Located in the far south of the country near Yala, the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara lies in the town after which it takes its name, on the shores of the Tissa Wewa. One of the Solosmasthana, or sixteen sacred sites of veneration, lies on the ground consecrated during the third visit of the Buddha together with 500 arahants to the island. The stupa within the temple complex is believed to enshrine the left tooth relic of Lord Buddha.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass