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Traveller’s Master Guide Sri Lanka
P. A. A. Kumarasinghe
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TRAVELLER’S MASTER GUIDE- SRI LANKA
Traveller’s Master Guide Sri Lanka
© P. A. A. Kumarasinghe
ISBN:- 948-955-42197-0-0
1st Print - 2015 March
Typseting Yasoda Graphics - Anuradhapura
Cover :- P. K. D. Chaminda
Print by:- S&S Printers No. 49, Jayantha Weerasekara Mawatha, Colombo 10. Tel: 011 2 384028
Traveller’s Master Guide Sri Lanka All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be translated,
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission from the Chief Author.
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Contents – Text Page No The Author ............................................... 5 Preface ……………………….....……....……… 7 Anuradhapura .. Historical Background of Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura Kingdom). ....... 9 Jaya Sri maha bodhya (sacred tree). ......................................... 12 Lova Maha Paya. (Bronze Palace)……… 14 Chathus Salawa – Maha Vihara Alms Hall………….........…. 15 Ancient Hospital belonged to Maha viharaya ………………....…........….. 15 Ruwanweli Maha Seya. (Ratnamali Maha Thupa)………........….. 17 Thuparamaya - Stupa and Monastery Complex ……………......…….. 18 Anuradhapura Kingdom-Inner and outer Cities……………….............…… 21 The Palaces of Anuradhapura. ............... 21 Abhaya Giri Vihara Monastery Complex Twin Ponds……………………………........…. 23 The Samadhi Buddha Statue….....…….. 24 Jantha Ghara…………………………. ........... 26 Abhaya Giriya Dagaba…………….......….. 27 Abhi Seka Mandapaya (Coronation Hall)…………....……........….. 29 Sanni Patha Shalawa or Chief Meeting Hall…………............…….. 29 The Building Belonged to Monasteries…………….......…….....….. 30 Dana Salawa (Alms Hall)…..............…… 30 Ath Pokuna (Elephant Pond)……......…. 31 Bodhi Garaya (The House of the Bodhi tree)…………..................…. ............ 32 Dalada Mendura (Temple of the Tooth Relic)……………. ............................. 32 Ratna Prasadaya (Chapter house)................................… 32 The Moonstone……………………......…….. 33 Lankaramaya ……………………………......… 35 Jethavana Dageba, Monastery Complex, Museum Museum……………………………......…….…. 36 Bodhi Garaya (Tha House of the Bodhi tree) Stone Railing. ...................... 37 Uposatha Gara (The Chapter House)…………………...........……. ............... 38 Dana Salawa (Alms Hall)………….....…… 38 Jetha Vanarama Dageba…………........… 38 Patima Ghara (The Image House).....… 41 Mirisaweti Dageba, Monastery complex……………………. ............................ 43
Anuradhapura Museum………......……… 44 Dhakkhina Thupa…………………….....…… 45 Isurumuni Viharaya (Meghagiri Viharaya)…………..……. .......................... 45 Ranmasu Uyana (Royal park)……......… 47 Wessagiriya (Isurumuni Vihara Complex)……………..........................…… 48 Tantirimale…………………………......………. 51 Mihintale…………………………….......……… 52 Ritigala…………………………………........…… 63 Aukana Buddha Statue………….....……… 69 Polonnaruwa The Historical background of Polonnaruwa Kingdom. ................... 72 MUSEUM OF POLONNARUWA .............. 81 Dvipa Udyana, The Island Garden. ......... 82 Pothgul Viharaya – Statue of Ascetic Kapila Takshila - (School)…. ....... 85 SEA OF PARAKRAMA – POLONNARUWA…….................……….. 88 The king Parakrama bahu (1153 - 1186 AD)………..........….......….. 95 The Palace Complex of the king Maha Parakrama bahu....................…. 96 Maha Parakrama bahu's Royal Council Hall (Raja vesya – bhujanga Mandapaya)……………......….. 97 Royal Bath – Kumara Pokuna(Pond).… 98 Siva Devalaya No. 01………………........… 99 Dalada Maluwa (The Terrace of the Tooth Relic)…. ............................ 100 The Trade in the Ancient Polonnaruwa Kingdom and the trade city……………….......……… 110 Pabalu Vehera……………………….......…… 113 Shiva Devalaya No.02……………. .......... 114 Menik Vehera, Vihara Complex........… 114 Rankoth Vehera………………….............… 116 The Ancient Hospital……………........…... 117 Gopala Pabbata………………….......……… 118 Alahana Pirivena…………..…........………. 118 Badda sima Prasadaya (The Chapter House)………….........…….. 120 Lankatilaka Image Hous……….......…….. 121 Kiri Vehera……………….....……............…. 123 Uttaramaya (Galviharaya)…….........….. 125 Thiwanka Pilimage (Jethavanaramaya – Image House) ...................................... 129 Medirigiriya Watadage……….........…... 132 Somawathi (Stupa)………………..........…. 133 Dimbulagala…………………………..….....… 134
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Kandy ........... Temple of the Tooth Relic – Kandy……………..............……….…...…. .. 134 The History of the Tooth Relic...…...… 136 Esala Perahera (Esala Procession) Kandy…………. ..................................... 142 Palace Complex (Kandyan Kingdom)……………. ............... 145 Vishnu Maha Devalaya……………....….. 151 Natha Devalaya…………………..........….. 152 Pattini Devalaya…………………………..…. 152 St. Paul’s Church – Kandy………………. 153 Tomb - Monument of Sir John Doily… 153 Kataragama Devalaya – Kandy………... 154 The cemetery of the Second World War heroes….........................….....…. 154 Peradeniya Botanical Garden………….. 155 Gadaladeniya Viharaya……………....….. 156 Lankatilaka Viharaya…………………..…… 157 Embekke Devalaya……………………..…… 159 Around srilanka Waterfalls of Sri Lanka…………………….. 161 Matale Aluviharaya…………………..…….. 167 Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya (Cave Temple Complex)………………….. 170 Sigiriya Fortress, Royal Gardens, Palace Complex………………………….…… 179 The Maligavila Buddha Statue……..…. 194 Historical Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya…………………. ............................ 196 Dambadeniya Kingdom……………….….. 196 Yapahuwa Kingdom…………………….….. 198 Jaffna Fortress…………………………….….. 200 Kandasami Kovil of Nallur. (Jaffna).…. 201 Fredrik Fortress – Trincomalee……….. 201 Fortress in Galle…………………………...… 202 What you should know about Sri Lanka The Ancient Irrigation Civilization of Sri Lanka……..................................….. 63 The beginning of the Buddha Statues in Sri Lanka, Evolution and Characteristics……………………. .................. 66 Catching of Wild Bulls, Taming and Selling…….......................................…. 130 The Strategy for Safety of thelast Kingdom in Sri Lanka……………….……… 146 The Cruel tragedy of the Sri Lankan Political History, The assassination of Ehelepola Family……………………………. 149 Catching, taming and training the elephants or “Kuruwe Karyansaya”…………….....……. 160 Traditional caste system of Sri Lanka... 165
Opinions, Faiths and Beliefs……………… 204 Traditional Dancing and Music………... 205 The Textile Industry, Designs……………. 206 Rituals pertaining to Paddy and Chena Cultivations and Tanks………….. 207 The Tea Industry of Sri Lanka…………… 208 Wariga Sabhawa (Council of the Clan)..209 SINHLA – HINDU – New Year Festival.. 210 The Railway time table to popular desitnations…………..........................…. 213 Contents – Maps ................................. Sri Lanka Anuradhapura………………………………….. 8 Abhaya Giri Vihara Monastery Complex. ................................................... 23 Jethavana Dageba, Monastery Complex. 36 Mirisaweti Dageba, Monastery complex..................................................... 43 Tantirimale……………………………………. ...... 51 Mihintale……………………..................….. 52 Ritigala…………………...…….................…. 62 Aukana………………………....................…. 69 Polonnaruwa……………..............……...… 71 Angmedilla Dam……………...............…… 88 Dalada Maluwa, Polonnaruwa........…. 100 Mediigiriya Vatadage, Somawathiya Dageba………............…… 133 Kandy………………………....................…… 135 The cemetery of the Second World War heroes…….....…….. 154 Peradeniya Botanical Garden…….....…. 155 Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Lankatilaka Viharaya, Embekke Devalaya………..…. 157 Matale Aluviharaya…………………..……… 168 Rangiri Dambula Raja Maha Viharaya, Sigirya……………………..........……. ............. 179 Sigiriya Fortress, Royal Gardens, Palace Complex…………………….....…. ...... 189 Sigiri - King's Palace – Complex……. ...... 190 Maligavila……………………………. ............... 193 Kataragama……………………………………… 195 Dambadeniya…………………………………… 197 Yapahuwa…………………………………….….. 198 Jaffna………………………………………….……. 200 Trincomalee………………………………..…… 202 Galle…………………………………………..……. 204
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Fore word
My tour of Thailand in 2003 was the main reason
influenced me to prepare this explorative handbook
as a guide for tourists. I realized that there is a well
organized tourists industry in Thailand. Most of the
erections there have been created recently to win
the attraction of the tourists. When comparing Sri
Lanka with it our heredity goes back to thousands
of years in the past, a country of having a higher
civilization with so many valuable historical monuments and also with
natural beautiful resources, environment, a coastal line and also a
country with a good climatic condition for a long period in the year for
tourists. Though it is a small island - enjoyable prevailing environment
will attract the tourists. As it is what we should do is managing the
necessities with a responsible manner carefully.
I did my part very carefully and thoughtfully with utmost effort. During
our young days in a technologically under developed environment, we
were brought up without facilities like television etc. Our elders were
in the habit of relating praiseworthy interesting stories belonged to our
ancient legends, was a normal tradition. When we reached adolescence
we had a thorough knowledge of legends belonged to our historical
kings. As such what I realized was to prepare a tourists guide book
containing archaeological research based on our ancient monuments
and explorations. As there are so many facts it is a difficult task to include
all of them in a booklet like this. Therefore I have mentioned here only
the very specific informations only. I tried my best, to include these facts
very impartially. If there is anything hurting or annoying I apologise.
I very respectfully commemorate everybody who contributed to build
these monuments, from the very inception Rev. Arahath Mahinda Thero
(250BC) King Devanampiyatissa (250-210BC) very respectful monks and
all the kings and our fore fathers are honorably remembered. The idea
of preparing a booklet like this came to me due to the participation of
my beloved friend Mr. K. H. S. A. Kasthuriarachchi and crowd in the tour
in Thailand, my thanks to him too. Though you get this book for a small
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sum of rupees, the enormous endeavour, time, labour and money spent
by me is very high. A big amount of wealth I gained from the parents
too had to spend. By spending so much of money and going all over the
country in search and accumulating the informations, at the beginning
there were objections from my wife. But after explaining the facts,
very humbly accepting them, she did all her duties to my aged father
and three of my daughters and me, as well. Mr. A. M. Karunarathna, a
skilful writer, former G. A. Kurunegala, Retired Chairman of the western
province public service commission, became a teacher of mine, in
finding historical informations. I learned from him about stabilizing the
facts find in books, by going to archaeological sites. In preparing this
booklet, I had to go through a very large number of books. Therefore
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the undermentioned
persons. The educated editors of the associated books, the translators of
those books, Anuradhapura Librarian and the working staff, H. C. P. Bel,
a British, treated as the father of archaeology and all the archaeological
commissioners, who rendered an inestimable service for archaeology of
Sri Lanka, the curators incharge of archaeological sites, who did not do any
obstruction, when I visited the sites to observe them, the photographers
who supplied, photographs of archaeological importance and those
who protected them. Last of all I would like to extend my sincere thanks
to Mr. Somapala Wijesundara, Retired Director, Education incharge of
ART, (Kala Bhooshana-Kalakeerthi) N.C.P. for doing a very responsible,
strenuous and inestimable work in translating this book to English.
