Somawathiya Chaitya
A revered ancient stupa said to enshrine a tooth relic of the Buddha, set within a national park on the Mahaweli floodplain that is also home to wild elephants.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free, donation welcomed
- Opening hours: Daylight hours
- Time needed: Half day
- Best time: The drier months, and the full-moon festival days
Getting there
On the Mahaweli River north of Polonnaruwa, about 40km via Somapura by rough roads.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Somawathiya Chaitya?
- Free, donation welcomed.
- What are the opening hours at Somawathiya Chaitya?
- Daylight hours.
- How long should I spend at Somawathiya Chaitya?
- Plan for half day.
- When is the best time to visit Somawathiya Chaitya?
- The drier months, and the full-moon festival days.
- How do I get to Somawathiya Chaitya?
- On the Mahaweli River north of Polonnaruwa, about 40km via Somapura by rough roads.