Aluvihare (Sinhala: අලුවිහාරය Tamil: அலுவிஹார்) is a suburb of Matale, in Central Province of Sri Lanka.[1] It lies 3.5 km (2.2 mi) north of Matale and 150 km (93 mi) north-east of the capital Colombo.

Aluvihare
අලුවිහාරය
அலுவிஹார்
suburb
Entrance to Aluvihare rock temple
Aluvihare is located in Sri Lanka
Aluvihare
Aluvihare
Coordinates: 7°30′N 80°37′E / 7.500°N 80.617°E / 7.500; 80.617
CountrySri Lanka
ProvinceCentral Province
DistrictMatale
DivisionMatale Division
Government
 • TypeMatale Municipal Council
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time)
Postal Code
21054
Area code066

The suburb is situated on the Kandy-Jaffna highway (A9).

It was founded by Valagamba of Anuradhapura, around 300 B.C. but did not receive the name Aluvihare until a later date. The Aluvihare family originated from the area, an important family responsible for looking after the Aluvihare Rock Temple, and thus serving the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka.[2]

Today, Aluvihare is a popular attraction for both tourists and Buddhists wishing to visit the Aluvihare Rock Temple.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tribune. Vol. 26. Ceylon News Service. 1982. p. 20.
  2. ^ විශේෂාංග dinamina.lk