Temples of Mahagama

There are four Buddhist temples at present in the village.The oldest temple is Sri Sudarshanaramaya  which was founded by Bombuwala Dassanasara Thera in 19th century.Then Bombuwala Jinananda Thera assumed duty here as the chief incumbant thera of the temple.When he grew older he handed over the temple  to one of his disciples called Rev.Bombuwala Nandasara Thera who was an educated priest.He who passed away at the age of 102 handed over the temple to his disciple Rev.Mahagama Jinananda Thera . The second temple which is situated at Immilla was founded there about  100 or so years ago.The third which  is situated at Delpawatta was founded about 30 years ago.There is another at Tennahena which I have not visited yet

History of Mahagama

According to my grandfather, Nayage Suramanis Fernando who died in 1983 at the age of 90,  first settlers  who arrived from Omatta, an adjoining village to the northeast, started their life in a remote part of Mahagama  called Gangodawatta long ago.My belief is it could well be in 18th century.The main reason for the arrival was graphite  which was in abundance there at that time.there were plumbago mines there which provided employment or a steady income for a good number of people who worked in these mines.It is no wonder some people decided to settle in around these mines as these mines guaranteed uninterrupted income for year to come.