P. A. A. Kumarasingha
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Preface
This booklet written by Mr.P.A.A.Kumarasingha
about the ancient ruins, paintings, decayed
buildings and holy places etc of our country, after a
thorough study is very interesting I found him to be
a person devotes much of his time in archaeology,
though he is not either an archaeologist or an Artist.
But anyway as he has mentioned in his foreword,
that he was inspired to write a book like this by the
tour in Thailand in 2003. Amidst many obstacles, he has travelled in
many places of interest, spending much of his time and money in search
of facts for this book. He expresses his views as well along with the facts
he accumulated. Those views cannot be rejected easily.
The way how he is presenting the facts are interesting. This fascinating
subject is a vast one, not easily to be compressed in to a few pages.
In his analysis of Sigiriya Frescoes mentioning about the two types of
prevailing techniques and the historical facts will be very useful for those
who study art and archaeology. In translating these articles, it is not an
easy task, as certain terms used only in Asian countries, as it is difficult
to find English Terms. However I thank him for his determination in
preparing this book.
Kala Bhushana, Kala Keerthi
Somapala Wijesundara
Retired Director Education/ Art NCP
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Anuradhapura which belongs to about
900 B.C, though archaeologically
come to different opinions, there is
no way of getting an idea about the
Founders of them.
(I) For more than 100 years as there
was no development in Technology,
how could Pandukabhaya get it once?
The present historians and
archaeologists of the whole world
have accepted that the oldest
culture of erecting reservoirs (tanks)
inherited to Sri Lankans. As such, this
prince cannot be an Indian Sakya, but
a Sri Lankan Yakka, and this prediction
of our archaeologists and historians
could be believed.
My ambition is to give you a very
pleasurable entertainment where
you cannot get from anywhere else in
the whole world, as we are a country
inherited for such a long history from
6 B.C. where a number of kings had
been ruling It is a difficult task include
all in one volume. As such this is a
brief analysis of cultural heritage and
the way of life of our people of Sri
Lanka.
1. Jaya Sri maha bodhya (sacred tree)
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
This sacred tree is found in the
sacred city of Anuradhapura. It is a
very holy property of Buddhists in the
whole world. In 250 B.C. the mission
was headed by Thera Mahinda, son
of the Emperor Dharmasoka in India,
was sent to Sri Lanka to propagate
Buddhism. On their arrival, King
Dewanampiytissa welcomed and
JayaSri maha bodhya sacred tree-before reconstructions
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accepted with honour, the gift of
Dhamma (Buddhist Doctrine) and so
many became Buddhists. On hearing
the news the King Dharmasoka would
have felt very happy. As such to
improve the faith and for worship, he
sent the lively symbol of Buddhism,
a branch obtained from the sacred
Bo Tree, which gave the shade to the
Buddha at the time of Enlightenment,
to Sri Lanka through his daughter
Theri Sangamittha. In 249 B.C.
along with some companions, she
brought the sapling of the Bodhi
tree, and embarked at Tamra lipti
and landed at Jabukola in Sri Lanka,
as mentioned in chronicles. The King
Dewanampiyatissa, received with
due honour and brought them to
Anuradhapura in a procession. On
the instructions of Thera Mahinda,
under the leadership of the king
with the participation of the regional
rulers that the sapling was planted in
the Mahamevuna garden, organizing
a grand festival. This is the only tree
which has a written history. This tree
has no top root as was obtained from
a branch of the original tree.
Most of the ancient kings had
contributed in some way. The
most important thing is getting
down the sacred Bo-Tree by King
Dewanampiyatissa, and selecting the
most suitable site and planting it, and
the settling the people belonged to
18 castes, which arrived here for the
security of the Bo-Tree, in suitable
places, in a systematic way. From the
year 249 B.C. up to now the office
bearers of the Board of control of
Sri Maha Bodhiya, officially inherited
from generation to generation. As it
is so amids so many difficulties they
look after the Bo- Tree as if it is their
life, for the benefit of the future
generation, and for the upliftment of
Buddhism. The leaders of those 18
castes, who are looking after Bodhi-
tree are named “Bodhi Haraka” caste
people. They are connected to Asoka
Emperors Dynasty. As such in ancient
times they had the right of heir to the
throne.
There are numbers of old rituals
and ceremonies associated with the
sacred Bo-Tree are being performed
up to this day. There are four great
Festivals performed annually, namely
the New Rice Festival, The New year
Festival, The Old year Festival and
Karthi Festival. The New Rice Festival
being the chief one, it is held with
the participation of many peasants
after reaping the harvest. Almost all
the scattered pious Buddhists in the
country to succeed their activities the
pregnant ladies to deliver the children
safely, and in educational matters, to
face them vigorously they make vows
at the sacred Bo-Tree. As soon as they
succeed in them, they perform their
duties as promised. Kalu Devatha
Bandara is considered as the occupied
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god of the sacred Tree. There was
a Religious Festival named “Dara
Miti Perahera” connected with the
Sacred Bo-Tree based on the Nikini
Full Moon Day. In the month of Nikini
alias August due the terrible drought,
there is a possibility of harming the
Bo-Tree by the wild elephants, who
are going here and there in search of
water, to avert the same, there had
been a habit of the villagers around,
lighting bon fires round the Tree to
frighten the wild elephants and keep
them away. It was the tradition of
the devotees bringing carts full of
firewood in a procession.
(2) Lova Maha Paya. (Bronze Palace)
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
In front of the Northern entrance
of the sacred Bo-Tree, the ruined
building found with a number of
stone pillars is Lova Maha Paya or the
Bronze Palace. It was built by King
Dutugemunu in (161-137 B.C). This
mansion was originally built with 9
storeys and the roof was covered
with copper-bronze tiles. Hence it
was known as “Lova-Pasada” alias
Lova Maha Paya. This was the tallest
building that time. It is described in a
pleasing manner in the 27th chapter
from 24th up to 43 pages in “Maha
Wansa” our great chronicle, about
the size and how the building was
variegated.
It mentions that there were 1000
rooms alone. During the regime of
King Saddhatissa (137-119 B.C) due
to an over toppling of a lamp, it was
burned and destroyed, and again, he
rebuilt in 7 storey. After wards, after
325 years King Sirinaga II renovated
the decayed building, having 5
storeys. Again King Gotabhaya (253-
266 A.C) started renovating and his
son King Jettatissa I (266-276 A.C)
once again raised the height of the
building to seven storeys. His brother
King Mahasen (276-303 A.C) because
of a wicked minister and instigation
of an immoral monk demolished
the mansion. (M. V. 37, 11) But his
son King Keerthi Sri Meghawarna
(303-331 A. C) apologizing from
the monks for his father’s wrongful
acts, rebuilt it once again. A formal
renovation was done last of all by
king Parakramabahu I who reigned
Polonnaruwa making it the capital
(1153-1186A.D) (M.V.74, 12). Here
in each row there are 40 stone pillars
and in all 1600 pillars in the ground
floors have been built on wooden
pillars. In an excavation done, have
found fragments of painted plasters
and burnt Palmyra and Palm (Kithul)
rafters. In the past the building had
been used for monks to perform
their “Uposatha Kamma” as well as
for them to store their goods. Once
in every 15 days Higher Ordained
monks assemble here and confess the
offences committed, and promising
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Lova Maha Paya. (Bronze Palace-before restoration)
not to repeat them in future.
Leaving aside the practicing of
disciplinary activities of the monks it
is a very difficult task to explain them
in detail.
(3) Chathus Salawa – Maha Vihara Alms Hall. To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
Passing the Bronze Palace,
proceeding towards the
Ruwanweliseya to the right
side this can be seen. The King
Devanampiyatissa built this in (250-
210 B.C) Chathus Salawa means a
square Hall, used by the monks, for
having their meals (Dane). The kings
belonged to the later periods, had
done renovations and had sponsored
supplying the alms (Dane) for the
monks in Maha viharaya. It seems
that at least for 3000 monks would
have been supplied with alms from
the Rice Boat here, which is 14.5
metres in length. According to the
Chinese monk Rev Fa-Hsien’s reports,
too it is proved that there had been
3000 monks living in Maha viharaya.
(4) Ancient Hospital belonged to Maha viharaya.
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
This is situated near the main
entrance of Ruwanweliseya. So far
the creator is not revealed, either
from chronicles mentioned about
hospitals in certain chronicles, so far
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Maha Vihara Alms Hall (before restoration)
nothing had been found regarding
this Hospital. If it had been built
after the King Dutugemunu in (161-
137 B.C) easily they could have
mentioned very easily. As Buddhism
was established in 250 B.C. and in the
same year the King Devanampiyatissa
demarcated the Mahamevuna garden
and offered to the monks, they would
have felt the need of a Hospital. As
such it was a periodical need there
would have been at least a small
hospital. It is clean and reconstructed,
when examining carefully.
The ground plan of this site is
almost equal to the ancient Mihintale
and Thuparamaya hospital plans. Due
to ignorance of archaeology, when
preparing the road they have paved
the path over the ruins damaging
them. When closely examining this
site it is clear, that there are ruins
belonged to two different periods.
We can dare say that the Two guard
stones found to the North belonged
to the initial period of Anuradhapura
(B.C and the two guard stones
found to the South belonged to the
medieval period. Considering the
archaeological symptoms of the
mediaeval period or even before it
was a method of native treatment for
the patients, from the ancient times,
which includes, the patient being
dipped in a medicinal boat, where
boiled medicinal water is filled.
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Ruwanweli Maha Seya (before reconstructions)
(5) Ruwanweli Maha Seya. (Ratnamali Maha Thupa)
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
Building of this was started by
Sinhala hero, King Dutugamunu in
(161-137 B.C) built up to the square
enclosure. (The hathares-kotuwa)
Our Great Chronicle the Mahavamsa
describes a very interesting account
of the ceremony held at the laying of
Foundation. For this ceremony alone
participated 1389000 Bhikkus from
various countries.
Enabling to carry the weight
of the Maha Thupa, there dug to a
depth of seven cubits. (About 6.5
metres) Introducing Limestone blocks
and broken with hammers, had
crushed stamped down by elephants
with feet covered in leather to make
it firm. Though the King Dutugemunu
did a large amount of work, but could
not complete the work, as the king
was stung by a cobra, being very
serious, before his death he wanted
to complete the works of the Thupa.
(Probably this could be a conspiracy.)
Summoning his younger brother heir
to the throne, Saddhatissa ordered
him to complete the stupa hurriedly.
Realizing the completion could not
be done before the death of the
king, covered the entire dome with
white jacket made by seamstress
and decorated with Art work, and
placing an umbrella made of lime
stone (the chatta) to crown the Thupa
(Parasol) and informed the Thupa
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work was completed. Then lying on
a palanquin, the king was taken to
the site, to show the Thupa. When
the king beheld the splendid Maha
Thupa, became glad at heart, and
passed away at the same time looking
at the Maha Thupa, according to the
chronicles.
