Muthiyanganaya Raja Maha Viharaya lies in the centre of the city of Badulla. The History of this temple goes back to the time of Buddha but this area around Badulla (especially Uva Province) goes way back in to the time of 19th -18th century BCE. Emperor Rawana was ruling this country with Badulla as the capital. It is also believed that the War of Rama and Rawana took place in this area. There are many places and names which identify this area as one of Rawana’s capitals; Seetha Eliya, Seetha Kotuwa, and Rawana Ella as described in Ramayana. It is said that the Rawana finally lost the war and his defector brother Vibishana took the capital to Kelaniya and the Uva gradually got lost in history until the 5th century.