanka, after the arrival of Arhant Mahinda Thera who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka during the reign of  King Dharmasoka in India. The Dagoba which is situated in the premises is one of the largest stupas in Sri Lanka.  It is situated on the way to Kataragama from Hambantota.

The site was consecrated by Lord Buddha himself, who spent some time in meditation there with 500 arhats (individuals who have reached enlightenment). The Tissamaharama Dagoba which is situated in the premises of Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya is one of the largest stupas in Sri Lanka. A stupa is a Buddhist dome-shaped religious monument found largely on the Indian subcontinent and also called a dagoba in Sri Lanka.