After King Dutugemunu’s
death, his brother Saddhatissa was
enthroned and he finished the work
of the Maha Thupa. (137-119 B.C)
The retaining wall or the “Hasthi
Prakaraya” Elephant wall is one of his
splendid creations. The sand-court
yard and the external wall around
the Maha Thupa were done by King
Kallatanaga. (109-103 B.C) After
wards many other successor King’s
had done several erectings, and
renovations. The King Nissanka Malla,
who reigned in Polonnaruwa, his
Capital (1187-1196 A.D), in his visit
to Anuradhapura on a pilgrimage,
had done a small replica of the Maha
Thupa in lime-stone and had placed
to the right side of the Thupa.
Today what we see is the
Maha Thupa reconstructed by Rev
Naranvita Sumanasara Thero with
the donators. The reconstruction
work started in 1893 and finished in
1940. The above mentioned replica
of the Thupa was very helpful at the
time of reconstructions. The western
frontispiece (Vahalkada) and the
Elephant wall to the left side had been
left aside without reconstructing, to
make it easy for the pilgrims and the
tourists to understand the former
position. As heard from the workers,
who climb the Maha Thupa for white
washing, annually, that the statues
of the King Dutugemunu, found
just below the brick spire, there is a
possibility of having shade to prevent
even from a heavy rain, under the
armpit of the statue. At the same
time between the spire and the
square enclosure, so broad, even two
lorries can pass each other.
(6) Thuparamaya - Stupa and Monastery Complex.
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
Our Great Chronicle the
Mahavamsa and Pujavaliya mention,
at the third visit of the Buddha in
Sri Lanka, our land got refreshed
by trampling with his sacred feet.
According to the chronicles, The
Thuparamaya was first to be built,
since the Buddhism was established
here in Sri Lanka. Following the
advices of Rev Mahinda Thera, this
would have been built in the same
year; King Devanampiyatissa was
enthroned in 250-249 B.C. It was
built enshrining the Right UPPER JAW
BONE relic in the shape of paddy
heap (Dhanyakara) Due to the
renovations done later occasions,
that the shape is not visible now.
The king had planted sapling of
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important items only. Following this
order would be easy for the tourists.
(7) Twin Ponds
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
Proceeding from the innercity it is
found to the Eastern end of Abhayagiri
complex. It is considered to be a
creation of the King Aggabodhi I (575-
608AD) whatever the old name was,
the word Twin had come on a later
occasion. It gives a meaning in Tamil
as two or couple. as such it is named
as 'Twin' Ponds, Using one word for
both ponds. Due to Vivid problems,
discarding of Anuradhapura
Kingdom, The buildings belonged
to Anuradhapura civilization turned
over to a wilderness. Anuradhapura
being a wealthy city in Asia in the
past became a Kingdom of the wild
beasts. Only a few dwellings become
villages. During the dry seasons the
elephants coming down to quench
their thirst, would have damaged the
existed buildings, before they were
damaged due to the natural reasons.
The archaelogical Department has
restored methodically in 1949-1953.
This must have been built for the
bathing purposes for the resident
monks of the Abhayagiri Viharaya. In
addition to the bathing importance,
its artistic quality and the creative
technology is of very high quality and
interesting. The supply of water to the
ponds flows through underground
drainage system. To the left side of
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TRAVELLER’S MASTER GUIDE- SRI LANKA
Twin Ponds(before restoration)
the northern end of the pond, the
drainage system can be seen. The
water is thrice purified and flows in to
the pond. The polluted water drains
out from a point at the bottom of the
small pond. The steps of the stairway
leads to in to the pond are very well
levelled and joined together. It is an
excellent creation without using a
single drop of plaster stone being our
ancient symbol of Irrigatory system
fixced here, is a marvelous creation.
(8)The Samadhi Buddha Statue
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
About 80m. from the Twin ponds,
towards the West, this sacred Statue
can be seen. The creator of this too,
unknown. This is fixed in one of
the four Bodhigharas belonged to
Abhayagiriya Viharaya. According
to the Creative symptoms, it is
considered that this colossal statue
belongs to 3-4AD centuries and it
is accepted the most distinguished
statue in Sri Lanka. It is considered
as one of the greatest pieces of
sculptural Art of early period. When
this statue was found in 1886, its
nose was broken and later it was
restored. But the restoration has
harmed its original artistic quality.
In the chronicles there are so many
instances mentioning about the stone
statues, but we cannot dare say that
they refer to this statue. A golden
patch is seen just behind the right
arm pit which proves that it had been
painted in gold colour. The hollow
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Samadhi Buddha Statue-before restoration
carved eyes were formally inset with
gem or diamond, according to the
archaelogists. The chronicles mention
the King Buddhadasa 340-363AD had
inset the hollow carved eyes with
gems.
There was a very big competition
between the two sects, Maha
Viharaya and Abhayagiriya parties in
the past to win the minds and attract
the attention of the kings and the
pious Buddhists.
As the other religions to propagate
Buddhism or attract the attention,
they never used the power of the
swords. But in this competition, that
was to be in front, the Abhayagiri
monks, used powerful stratagies,
From ancient past, symbolizing their
prophet, The Dharma Chakraya
(The wheel of Dharma) Bodhiya
Holy Sripada (carved foot prints)
the Buddhists pay homage. All
that was done with full respect for
this prophet. But because of the
introduction of new faiths by the
Abhayagiri monks, the real essence
of Buddhist Doctrine disapproved
and came up as in a shape of a faith,
for this different beliefs, faiths were
introduced instead, strategically, they
introduced same Hindu Gods in the
guise of fulfilling and safeguarding the
needs of ordinary people, the kings,
and the Buddhism. In addition they
inculcated the ideas that they could
seek their salvation by Buddha pooja
(Offering to Buddha) Bodhi pooja and
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with warm water. Grinding stones
used during the past also had been
discovered. There had been trenches
to drain out the impure water.
(9) Abhaya Giriya Dagaba
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
This was built by the King
Walagambahu (89-77) during his
second regime of reigning, along with
a monastery. During his first regime
there was an Indian Invasion. Loosing
the war, as the king was passing this
place, while running for safety and
to reorganize himself that time there
was a hermitage built by the king for
the Nighanta (naked hermits) (380-
310) ascetic named 'Giri' who was
living in it shouted loudly' Mahakalu
Sinhalaya Penayayi' The Big Black
Sinhalaya running as an insult to him.
The King ran away, keeping the said
words in mind.
At the time of his reorganizing a
monk named Mahatissa helped him
a lot to capture power again. Under
going so many difficulties for about
14 years he reorganized himself and
again came to power. At the time
of kings running after loosing, for
the insult done by the Nighantaya
he demolished his hermitage and
offered to the monk who helped
when he was in difficulty. Saying
that it is not suitable for a monk to
accept anything, alone, the monk
was chased out. By the Maha Vihara
Abhaya Giriya Dagaba-before restoration
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monks having antagonized a pupil of
the monk Maha Tissa, along with
some other monks leaving the Maha
viharaya crossed over to Abhayagiri
Viharaya and supported Maha
Tissa Thero. For the first time in the
History of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the
differences of opinions arose. Though
Maha Vihara residents accused
this crowd saying they have broken
disciplinery laws of the Buddhism
It was rejected by them. Within a
short period some monks came to
Sri Lanka from India made and this
as their residence. Their teachings
were completely different with that
of Maha Viharaya. as a result there
was a big competition to attract the
attention of the kings, the chiefs, and
the pious Buddhiststotheir side, More
over leaving aside the real essence
of Buddhapooja, Pansakulaya alias
at the death of a person holding the
religious activities in a grand manner,
offering 'Dana' and transferring
merits to the dead person, chanting,
medical treatments the difficulty in
reaching Nibbana and preaching in a
deformed manner, so that they could
be converted to their side. In addition
the concept of Maithree Bodhisathva
inculcating among the people and
misleading them until he attains the
Buddhahood, to give alms doing
meritorious things, and to make
his future bright, make offerings
and to attract the attention doing
different beautiful thing and became
the pioneers of carving Buddha
statues, ultimately, they could
win the kings and the inhabitant’s
attraction. Though the Abhayagiri
monks and the Mahavihara monks
preached the Buddhist doctrine,
there were differences in them. Both
parties accused each other saying.
Heathenists as a result the kings too
were in a mess, turning that side
and again other side, one in a way
impartial and some times, supporting
both sides. The resident monk of
the Maha Viharaya never followed
an attitude of taking revenge at any
time.
The king Walagamba was known
as Watta Gamini Abhaya too.
Because of that joining the part of
his name 'Abhaya and that ascetic's
name Giri that Dageba, was named
as Abhayagiri 'Giri' means a rock
according to archaeologists, the hill
which was here encroached and built
this Dageba, and hence it was known
as Abhayagiri. To the south west of
the Dageba and to the west of 'Ath
Pokuna' (Elephant Pond) the ruins
of a small stupa built enchroaching
such a rock could be seen. It is
treated as it belonged to the last part
of the Anuradhapura regime. King
Gajabahu (112-134 A.D) made this
Dageba bigger than what it was. King
Voharikatissa (214 -236 A.D) fixed
a (Chathra) an umbrella (instead of
the pinnacle seen presently) King
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TRAVELLER’S MASTER GUIDE- SRI LANKA
among the common people it is
difficult to find the facts about it.
There is a possibility of that it can
be the very same cross which was
in the Persian Nestorian Church in
Anuradhapura in 4th century A.D.
However it is difficult to predict
without an archaeological survey.
At the moment it is placed in
Anuradhapura museum.
(10) Dhakkhina Thupa.
In 137 B.C. King Saddhatissa
erected a small monument where
the King Dutugemunu was cremated
placing the ashes belong to him.
Later this monument was enlarged
and developed by King Walagamba’s
minister Uttiya.
As this was erected to the south
of Maha Vihara it was named as
Dhakkhina Thupa. But earlier it
was known by the name Tisa Maha
Chetiya. It was confirmed after
finding of an inscription belong to 2,
3 centuries (A.D.). At the same time
there were some monks belong to
a separate Buddhist Chapter by the
name “Sagalika” and they were of
different opinions opposed to the
other Buddhist Chapter but presently
none of them to be found.
(11) Isurumuni Viharaya (Meghagiri Viharaya)
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
This is found to the south of Sri
Maha Bodhiya within a distance
of 1 K.m. Though it is known as
Isurumuniya Viharaya its actual
name is Meghagiri Viharaya. The real
Isurumuniya is situated to the south,
within a distance of about 500 M.
in the place presently mention who
created the place presently known
by the name Wessagiriya nobody
can definetly mention,who created
the Meghagiri Viharaya. But the
archaeologists guess it would have
been done by the king Keerthi Sri
Meghawarna (303-331 A.D). A person
with an archaeological mind enters
this place will get upset and feel sorry
seeing the damage caused to the ruins
with an archaeological value. Out
of the Panchavasas belonged to an
ancient monastery leaving two out of
them, all the others had been broken,
and had used as raw-materials for the
recently built, buildings. Sometimes
they have been used to prepare the
steps in the stairways without any
archaeological knowledge the world
famous stone slab containing the
carvings of ' Lovers at Isurumuniya'
presently placed in the Museum , was
fixed to the wall of the shrine which
shows their ignorance.
