Maya Rata

The Maya Rata (Principality of), also known as the Kingdom of Dakkinadesa, was a principality or an administrative region of the Sinhalese kingdom. It was located in the Southwestern part of Sri Lanka, bordered the Deduru Oya. Its last capital was Parakramapura. The principality was disbanded following the formation of the second kingdom of Polonnaruwa by Parakramabahu I.^[1][2]

A ruins of a Bodhighara (an enclosure constructed around bo-trees) at Kingdom of Dakkinadesa archaeological site

The so-called Chakrawalaya, foundations of a circular building or tower, and the subject of numerous stories

The ruins of the palace (12th century)

Ruins of Buddhist Panchayathana

Principality of Maya Rata
504 BC–1153
Principality of Maya Rata   Kingdom of Polonnaruwa before 1153   Principality of Ruhuna
Capital	Panduwasnuwara (504 BC–12 century) Kelaniya (3rd century BC)
Common languages	Sinhala
Religion	Buddhism
Government	Monarchy
• 504 BC-474 BC	Panduwas Deva
• 1187–1196	Parakramabahu of Dakkhinadesa
History
• Established	504 BC
• Disestablished	1153
Preceded by Succeeded by Kingdom of Upatissa Nuwara Anuradhapura Kingdom 1153: Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

While Rajarata was under the direct administration of the King, Maya Rata was governed by a "Mapa" ^{[n. 1]}(Sinhala: මාපා, [maːpaː]), also referred to as a "Mahaya". The name of the region, "Maya," is derived from this title (Mahaya Rata > Maya Rata).^[3]

See also

• History of Sri Lanka
• List of Maya Rata monarchs
• List of monarchs of Sri Lanka

Notes

1. The principality of Ruhuna was governed by an "Epa" (Sinhala: ඈපා, [æ:pa:])