Muthugala Gallen Rajamaha Viharaya

Muthugala (or Muthugalla) is a small village at the intersection of two minor roads in the jungle about eight kilometers north of Manampitiya. The village lies close to the right bank of the Mahaweli River, at the edge of the Muthugalla villu. Muthugala Villu is one of the 6 villus which hugs the Mahaweli Ganga River in the Polonnaruwa district. The others are Handapanwila, Bandiyawila, Karapola, Katuwanwila and Manampitiya. Villus are marshy areas that occur along river floodplains, occupying the natural river levees. Each villu consists of a saucer-shaped pool that is more or less filled with water throughout the year, and a marginal floodplain that is inundated only during floods. Villus are also known as ox-bow lakes in other parts of the world.

Mutugala Gallen Rajamaha Viharaya has also been called Segallen Raja Maha Viharaya in the past. Mutugala has been converted into a forest monastery today with a few priests who protect the site from treasure hunters. Of the ruins, a medium-sized stupa made of bricks, dilapidated from the ravages of time, and vandalized by treasure hunters lies at the top of the rock. No excavation or conservation of the stupa has been done so far. There are also ruins of a much older stupa made out of rock and rubble found at the site and a few others scattered around the site. The whole area is covered in various ruins such as moonstones, pillar bases, stone pillars, and other stone rubble belonging to various buildings.

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