But luckily Professor Paranavithana
seeing this had removed from
there and restored and placed in
the Museum. Had they placed the
front side of it on to the wall, even
up to now one would have seen it
and it would have been a secret to
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Meghagiri Viharaya-before reconstructions
Ranmasu Uyana
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TRAVELLER’S MASTER GUIDE- SRI LANKA
for their day necessities, or it could be
the beginning of Shepherd life. Some
of them have been drawn in many
occasions and of different topics.
At the time of bringing of Sri Lanka
in 250 -210 (B.C) the Nun Sangamittha
along with King Devanampiyatissa
had built a monastery here. Two
statues of the Buddha in reclining and
seated postures, carved out of stone,
a stupa and a natural Pond are found
in this sacred place.
Mihintale
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
Anybody can reach Mihintale,
going about 12kms from
Anuradhapura, along Horowpathana
road. When going there you must
choose either early morning or else
evening, to avoid burning from the
bright sunshine, so that your tour
wourld be a satisfied one. Due to
Rev. Thera Mahinda's arrival from
Dambadiwa with Buddhism in 250 -
210 BC.
Spending the first retreat (Wassana
Kala or Rainy Period) and selecting
to reside here for a long period.
hence it is known as Mihintale, is the
opinion of the scholars. It becomes
important so much, because of the
ruins find there with an artistic and
archaelogical importance and also
there are so many rock inscriptions as
well. To make it easy, for the tourists
while going on observing the ruins
and to see them comfortably I am
laying down the items in order.
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(1) Ancient Hospital
Based on Mihintale monastery,
which was started in 250 - 210
B.C. the monks and residents of
Mihintale sacred city, would have
felt the need of a Hospital, King
Buddhadasa, a veteran physician
had appointed a chief physician to
every group consist of 10 villages
and for their maintenance, ordered
to separate 1/20 (5%) of the paddy
harvest, according to the chronicles.
Moreover he started medical colleges
and had given them - Medical
education too (M.V-37,147-148)
According to the reports of Chinese
pilgrim Fa-Thsien, who came to Sri
Lanka in 5 A.D, there had been 2000
monks in Mihintale alone; Similarly
for the people worked and the
residents of the adjoining villages too
would have had a Hospital. Referring
into the history of this ancient
Hospital had been built by King Sena
II in 853 - 857 AD (M.V. 51,73) There
after too this Hospital had been
restored by different kings, and for its
maintenance they had donated land
grants and paddy fields according to
chronicles. This was consisted of 27
rooms for the residential patients, a
room for medicinal bathing, a room
for applying oil, a room for medicinal
boat, 3 rooms for the physicians, a
separate section for outdoor patients.
There are some more unidentified
rooms, probably they could be
stores and rooms for medicines.
There are no evidences to prove
there were surgeries implemented.
But comparing with other evidences
there could have been surgeries
too. In the excavations done by the
archaeologists they have found blue
coloured two vessels and special clay
vessel, which prove there had been
foreign affiliations.
Stairway
was exected by the king Maha
Dathika Mahanaga in 9 - 21 A.D.
(M.V. 34,78) This stairway consist
of variegated 1840 steps make the
tourist coming here to climb easily.
The stairway scattered all over the
row of mountains is a wonderful
cxeation even now.
(2) Kantaka Chetiya (Stupaya)
Built by king Devanampiyathissa
in (250 - 210 BC) M.V. 20,18) later
so many other kings too had
renovated adding vivid things.
This is one of the initial Buddhist
monuments. The circumference of
this structure is about 145 metres
and 13 metres in height though it is
damaged to a certain extent. Out of
the four vahalkadas (Frontis pieces)
elaborately sculptured with dwarfs
in different actions and animals. Two
are well preserved and for those who
do research about our history, they
are of immense importance.
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Ancient 68 Caves for meditation
These caves prepared by king
Devanampiyathissa as dwellings for
monks headed by Mahinda Thera 250
- 210 B.C (M.V 16,13). The documents
available, here too confirms the
same. The inscriptions engraved
above the drip edges of these caves
tell us that they were given to all the
monks of the four quarters including
those absent on the occasion of
offering. In every cave the builders
name and the designation is found in
the inscriptions.
(3) Sinha Pokuna (The Lion Pond)
The creator of this is not known.
Though it is a called a pond, it is more
a water fail than a pond. It is an open
air bath, which was probably used by
the monks who were living in caves.
It is called a pond because of the
water tank above the figure of the
standing Lion from whose mouth the
water comes out. This is found in a
place where there is no rain for the
whole year there would have been a
system of controlling the water. The
Naga Pokuna (cobra pond) which is
supplying the water to this probably
would have been built by king
Aggabobhi I (571-604AD) who had
done marvelous work considering his
efficiency in irrigation work is a very
simple one.
(4) Dana Salawa (Alms Hall)
Here too there is no definite
decision regarding the creator,
Though it is so considering the
architectural symptoms their opinion
is that is belongs to B.C. Periods.
That is because of the Similarity in
building of the Anuradhapura Maha
Vihara alms Hall and the Abhayagiriya
Alms Hall. Considering the courtyard
kitchen, Stores and an Alms Hall
with rice- boat, Kenda Oruwa (Gruel
boat) Conduit, and stone planks
used for keeping the bowls are of
importance. There would have been
a large number of works as there
were about 2000 monks, according to
a inscription, the Number of workers
employed in Alms Hall and the
Kitchen were 200 and had mentioned
about the chiefs also.
(5) Sannipatha Salawa (Assembly Hall)
Here too no decision heard about
the founder of this too. As this building
is also an important one, would have
been built at the initial period of this
holy monastery. This Hall, where
the monks of the monastery met
to discuss matters pertaining to the
rules of discipline and administration,
religious functions according to the
historians. The elevated stone seat
found in the middle of the hall, was
meant for the most senior monk.
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and monuments. But yet there are
number of places of importance.
Out of them, Idikatuseya, Ethvehera
Kanda, Rajagirilena Kanda (Royal Rock
cave Hill) are also important place.
Ritigala.
From Dambulla along the
Anuradhapura road about 15 km
towards east and along Trincomalee
– Polonnaruwa road from Habarana
about 12.5 km towards North West
we come across Ritigala the tallest
range of mountains (766.77 m).
Though at the beginning (in 190-
180 B.C.), King Sura Tissa built a
monastery, we have a heredity of
more than 200 years. According to
written history in 380 B.C. this was
a fortress of the natives who were
Yakkas under the leadership of Prince
Pandukabhaya.
Though there are archaeological
proofs it extends up to a Pre-Historic
era pertaining to Rama-Ravana
legend which happened about 7000
years ago.
After King Sura Tissa some more
Kings had built so many but the
biggest amount of erections had
been done by the King Sena 1 (833
– 853 A.D.) still there are so many
places with archaeological values
not restored yet and about 250 such
places can be seen. Out of them only
a few have been identified. This place
is very important as a garden and also
as a strict Natural Reserve. We can
find so many medicinal plants here
and about 179 such plants have been
identified. A person who loves the
nature and the environment this is an
ideal place for him to appreciate the
beauty of the wild beasts as well as
the variety of birds among them are
the Elephants, spotted Deers, Stags,
Leopards Red Monkeys, wild fowls,
spur fools and Grate Hornbills are
very important.
The Ancient Irrigation Civilization of Sri Lanka
As related in our chronicles, the
first reservoir had been built by the
minister Anuradha of the king of
Vijaya (486-48 B.C) yet that reservoir
had not been identified. Out of the
ancient reservoirs, as mentioned in
the chronicles, so far identified only
Abhayawewa, which is close to the
Ruwanweli seya. But, when studying
deeply, the archaelogical and other
facts, it is clear that the Irrigation
Civilization goes back, passing that
period. According to the facts found
at the excavations of Salgahauyana
in the ancient city of Anuradhapura
in 8-9 B.C, there had been canals
and sluices built of bricks and had
been used water, controlled as
they wished. Similarly, according to
the chronicles, when the Buddha
visited Sri Lanka for the third time
in 5 B.C, had visited Dheegavapi
(Reservoir ) R.L Brohier a specialist
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in Sri Lankan Irrigation civilization,
mentions that the reservoir Panda in
Panduwasnuwara in the Kurunegala
District and the Deegavapi in Ampara
Districtare the oldest reservoirs, and
the creators of them were not known.
These are fairly big irrigation
works. But no evidences can be
found about the irrigation civilization,
started in a minor scale. The majority
of oldest human settlements in Sri
Lanka were in between Mannar and
Kelaniya in the Western coast. As it
is, most of the natural lakes found
near the Vilpatthuwa, can be treated
as the model of Irrigation of our fore
fathers. Seeing the way how the
water flows from lake to lake, would
have made a model, imitating the
same and artificially and also would
have realized that the same system
could be utilized for agriculture and
other requirements as well. At the
initial time, those, irrigated systems,
would have used to store water some
months for their use. In course of time,
would have improved broadening
and extending in height, so that they
could store water for the whole year.
Thus the irrigation civilization started
in a small scale, as it developed
gradually in the 4th century and got
the state sponsorship, according to
the chronicles and inscriptions. At the
timeof 1stcentury B.C, almostinevery
inhabited village in Anuradhapura
kingdom, it was a common feature
in building a reservoir for paddy
cultivation. Out of them, majority
were owned by private proprietors,
according to inscriptions.
1, It is a difficult task to make the
readers keep informed by a small
letter like this about the ownership
and state sponsorship of Irrigation
system. For the first time in the world
history king Kutakannatissa in (41-19
B.C) building a dam across a river, and
got water through a canal for his use.
According to specialists in Irrigation,
it had been built close to Mihintale,
but not yet been identified. Scholars
say so, could be due to a mistake and
entanglement of a word at the time
of translation of the chronicles. But
when deeply studying the facts, the
dam built across the Malwathuoya
close to Anuradhapura ancient City
and the Warnaka the Mahamevu
canal are not two, but one. This canal
is known by the name "Halpanu ela".
The chronicles reveal that the king
increased the height of city wall up
to seven (7) cubits and re-enforced
security of the city. Though the moat
surrounding the city wall had been
filled with soils and sediments, even
now water flows close to the canal.
Any creation of the world, is built first
of all to the kings as well as chiefs. As
such there is no doubt, that the large
quantity of water flowed through
Malwathu oya had used for the
protection of the city. The ruins of the
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old dam built across the Malwathu
oya, can be seen even now, and the
new dam also had been built exactly
similar to the height of the old one.
Now a days this place is known as
ancieut close to "Isurupura".
2, As that canal runs through
Mahamewna park belonged to the
Maha Viharaya or Sri Maha Bodhiya
in ancient times, had named as
Warnaka, the Mahameuna canal by
the authors of chronicles. Similarly,
the canals built after words in other
places, on many occasions named as
Mahamevu canal along with another
name, which proves that again.
3, On a later occasion, along
the canal, in the site to the east of
Maha Viharaya, when building the
Jethavana Viharaya Complex, by the
king Mahasen (276-303A.D) had
made a big quarrel (Refer to the
article about the Jethavana Viharaya)
Sometimes, he would have thought
that the demarcation of the land
ending by the canal. As such he would
have started building the Jethavana
complex without consulting them.
