Nagadeepa, around 300 km from Colombo, is a sacred place for Buddhists all over the world. This seya is located on Nagadeepa Island, which requires a 20-minute boat ride across the ocean.
Significance of Nagadeepa
- 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).
- The Blessed One preached Dhamma while being seated on the gemstone chair of the Kings Chulodara and Mahodhara of the Naga tribe.
- A deva named Samiddi Sumana brought the banyan tree named Kiripalu by holding it as an umbrella from Jethawana.
- The Supreme Buddha accepted and had the dana offered by the Naga tribe.
- In the past, Pacceka Buddhas have taken dana in this meritorious land.
- The King Maniakkitha of the Naga tribe invited lord Buddha to visit Sri Lanka again. Lord Buddha accepted that invitation.
- The banyan tree named Kiripalu where Buddha spent time was planted in Nagadeepa.
- This Sacred stupa at Nagadeepa enshrines the Gemstone chair on which the Buddha was seated.
Stanza to worship Nagadeepa Seya
භගිනීසුත මාතුලේහි දින්නේ
මණිපල්ලංකවරේ යඟිං නිසින්නෝ,
මුණිධම්ම මදේසයී මුනීනං
සිරසා තං පණමාමි නාගදීපංBhaginīsuta mātulehi dinne
Maṇipallaṅkacare yahiṃ nisinno,
Muṇidhamma madesayī panītaṃ
Sirasā taṃ paṇamāmi nāgadīpaṃ
What to bring
If you like, flowers and/or oil to offer at the shrines
Directions to Nagadeepa
About 9 hours from Colombo via Kandy-Jaffna Main Road, and there you can get a 20-minute boat ride to Nainativu,
Opening Hours: Daily: 9 am to 4.30 pm
Contact Information: Phone: 023 213 356
