The 16 Sacred Places of Sri Lanka, known as Solosmasthana, are revered sites deeply connected to the visits of Gautama Buddha to the island. These historic locations, including Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Thuparamaya, Mihintale, and Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, are among the most venerated Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in Sri Lanka. The Solosmasthana were blessed by the Buddha himself during his visits to Sri Lanka, making them spiritually significant for Theravāda Buddhists worldwide. Pilgrimages to these sacred sites are a cherished tradition, as devotees pay homage, meditate, and seek blessings at these locations associated with the Buddha’s presence. The Solosmasthana pilgrimage route showcases Sri Lanka’s rich Buddhist heritage, ancient architecture, and the timeless teachings of the Buddha, attracting both local and international visitors interested in Buddhism, history, and spiritual tourism.
The following are the traditional Pali verses to remember the sacred sites:
මහියංගණං නාගදීපං, කළ්යාණං පදලාඤ්ඡනං
දිවාගුහං දීඝවාපි චෙතියං මුතියංගණං
තිස්සමහාවිහාරඤ්ච බෝධිං මරිචවට්ටියං,
සොණ්ණමාලි මහාචේතිං ථූපාරාම භයාගිරිං
ජේතවනං සේලචේතිං, තථා කාචරගාමකං,
ඒතේ සෝළස ඨානානි අහං වන්දාමි සබ්බදා.
1. Mahiyaṅgaṇaṃ 2. Nāgadīpaṃ, 3. Kaḷyāṇaṃ 4. Padalāñchanaṃ
5. Divāguhaṃ 6. Dīghavāpi cetiyaṃ 7. Mutiyaṅgaṇaṃ
8. Tissamahāvihārañca 9. Bodhiṃ 10. Maricavaṭṭiyaṃ,
11. Soṇṇamāli mahācetiṃ 12. Thūpārāma 13. Bhayāgiriṃ
14. Jetavanaṃ 15. Selacetiṃ, tathā 16. Kācaragāmakaṃ,
ete soḷasa ṭhānāni ahaṃ vandāmi sabbadā.
Learn how to visit and worship all of these places by clicking on the links below:
Mahiyangana: First of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
The Blessed One came to Mahiyangana on a Duruthu Poya day
Nagadeepa: Second of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
The Supreme Buddha travelled from Jethawana to Nagadeepa in His fifth year of enlightenment in order to end the Naga tribe’s war on the April Thuduswaka Poya Day.
Kelaniya Rajamahavihara: Third of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
On full moon day of Vesak in the eighth year of Our Blessed One’s enlightenment, the Tathagata visited this holy place with five hundred monks
Sri Pada Lanchana: Fourth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak is an ancient pilgrimage site, which has long attracted thousands of pilgrims from all faiths.
Divaguhava: Fifth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
The Divaguhawa cave temple, which is located in a deep jungle, is today well-known for being a sacred location.
Deegawapiya: Sixth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
Deegavapi, which means long reservoir in Pali, is one of the 16 places which has been blessed by the Buddha’s presence.
Muthiyanganaya: Seventh of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
The Supreme Buddha visited this place on the invitation of God Indaka after visiting Kelaniya.
Thissa Maha Viharaya & Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya: Eighth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient temple which is among the Solosmasthana.
Jayasri Maha Bodhi Tree: Ninth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
May our gratitude be extended to the Jayashree Maha Bodhi
Mirisawetiya: Tenth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
The Mirisaweti Stupa is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura.
Ruwanweli Maha Seya: Eleventh of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
Ruwanweli Maha Seya is the place which enshrines the largest amount of relics of the Blessed one in one place.
Thuparama Sae Rajanan Wahanse: Twelfth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
Thuparamaya, the oldest Stupa in Sri Lanka built after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
Abhayagiriya Stupa: Thirteenth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
Abhayagiri Temple was a major monastery and educational site of Theravada Buddhism and has been visited by The Supreme Buddha on his third visit to Sri Lanka
Jethavanaramaya: Fourteenth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
The Jetavanaramaya is a Buddhist Stupa located in the ruins of Jetavana in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. It is one of the eight sacred places in Sri Lanka (Aṭamasthāna)
Mihintale: Fifteenth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
Mihintale is the place where Buddhism first blossomed in Sri Lanka.
Kataragama Kiri Vehera: Sixteenth of Sixteen Sacred Places in Sri Lanka
Kataragama Kiri Vehera is one of the most important places of worship for Buddhists in Sri Lanka, who come in entire devotion and pray for blessings from God Kataragama, who is revered as the guardian of Buddhism.