Though that led to an internal revolt
inside the country, the king retreating
a several steps and settled the revolt
but he never gave up building the
Jethavana Vihara complex. Probably
it might have been, due to the belief
that he had, there was no ownership
of the land to the Maha Viharaya.
Because of that it is obvious that the
canal had been built at that time too.
After wards during the time of king
Vasabha (65-109 A.D) the greatest
achievement of Sri Lanka Irrigation
Technology, the "Bisokotuwa"
(Cistern Sluice) was created. By
which they could send out water
controlling, to the wanted extent,
without damaging the dam by the
large capacity of water. Certain
archaelogists think even in the 1-2
B.C, centuries there had been this
Technology in primitive stage. Along
with the invention of this technology
Sri Lankan Irrigation, engineers
started building very big reservoirs
without any fear. The pioneer initiator
of building huge reservoirs was the
king Vasabha. He had built 11 huge
reservoirs and 12 canals by building
dams across the rivers. The modern
surveying specialists to accept and
had expressed their surprise, about
the knowledge that the ancient
Irrigation Engineers had in surveying
and leveling.
Now a days that we are under
pretext that there is a developed
Technology, but there are discarded
canals for not being able to restore
them would be a good example. When
reminding about the ancient Irrigation
systems, the services rendered by the
Kings like Mahasen, (276-303 A.D.)
Dhuthusena, (459-477) Aggabodhi
I, (575-608) Aggabodhi II, (608-618)
and the king Maha Parakramabahu,
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the Sri Lankans have an enormous
honour. Specially during the period of
king Mahasen, the Irrigation system
of bringing water from Matale up to
Anuradhapura is wonderful. Even at
the time of Christ was born, because
ofthe Irrigation Civilization Sri Lankans
had become magnificient nation, in
agriculture and economically. The
paddy farmers, cultivated paddy once
a year or twice an year, and later due
to cultivating thrice an year, the excess
paddy was exported. The 1,2,3,4, 5
B.C, Centuries were outstanding in
Irrigation civilization. Without any
fear we can say that Sri Lankans
were on top in the world, with
regard to Irrigation Technology. 12th
Century was the period of highest
standard in Irrigation Technology in
Sri Lanka. Due to the development
in the Irrigation civilization, the zonal
countries invaded our country as in
competition to loot our development
economy. Due to those invasions,
our Irrigation system had to undergo
severe damages. As strategies of
war, to surround them as well as
to harm the enemies by pumping
water at them, broke huge reservoirs
by the native and foreign troops.
As a result, the ground Irrigation
civilization of thousands of years old,
was in a chaos, and as a result could
not bring up to the original position
for a period of more than 700 years.
But in the recent years most of them
had been restored again giving life to
the economic development in these
restorations, the services rendered
by the British Imperialists was
inestimable.
The beginning of the Buddha Statues in Sri Lanka, Evolution and Characteristics
At the time of Buddha's attaining
Buddahood (6 BC) there had been
about 62 religions and faiths in India,
as mentioned in Buddhist Literature.
Even at present certain devotees
follow religions like Hinduism, Jain
and Nigantha. (Naked) As a result even
at the time of Buddha's attainment,
those devotees would have had
used certain symbols, holy thing or
images or else statues, according to
their faiths. Along with the buddha's
attaining Buddhahood, most of those
devotees converted to Buddhism
in a large scale. The basic factor is
not the faith, but developing the
mind spiritually and reach Nibbana
or the eternal bliss of emancipation
(Stopping the Rebirth) Though the
people converted as Buddhists, due
to the scientific charismatic doctrine,
the people who had been following
vivid faiths, claimed something for
them to worship, at times, when
Buddha was not in his temple. Then
the chief devout follower of Buddha,
the Rev. Ananada Thero, interfering
into the matter and planting a Bo-
Tree and had made arrangements
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for them to worship, as mentioned in
Buddhist Literature. As such it is clear,
even at the time of Buddha's living
too had the habit of worshipping,
holy things symbolizing the Buddha.
Along with the stabilizing
Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 250 BC, the
converted Buddhists, to get rid of
their former false beliefs and faiths,
Rev. Arahat Mahinda would have felt
the necessity of a holy thing for them
to worship. As a result, getting down
the right collar bone and enshrining it
had built the Thuparamaya.
Afterwards a right-side branch
of the Bo-tree which gave shelter
to the Buddha at the time of his
enlightenment, was planted here.
Even at present, it is existing in the
Maha Megha Garden respected by
everybody, and it is more than 2250
years old now.
According to the chronicles of
Sri Lanka the foremost Buddha
Statue had been erected by the
King Devanampiyatissa (25-210
BC). Afterwards at the time of
building the Ruwanweliseya, the
King Dutugemunu (161-137 BC) too
had placed some Buddha statues as
mentioned in the chronicles. But some
of the archaeologists are reluctant to
accept that prediction at once. The
opinion of the archaeologists is that
the Buddhists of the initial stage
would have had a fear in erecting
Buddha Statues. That was due to the
enormous honour they had towards
the Buddha. Hence there are many
facts to prove that the devotees, at
the begining had been worshipping
symbols like Bodhiya, "Stupaya",
vajrasanaya (Buddha's Seat), The foot
prints, Dhammachakka (the wheel of
the Doctrine.)
According to the archaeological
proofs the opinion of the scholars
is that the oldest stone artefacts
are seen in the frontispieces in
Kantakachetiya in Mihintale. Through
those frontispieces had been built
by the king Devanampiyathissa
during the time of king Lanjatissa,
they had undergone restorations
(119-109BC) Considering the
architectural features, the opinion
of the arehaelogists is that they
belong to that period as we find
the carved figures of Lions, Bulls,
Elephants, Horses, Peacoks, Cobras
and Gods. Can be considered as that
they were inter-connected with their
Social beliefs and faiths. According to
the inscriptional proofs, the oldest
proofs are also found in Mihintale.
That is from the rock inscription of
the king Maha Dathika Maha Naga
(09-21AD) found just below the
Cela Chetiya. But here nothing have
been mentioned about the Buddha
Statues. Instead have mentioned
about the creating of the statues
of Rev. Arahat Mahinda, and the
Bhikkhus like Ittiya, Uttiya, Samabala
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and Baddasala. From this statement
we can come to a decision that during
this period the Art of creating statues
had been established in Sri Lanka. But
the opinion of the scholars is that a
great development in sculpture work
established at the time of the king
Vasabha's long term of tenure. (65-
109 AD) Similarly in chronicles have
mentioned that the king had built
four (4) image houses along with four
(4) Buddha Statues. At the same time
at the archaeological excavations.
Done at the Abhayagiriya near the
(House of Bo-Tree) Bodhigaraya,
Substatial evidences have been there
even that time. Because of these
reasons, the scholars consider that
the king Vasabha as tha pioneer of
Sculputuring Buddha Statues. When
observing the ancient Buddha Statues
placed in the Abhayagiri Museum,
at the initial stage there had been
certain short comings in them. But
the attempt of the sculptors from
the inception was, to create statues,
showing qualitative spiritual and
virtuous look. At the same time
according to the buddhist Literature
there are (32) thirty two supernormal
Signs and such kind of people are
lacking. when examining carefully
about the features of the Buddha
sculptures we can come to a decision
that the art of certain statues had
been developed very rapidly.
Sri Lankan Buddha Statues are
mainly in 3 poses, namely, standing,
seated and recumbent. Those
sculptures too have been enhanced
the qualitative value by the sculptors
by adding sub more poses. In the
standing statues seen in abundance
are shown in very calm pose, giving
weight to the feet and right hand
in Abhaya Mudra and the lefthand
mostly shown raising upwards,
bearing the robe. In the statues seen
very rearly with 3 bends (Tribanga)
the weight of the body given on to the
right leg and the body shown as bent
in 3 places. Both hands placed across
the breast and showing the left hand
covered by the right one. In the seated
statue, legs are shown in Veerasana
and Padmasana gestures. There are
so many gestures such as (Dhyana)
meditation (Abhaya) fearlessness,
(Vitaraka) gesture of argumentation,
(Dhammachakka) wheel of Doctrine,
(Kataka) Ring hand gesture, (Varada)
gesture of charity of bestowing a
born, and the (Bhoomi Sparsha
Mudra) touching the ground. The
statues are categorized as recumbent,
sleeping and parinibbana (Death) but
at a glance can be identified at once
from the sculptural features (Refer
to Polonnaruwa Galvihara Statues)
in creating all these sculptures from
ancient times, the sculptors there had
used a proportional theory. In ancient
times certain important theories had
been kept as secrets of the school
concerned (Guru Musthi) (Teacher's
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fist) Those mathematical theories too
differ from school to school. Scholars
have identified those fixed systems
of proportions as (Dasa Thala) ten
canons and Nawathala (Nine Canons).
To educate the readers about these
ten canons had produced as a table
and at the same time these are
methods of making them curious.
According to that table relevant
feature is kept in the exact position.
When creating a stone statue, first of
all the plummets are hung and after
making the necessary points and
unwanted parts are removed. Until
everything is completed plummets
are being hung and stabilize the
correctness. The opinion of the
scholars is that this method had
been used from the very initial stage
considering the forcal point marked
in between the legs of the Aukana
Buddha Statue. Similarly the scholars
have devided the statue in to three
decades considering the sculptural
features, such as Anuradhapura,
Polonnaruwa and Kandy periods.
Anuradhapura Reigning Period - Aukana Buddha
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This is found in the village of
Aukana, in the city named Kekirawa
in Anuradhapura District. This statue
considered to be built by the efficient
King Dhathusena (455-473 AD) As this
statue is sculptured from the living
rock it had been very safe for a very
long period. This statue of 12 metres
in height, has been created with a
majestic and attractive look. The chief
features belong to the Anuradhapura
reigning period, are the monotonous
pleats of the robe Reduction of the
roundness of the face broad neck,
exceeding the adolescence, the
reduction of the shape of the body
broad legs and hands. According to
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12th c. and most of the antiques
placed here belonged to that period.
After touring in Anuradhapura, if you
visit here having this guide book in
hand, you are keen enough to identify
them belonged to 9, 10, 11 centuries.
Sometimes the periods to which
they belong would have named,
considering polonnaruwa alone,
ignoring chronological survey.
2, Dvipa Udyana, The Island Garden
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Found to the North of the Museum
adjoining thevehicle park. The original
person, who prepared this as a Royal
garden was king Parakramabahu 1153
- 1186 AD. This was named as Deepa
uyana in the past, because it was
projecting out as an island attached
to the reservoir. As mentioned in the
chronicles, out of the works he had
done only the bathing house can be
seen now. Most of the erections seen
now are done by the king Nissanka
malla 1187 - 1196 AD. As the king
Nissanka malla was fond of this
garden, chose as his residence. There
would have been beautiful planted
flower trees, different trees belonged
to vivid categories and also medicinal
plants as well.
1. The Bathing House or the Bath.
Originally this was built by the king
Parakramabahu. This is very well
decorated with stone carvings and
as the water flows through a conduit,
anybody could managed to bathe
from head to the whole body after
bathing, the polluted water flows
and collected in a defensive moat
cut around the inner city. To get the
needed extra water for the moat was
taken from the adjoining sluice. The
tank alone was used to store the extra
water.
