Son of Khallátanága and Anuládevi.
Vattagámani adopted him (thereby earning the title of Pitirájá) and took him with him when forced to flee from the Damilas (Mhv.xxxiii.35, 45; Dpv.xx.22f, 31).
Mahácúla succeeded Vattagámani as king of Ceylon and ruled for fourteen years (17-3 B.C.). He worked in a rice field, disguised as a labourer, and with the wages so earned gave alms to Mahásumma. For three years he laboured in a sugar mill near Sonnagiri and built the viháras known as Mandavápi, Abhayagallaka, Vankávattakagalla, Díghabáhugallaka, and Jálagáma. He was succeeded by Coranága (Mhv.xxxiv.1ff). Mahácúla had two sons, Tissa (poisoned by the notorious Anulá) and Kutakannatissa. Mhv.xxxiv.15, 28.