2. The Tomb
This building found close to the
king Nissankamalla's palace, had
not yet been identified as to what
purpose, it had been used. Though
the archaeologists had expressed
contradictory different opinions, they
are not so important. As there are
no doors and windows, many people
regard it as a place used for burying
the dead. (A grave) This is built
with bricks and plaster with a good
finishing and shine. In addition to that
it had been painted in Red and white.
3. Nissankamalla's Palace
At the time of Nissankamalla
became the king, there was a fully
equipped palace complex already
built by Maha Parakramabahu. When
compared with that palace complex
Nissankamalla. Nissankamalla's
palace is a small one and with less
facilities' As such we must try to find
out the reason. Why he built a new
palace, neglecting that complex. From
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the beginning of the kingdoms, the
kings emphasized the importance of
defence. Even the king Pandukabhaya
380 - 318 B.C built a city wall and
stabilized his protection. Along with
the death of Maha Parakramabahu in
1186, Nissankamalla too had a good
understanding about the conspiracies
and revolts occurred for the kingship.
He too captured power as a result of
such a conspiracy. Because of that
he would have felt the necessity for
a place with more safety. According
to the inscription of the Heta Dage,
to build this palace had spent a short
period of only 45 days, which is an
evidence to show the emergency that
he had to come to this place.
When we look at the surrounding
environment, it is obvious, that he
could escape across the adjoining
tank (resevoir) to a safer place,
(Google map)
When examining carefully about
the foundation it is clear, using big
wooden pillars he had built the palace,
with a number of storeys. according
to the inscription of the Heta Dage,
it was consisted of seven storeys,
but the archaeologists express their
doubt s about it. It is true that the
inscription of Nissankamalla is full of
exaggerations. But as the inscription
is found within a walking distance,
there would have been seven storey
s and the top most one being a small
one. The top most storeys would
have been separated as the bed room
of the king and the queens and the
Royal family, as well as to look around
the environment for pleasure. The
back side of the ground floor consists
of remnants of two rooms and ruins
of remnants of a stairway. The back
side of the ground floor consists of
remnants of two rooms and ruins of a
stairway. The hall in front would have
been used to discuss with visitors and
the regional rulers and for treating
them. According to an inscription
his triumphs in war, privileges given
to the people, singing and dancing
performances of the royal artistes,
and now he entertained the sports
activities are written in them.
According to the archaeologists,
there are certain remnants belonged
to several periods, we can imagine
that the king would have added
certain parts and used as his palace.
4. Cold Palace
This is found inside the reservoir to
the west of the king Nissankamalla's
audience Hall, within a distance of
about 10 metres. We can imagine this
would have been done by the king
Nissankamalla. Presently it is decayed
and covered with wild plants. It is
dangerous as there can be serpents in
the palace premises and at the nearby
elephant fence. When examining the
foundation on a quadrangular stage,
saving two rooms, all the others
are connected to each other, which
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According to the chronicles, this
palace consisted of 1000 rooms and
seven storeys. However, there is no
problem about the seven storeys,
but a suspicion arises about the 1000
rooms. But many archaelogists accept
that. Even now remnants of three
storeys can be seen of this ruined
palace. The height of the central part
of the building seen now is 95 metres.
The thickness of a wall in the palace
is about 1.60metres. In building the
upstairs, the wooden pillars and
rafters used, still the holes can be
seen in those walls. The lime plaster
and colour patches and fragments
of murals on walls also can be seen
of this palace and in small rooms as
well. The front portion of the ground
floor of the palace would have been
used for discussions and the visitors
and the envoys and treating them
and also to enjoy the singing, dancing
performances of dancing women.
The small rooms consist of thick walls
was the state treasury. There is no
doubt that they had been filled with
local and foreign, gold, silver, gems,
pearls and money.
That is because of the fact that the
king Maha Parakrama bahu's period
was the climax of our economy.
Behind the palace, to the left side of
the treasury, there is the stairway to
the upper storeys. The upper storey
would have been used as the king's
sleeping room, written work, reading
books, planning the development
projects in the country and for resting
as well as to exert his mind for the
welfare of the country. This palace
complex was fully equipped for a
luxurious life and to show the Royal
pride of the king’s. From the far
ancient times up to now, there had
been conspiracies in almost all the
countries, in the king’s palace or the
chief ruler’s house, and so it would
have been here as well, The king
Vijayabahu II and the king Mahinda
III who came to power, after Maha
Parakramabahu, would have been
killed here. The two buildings behind
the palace, named Bisomaligawa by
the archaelogists. The accompanying
1000 buildings would have been used
by the women in the harem, chief
officers of the state, the security
officers and soldiers and other
employees in the palace and also as
kitchens. In 1215A.D.Polonnaruwa
was invaded by Kalinga Maga, a South
Indian invader and looted the whole
wealth. In addition, those invaders
set fire to the palace complex
and harmed severely, and certain
remnants could be seen even today.
5, Maha Parakrama bahu's Royal Council Hall (Raja vesya – bhujanga Mandapaya)
A pavilion like building about
75 meters a head of the palace is
the Royal Palace of the king Maha
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Parakramabahu, where the noble
decisions were taken in his kingdom.
This building consists of very valuable
architectural features, is the most
attractive erection in this site. Being
a very valuable erection had decayed
along with the span of time. Under the
supervision of Archaeologists A.M.
Hocart and Prof. S. Paranavithana,
it was restored again. According to
a report of Prof. S.Paranavithana, as
there was an inscription on a stone
slab on the top of the stairway named
"Raja Vesya Bhujanga Mandapaya"
and hence it was identified easily.
But today that inscription is not to be
seen. The meaning of it is the ruling
place, as well as the palace where the
decisions were taken, about the trade
after discussions. This building is
built in a methodical way, with a high
base in three tiers. The lowest tier
ornamented with friezes of elephants
carved in different postures. The
second tier is decorated with Lion
figure being the state symbol and the
third tier with figures of "Vamana"
(dwarfs) At the foot of the entrance
of the stairway and the centre is
decorated with two moonstones.
The moonstones were used only
in the Buddhist holy places in the
past, but during the Polonnaruwa
period, it was used in king's palaces
as well. The chief entrance to the
palace is decorated with two stylised
lion figures made of stone. The
stone pillars supporting the roof are
elaborated with beautiful carvings,
even the wooden beams and rafters
too would have been nicely decorated.
The throne and the seats of the king's
councillors, would have been made
of wood, as such, no remnants to
be seen. The decisions taken by the
king Maha Parakramabahu and the
councillors, who were in the council
were so important, the country was
shined in economic development.
That development contributed a lot
in nation's economical, agricultural
and tourism even now. As such even
today Sri Lankan's are indebted to the
King Maha Parakramabahu and his
councillors.
6, Royal Bath – Kumara Pokuna (Pond)
We come across an entrance
at the citadel wall behind the Royal
Council Hall. The flight of steps leads
down to the Royal bath known as
''Kumara Pokuna". This was identified
as the "Sila Pokuna" built by the King
Maha Parakramabahu.This was the
Pool where he king Maha Parakrama
bahu bathed. His two chief Queens
named Rupawathi and Leelawathi
too would have used this. This site
where the pond is found was known
as "Nandana Uyana" That time. In an
ancient Royal Park, the most essential
feature was bathing pool. That time,
there were beautiful flowers and
trees had been planted. While all
the Royal buildings were situated
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seen only a few. There can be seen
the remnants of the stairway to the
upper floor. The upper floor would
have been made of wood and the
roof covered with tiles. Upper floor
had been used as Relic House and
the lower floor as the Image House.
However, whether it is 60 hours or
not when carefully examining this,
around here it is obvious that it was
done in a hurry. Hence there is an
inadequacy in the artistic value.
1. Galpotha (Stone Book)
To the eastern side of Hetadage
it is situated. A creation of king
Nissankamalla. This stone slab 8.20
metres in length and 1.40 metres in
breadth and around this, decorated
with beautiful swan figures and at
the two ends there are figures of
elephants and gods. This consist
of 72 raws and there are about
2300 letters and composed in three
sections. As mentioned in the
inscription, this colossal slab of stone
had been brought from Mihinthale
of Anuradhapura District. It is a thing
that, special attention should be
made for bringing such a huge slab,
from such a long long distance.
Similar stones with natural features
pertaining to this type of stones, can
be found in Polonnaruwa as well as
in Anuradhapura and Mihinthale.
Similarly, king Nissankamalla
would not have thought that in
future anybody would examine the
inscription by spending a big amount
of money and labour, similarly, at
the time of his enthronement due
to the prevailed perplexity in Royal
Council, the king ship was a post
dedicated to death. When examining
the facts found in the inscription, it
is clear that it had been done, for his
safety as well as in his post. Hence it
had been brought from such a long
distance, to show his political power
and strength to his political enemies
and to weaken their mentality. It is
a difficult task not only during that
time, even now it is so. As it is there is
no doubt it is a miracle.
As usual he has entered exagerated
facts about him and his Kalinga Clan.
At the same time there are many
unbelievable facts. Moreover he
has included certain works done by
the king Maha Parakramabahu, as his
works, to gain the credit for him,
some of his inclusions in brief as
follows.
The permanent heridity for the
king ship in Sri Lanka belongs only
to his Kalinga Clan. To prove that
he pointed out, many actions taken
for the welfare of the people, and
for the development of Buddhism.
In addition, he points out, not only
the Kalinga kings, but also Kalinga
princesses too have rendered
services, and had won the hearts of
the people. As it is, it is a necessity
having people of Kalinga clan for the
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At the time of passing away of the
Buddha, Rev. Ananda Thero was
shown in lamenting position at the
foot of the Buddha. When observing
carefully of the statues and the nearby
and the dying Buddha statue, we can
see, there had been two separate
Image Houses. Because of these
reasons definetely it represents the
Buddha. In recent time the scholars
have shown about another feature
delineated by the statue. That is,
before passing away, that the Buddha
had moved to the ecstacy of great
compassion and looking forward to
rescue the suffering people.
During Buddha Statue
There are different arguments
about the dying Buddha statue 14
metres in length at the southern end.
In the Culavamsa it is mentioned as
a sleeping Buddha statue. As it is,
most of the scholars are reluctant to
challenge this idea. At the same time
most of the scholars too had express
it as a sleeping or recumbent
Buddha. Similarly this argument, if
it represents a dying Buddha would
have included withered trees and
Rev. Ananda Thero also. It is doubtful,
whether the Rev. Dhammakitthi
Thero, considered to be the author
of the Culavamsa, who had reported
about this statue paid this attention
to the sculptural features of this
statue. Similarly, there is not enough
space to sculpture the withered trees
as well as the figure of Rev. Ananda
Thero, here. There are seven
features from which can identify the
differences separately, between a
Thiwanka Pilimage (Jethavanaramaya–Image House) before econstructions
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sleeping Buddha Statue and a dying
Buddha Statue. At the time of death,
due to the reactions taking place
inside the body the sculptor would
not create the feet in equal position
.As such the left foot of the Buddha
has shown as resting on the right and
is slightly drawn back. After the death
as the balance of the body vanishes,
the sculptors had sculptured in a very
skilful manner. As a result the seven(7)
symptoms of the dead Buddha's head
shown as drooping down, pillow
had been pressed inside, the left
ear fallen lifelessly, left hand being
lifelessly bent towards the body, the
chest lowered and the closed eyes
can be indentified easily. Hence it is
clear that this statue resembles the
Parinibbana or the Death.
20, Thiwanka Pilimage (Jethavanaramaya – Image House)
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Coming to the main road
from the Demala Maha seya and
proceeding towards North, meet the
Thiwanka Pilimage. The king Maha
Parakramabahu, giving prominence
to the Tiwanka pilimage in the
Jethavanarama site had built number
of buildings exceeding 520 according
to the chronicles. But at present can
see only the Tiwanka Pilimage and
the decayed round building find
to the right side of it and the two
ponds, which led to the amazement
of the archaelogists were reluctant
to accept it as the Jethavanaramaya.
As such, they searched for the
Jethavanaramaya site in other
places. Professor Paranavithana
had pointed out, that it was clearly
stated in the Culavamsa that the
Thivanka pilimage is situated in the
site of Jethavanaramaya and as it is
definetely this was same site. But yet
had not come to a definite decision as
to what had happened to the number
of buildings. But hypothetically can
guess that at the invasion of Kalinga
Magha (1215 – 1236 A.D) and at the
time of his reigning, that they had
been smashed or else this area, had
been rapidly inhabited that they had
taken as building Materials. As the
Buddha statue in the Image House
is bent in three places, (Thribanga-
Thivanka) the name Tiwanka Statue
would have come to use. When
observing carefully, the symptoms
that it had been painted earlier can
be seen. Considering that it is bent
in three places (thribanga) we can
imagine hypothetically that it would
have been in the same “Mudra” as in
the standing Buddha in Galviharaya.
Earlier this building would have been
in the shape of a Gedige. The plan
of this is very much similar to the
Thuparamaya find in the Tooth Relic
Terrace. As it is can see that, when
building this, had taken
Thuparamaya as the model. At the
same time adding new features had
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replaced.
Dimbulagala
We can reach Dimbulagala if we go
along the Polonnaruwa – Batticaloa
Road, and passing Manampitiya, turn
to right and go little further, about a
distance of 16 Km.
In 543 B.C. the Aryans invaded Sri
Lanka under the leadership of Vijaya
and captured the natives, the Yakkas,
and they started to reside here. Later
the Prince Pandukabhaya in 453 B.C
used this place as an army training
camp. Presently the descendants of
Yakka tribe, the Veddas are living in
this area.
We can’t exactly say who
developed this as a monastery. But
there are evidences that even at the
time of King Walagambahu, there
was a monastery in (87 – 76 B.C). It
is well known that the period, said to
be was full of very learned scholars.
At the time of codification of
“Thripitakaya” at Aluviharaya
Temple in Matale, at the time of king
Walagambahu, was led by a priest
lived here. Thripitakaya means the
books containing the essence of
Buddhism.
Since then so many Buddhist Books
were written by the priests lived here.
Different kings as well as Queens and
the Chiefs who lived during that
period had patronized this sacred
place. In the caves find here are
scribbled pictures belonged to Pre-
Historic period as well as some good
paintings, which could be identified
done at a later period. Some of them
are pertaining to Buddhism and they
were spoiled by a Hindu Hermit by
applying cow-dung. There are two
Stupas here and the one on top of
the rock can be seen from a distance.
Most of the tourists do not visit here
due to lack of knowledge about the
places. Probably it may due to the
distance from place to place.
Kandy 1, Temple of the Tooth Relic - Kandy
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Though the Temple of the Tooth,
existing in Palace complex, was
erected by king Wimala Dharma
Suriya in 1592-1604 A.D, later it was
improved by doing different changes
by the various kings, time to time.
The temple seen at present was built,
during the time of King Keerthi Sri
Rajasingha in 1747-1781 A.D. Later,
underwent vivid renovations to suit
the original shape. It resembles a
lively Art Gallery, built by skilled
architects and Artists, and when you
look from the entrance you’ll be
charmed.
The offerings, rites and rituals
pertaining to this Holy place and the
musical sounds are also hereditary.
In the morning and midday, the
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Temple of the Tooth Relic Kandy, before reconstructions
offerings are done to the Buddha
still being carried along following
the ancient rites. The first portion of
the meals prepared to the king
being offered to the Tooth Relic was
the tradition. Following the same
old rite, they prepare curries from 32
kinds of vegetables for offerings
even now. The chief custodian of the
sacred Tooth is known as Diyawadana
Nilame. Each year the custody of
having services (Thewawa) is done
by Malwatta and Asgiriya temples in
rotation. The museum found here is
an interesting one that everybody
should see.
The History of the Tooth Relic.
The history of the Tooth Relic goes
as far back as, to the year 544 B.C. in
which Buddha passed away. Many
chronicles bring vivid in formations
about the Tooth Relic, but the “Datha
Wansaya”, Sinhala Publication,
considered as the ancient one
published in 303-331 A.D., during the
time of King Keerthi Sri Megha Warna.
The Tooth Relic was brought to Sri
Lanka during his rule. The history of
Tooth Relic in brief mentioned as
thus.
When the Buddha passed away,
immediately after the cremation, the
high priests, the kings of different
countries and people gathered there
and obtained relics for worship. The
tooth of the upper jaw of the left side
was taken to Kalingu rata. (Present
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there were tunnels made, to escape
secretly at harmful incidents.
Esala Perahera (Esala Procession) Kandy.
Every year in June, giving
prominence to traditional customs,
Esala Perahera (Procession) is
performed in Kandy in a grand
manner.
The history of this goes back to the
date, when the sacred Tooth Relic of
Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka in
303- 331 A.D. Then King of Sri Lanka
was Keerthi Sri Megha Warna. Every
year this King organized a beautiful
Procession as a mark of respect to
the sacred Tooth Relic and ordered to
continue the tradition. This has been
proved, by the reports of Chinese
traveller priest Fa-Tsien, who came to
Sri Lanka in 411 A.D. and lived about
two years at Abhayagiri Viharaya. In
his reports he has mentioned every
year there had been an excellent
procession, as a mark of respect for
the sacred Tooth Relic.
The credit goes to the King
Keerthi Sri Rajasingha (1747- 1780
A.D.) for organizing a such an
excellent procession joining the
four processions starting from four
Devalas Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama
and Pattini. Excluding at crucial
times this grand Festival had been
functioning.
The responsibility of organizing the
Procession is vested in the hands of
the Diyawadana Nilame (Officer of
the King’s bathing). On the advice of
the state astrologer a date is fixed and
prepare the needful at an auspicious
time, the chiefs of four Devalayas are
informed. Thereafter the chiefs
occupying the service villages (Ninda
Gam) had given by the King, who is in
charge to performing ancient duties
Pertaining to the Temple and 4
Devalas. There are specific terms to
denote customs and the utensils
required e. g. A piece of white cloth
is named as “Piruwata” i.e. to protect
the prestige of them.
This festival begins after a small
function, which is named as “Kap
Situweema” (The planting of Kapa)
at the four Devalas. i.e. a vow to
ensure the effort’s progress. Of this
function the leadership is dedicated
to Vishnu Devalaya. The tradition is
a cut branch from a Jack fruit tree
(waraka) belongs to Vishnu Devalaya,
of Aluthnuwara is nicely cleaned
first. Then divide it into 4 parts and
wrapped white clothes and taken into
4 Devalayas.
They are placed them in small
room in each Devalaya. The next day
a “The Kapa” is taken round the four
Devalas in 4 processions, separately
and according to auspicious time
plant them facing one direction.
Subsequently after decorating the
“Kapa” and the surrounding with
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coconut fruits and coconut flowers is
the tradition prevailing from ancient
times. There is a series of customs to
undergo. The intention of planting
the “Kapa” is to make the procession
successful. After planting the “Kapa”
the processions continuously done,
confined to 4 Devalas concerned.
On the 6th day “The Kumbal
Perahera” starts at an auspicious
time and come to the temple of the
Tooth, keeping the procession
belongs to the Temple in front, the
others follow them and travel along
the pre-selected streets for five days
continuously.
With the participation of decorated
Elephants, Drummers, Dancers,
Office bearers of the temples, duty
bound officers the four Devalas hold
the procession in a grand manner.
Implementing of most of the main
duties and the traditional duties
are entrusted to “Natha Devalaya”.
“Randoli Perahara” starting from the
11th day symbolizes Queen’s
participation. But nowadays four
empty palanquins are been taken in
it.
The “Randoli Perahera” after
touring for five days on the last day
organizes a big procession which is
named as “Randoli Maha Perahara”.
This excellent procession has won
fame nationally and internationally
as the biggest religious and cultural
pageant of Sri Lanka. In this
procession, there is an order of the
traditional items performed, at the
same time there are modern items
also added, without damaging the
ancient system. Starting with the
whip bearers go in front whipping
creating a big noise, and next the
fireball demonstrators, then followed
by the Buddhist flags and the flags
belong to the Kandyan administrative
areas, and then the flags of the kings,
District flags made of brass. Next
the “Peramune Rala” riding on an
elephant, carrying an ola-leaf book
indicating the king’s order and behind
him the soldiers carrying weapons
showing the strength of the king’s
army.
Then follow the musical band,
which are doing the “Thewawa”
(a ritual) and dancers as a mark
of respect to the Tooth relic. Now
the “Gajanayake Nilame” who is in-
charge of the elephants goes in
front. Very often he rides on an
elephant with one tusk and there are
different opinions about the same.
About 25 dancing troupes consisting
of traditional and modern items
variegate the procession, and they
are assisted by the musical groups.
Then comes the traditional Kandyan
dancers (Wes Netum). These
traditional Kandyan dancing troupe is
selected after a series of training, and
making them to perform the items in
the presence of their chiefs. The
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The Strategy for Safety of the last kingdom in Sri Lanka
The first king to organize
a strategic arrangements for safety
of the upcountry was king
Wimaladarmasuriya I, his father was
assassinated due to the struggle
to seize the ruling power, by king
Seethawaka Rajasingha. Konappu
Bandara fled away to Portuguese
for safety and after baptizing in
Austria, by the name Don John, he
was brought up by the Portuguese.
Using this opportunity he was given
military training by them, so that they
could use him against the Sri Lankan
rulers, whenever they wanted. He
too developed as an expert in war
affairs, such as organizing of forces,
implementation and taking decisions
at the proper time. Being tired of the
often attacks from the war expert
king Seethawaka Rajasingha, to divert
his attention to another side took the
prince Don Philip. Then heir to the
throne with him invaded upcountry
kingdom and crowned him. To take
revenge from Seethawaka Rajasingha,
for killing his father, though he did a
decisive role at the way they realized
that he was also aiming at the throne
along with the new Kings sudden
death. This death occurred due to
mixing poison to king's meals. Along
with this incident, the struggle arose
between the Portuguese and the
Prince Don John come to an end after
chasing out the Portuguese from the
up country and Don John becoming
the King in the up country by name
Wimaladharma Suriya in 1591 A.D.
This is could be considered as a
very important juncture. In 1592 king
Seethawaka Rajasingha, warned his
new enemyking Wimaladharmasuriya
to surrender or else to face death like
his father. Seethawaka Rajasingha
who hailed him as an expert warrior
from the young age and his power at
war shattered hearing this message
of killing his father, informing him
to be ready to pay the penalty for
same, undermining the death,
advance to the war front with a
hastily prepared gang of soldiers.
Wimaladharmasuriya being a brave
person and capable of maintaining
the forces strategically and using the
advantage of the site situation for his
sake within a time of half an hour
defeated Seethawaka Rajasingha.
Having a sorrowful and bitter loss
king Seethawaka Rajasingha, while
retreating he got injured by piercing
the leg due to a chip of bamboo tree,
and the conspirators around him,
mixing cow dung to the medicines he
died of tetanus.
Wimaladharmasuriya being a
good organizer of forces, good in
managing, capable of make use of
the prevailing climate and also clever
in antagonizing and making them to
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suspect each other, and at the same
time giving them different aims,
who had similar targets, and faced
the attack by adding more strategies
to the power of swords. By their own
expenses and as a result of his clever
planning, rose to the throne,
disgracing their fame, by instigating
rebellions. The Portuguese being
antagonized, in 1594 AD, under the
leadership of Pedro Lofes De Soosa,
along with foreign soldiers, and
burrowed soldiers from Jaffna and
a battalion belong to a local prince
named Yamasingha Bandara, invaded
up country. The entire battalion
consisted of more than 50,000
soldiers. Being unable, to face the
powerful battalion field away with
his small force. Some were kept like
ordinary residents in and out the
city. Having captured upcountry
the Portuguese, getting down
Kusumasana Devi alias Dona Kathirina
being the real heir to the throne,
after arranging a grand function
and crowned her. In the meantime
Wimaladharamasuriya, ogainzing a
conspiracy very secretly, so that the
Portuguese could not imagine even
and, taking the advantage, inculcated
an opinion in Yamasingha Bandara
to come to the throne, if not, to be
the husband of the queen. If he
could not succeed this attempt, came
to an agreement to drive out the
Portuguese from Sri Lanka totally,
and let a copy go to the hands of
Portuguese. In the meantime started
spreading rumours, that the new
Queen was getting ready to marry a
Portuguese army officer, and if so, it
was unable to escape from becoming
a Portuguese colony, and they would
have to suffer forever. At the same
time started setting fire, here and
there in the city, spreaded fear all
over. At last Yamasingha Bandara
was killed by Portuguese and his
army of 15,000 soldiers, joined the
Wimaladharmasuriya.
With patience and - care, being
a man who could reap the harvest
- surrounded the Portuguese to
Gannoruwa and started attacking
them. Chasing behind the retreating
Portuguese and attacking them within
a range of some kilometres, at Lewella
massacred the entire battalion and
captured Dona Kathirina unhurt
with a crowd less than 100 persons.
Though certain dreadful happenings
would not have done by a Great king,
but it could be the result of the way
how the Portuguese behaved earlier.
At last as Wimaladharmasuriya
I had no hereditary right to the
throne, obtained that by marrying
Dona Kathirina, and at the wedding
function, the presents he received
cost 968754 (pagodi) according to the
reports. Prior to that the Portuguese
published an a ward of 10,000
(Pagodi) would be presented for a
person who would bring the head
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of Don Juan. Had the Portuguese
known the value, they could have
made use of it and they could
have escaped from the dangerous
disasters. There after the Portuguese
determined to teach a good lesson
to king Wimaladharmasoriya
because of the grave loss they had to
undergo, and to take revenge. They
were impatiently waiting for nearly 5
years seeking an opportunity to
attack and capture power in
upcountry, erected fortresses, at the
chief security points, and started
invading in 1603 AD, under a good
climatic condition. Don Jeronimo De
Asavedo, very efficient Army officer
led the forces. He was under the
impression, capturing Balana Pass
could be considered as if the whole
up country would be in their hands,
and so captured. As he knew about
the Wimaladharmasuriya's tactics
he was trying to find out why he did
not retort. Immediate response was
excluding gun power discarding all
the other equipments and ordered
to retreat. Later he realized there
were shortcomings in his planning,
as a result, he got caught to an
unexpected trap, amids rigorous
attacks, saving a limited number of
soldier's lives retreated immediately.
Whatever the outcome, Asavedo had
fought very bravely.
King Wimaladharmasuriya being
and intelligent person this time too,
a section of the local forces took to
his side, and arranged some fatal
traps in advance. Out of them some
were stone traps and the others
were tree traps.Being a very clever
officer of the forces had Asavedo
advanced forward having victorious
mentality, the position would have
changed. Wimaladharmasuriya being
so shrewd, who could trap them by
surrounding the enemies, was a good
exemplary character for those who
observe military training.
The Tree Trap - To avert the
advancing forward through accessible
routes to invade the country by the
enemy forces, they cut the roots
of the huge trees - closer to each
other and cover the pits with soil,
so that the enemies could not see.
Sometimes such camouflage pits
were there for years in the same
position for number of years. By
cutting the remaining roots of those
trees they fell the trees, killing the
forces around. By doing so, many
were put to death, and the remaining
soldiers were not allowed to gather
and break their communication as
well, and attack them.
Writing the historical incidents in
brief will tend to mislead the readers,
and the people would get bad
impressions about the king that he
was cunning and very selfish and that
he was using his power unreasonably.
As such the opinion of the historians
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mentioned herewith. For local and
foreign visitors and for the benefit of
the populace he spent freely, without
being a miser. He exerted himself,
worked very thoughtfully, without
being partial did the justice. During
his reigning time there were less
crimes. He was a generous and was a
good friend for the good, an enemy
for the bad. At the time of invasion
of the upcountry by Pedro Lofes De
Sooza in 1594 exerted himself and
worked strategically after gaining the
victory, the son of Pedro Sooza who
was among the captured lot, was
released without any condition sent
to Colombo safely. It might look like a
political trick, but it we go deep in to
the matter, that shows his humanity.
He was a complete leader.
The Cruel tragedy of the Sri Lankan Political History – The assination of Ehelepola Family.
This is the most cruel tragedy
ever happened in Sri Lankan political
history. Sri Wickrama Raja Singha, the
last king of Sri Lanka – 1814 A.D. was
the direct accused of this incident.
If we look into this happening
impartially, though the offence falls
on him, there were some powerful
officers of the king’s council and
British Imperialists become second
and third suspects. In this regard
there are enough reasons to write
a book even. On the 26th July 1898
the King Rajadhi Raja Singhe died of
a sudden accident. Due to the direct
interference of Pilimatalawa an 18
year old prince was crowned as the
king by the name Sri Wickrama Raja
Singhe immediately after the death of
the king. The opinion of the Historians
is that these two Pilimatalawa and
the Prince were behind his death.
While having a suitable person to the
throne, his idea behind was to be the
king somehow or other or else just to
keep him as the nominal king and to
reign the country.
On the 5th January 1800,
Pilimatalawwa and the British
Governor Fredrik North had met each
other. He had asked for his support
to become the king. By the time the
king was gradually becoming well
matured and independent. But both
of them were afraid of each other
until 1810. Though Pilimatalawwa
was politically a shrewd fellow lost
his post following a trap laid by him.
Then the king appointed, Ehelepola a
reputed nephew of Pilimatalawwa for
the post.
But Pilimatalawwa was not a man
who retreats easily. He conspired to
kill Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, failing
that attempt; he was executed along
with seven others. About 60 Malay
guards of the king bolted away to
Colombo. Due to these reasons, the
king was in suspicion at the time. He
trusted only Molligoda Adikaram,
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to a certain extent, who was made
powerful by the king. He too was
carrying tales, seeking power. In
the meantime, British Governor
who was ruling the low country and
one of his chief officers John Doily,
were disrupting the upcountry rule.
Jon Doily being a shrewd fellow
was capable of spying. Associating
Buddhist priests closely, studied
Sinhala Literature Buddhist Doctrine,
and the thoughts of Sri Lankans. In
addition by presenting vivid things,
became friendly with all the king’s
councilors. It is a well known fact,
even the king’s dhoby was known by
him. By the time king too was taking
several actions to strengthen his
position. He was taking all the possible
steps to win the people, and to reduce
the powers of aristocrats. Though the
king was well matured politically, by
associating a cunning person like
Pilimatalawwa was trapped gradually
unknowingly. To get rid of this trap
he took all the possible steps. At last
like all other dictators he too became
very fierce. He took enormous effort
to protect his position by changing
of feudal strongholds, getting the
people to work by-force from the
people living in suspicious areas,
and driving out the women married
from outside, to their birth places.
Almost every day orders of death
punishments were issued. Thus
Ehelepola Adikaram (chief minister)
was sent to Sabaragamuwa, changing
his ruling area, for no reason. Again
he was summoned to king’s Palace,
to inquire about a wrong allegation,
against him. What he did was instead
of going to the palace, started a
rebellion, and requested help from
the English. As they couldn’t find
enough personnel’s, they avoided.
Though he sent Molligoda with some
of colleagues to arrest Ehelepola,
who had been expelled from the post
by the time, joined the English side
with some of his supporters. All the
captives were killed and Ehelepola
family was taken in to custody. For
two weeks the king was expecting
Ehelepola’s surrender, which didn’t
happen, made to increase his anger.
Though he summoned the council
member, gave the judgment himself.
All the rivals of Ehelepola provoked
the king to give rigorous punishments.
To implement the punishments he
selected the holy site opposite the
Natha Devalaya which was never
used for such purposes. The lady
Ehelepola knowing the attitude of the
king determined to face the death
without fear, she made aware, her
children her husband’s brother, his
wife that it was useless to beg pardon
or plead, and without fear to face
the death. As upcountry lady, she
dressed herself with all ornaments
along with the others. As a pious and
faithful wife she mentioned her
husband’s honesty and her sacrifice
was dedicated to him. This cruel
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king’s order was to put her to death
after seeing the dead bodies of her
children. Addressing her children she
said being the children of Ehelepola,
not to be timid, but to face the death
bravely. When the executioner went
near the 11 year old elder son, he
went to the mother crying and
embraced her in fear. Seeing this, the
9 year old younger son, Madduma
Bandara, requested his brother not
to be a timid fellow, and behaving
like that was an insult to the Father,
and that he would show, how, to
face death and immediately went
near the chopping Block and kept
the head on it. Within a few seconds
his head was separated with one
stroke of the sword, and the others
were too killed in the same manner.
The youngest baby was put in to a
mortar and asked the lady to pound
it giving a pestle into her hand. The
refusal to do so would cause her to
marry a “Rodiya” a low caste man. As
she raised the pestle and to pound,
fell unconscious and after regaining
consciousness the king ordered
to drown her in the Bogambara
Reservoir (Tank). She walked forward
along with the sister-in-law without
trampling, the dead bodies of the
children, and advised the sister in
law not to cry, and face the situation
bravely, in the name of Ehelepola
Family. Sister in law was pushed into
the reservoir tying a big stone in the
neck. Then the executioner turned
towards the Lady. Ehelepola, and was
about to do the same punishment.
But before the executioner came to
her all of a sudden she jumped in to
the reservoir, shouting that she was
the wife of Ehelepola, and she would
never try to escape after putting
her children to death. There after
Ehelepola’s brother was too killed.
Story goes as if the executioner had
kicked the dead body of his. As these
dirty happenings had taken place in a
Holy place, the people protested by
not lighting the lamps and fasting.
Within a short period of 9 months
king was overthroned, and Sri Lanka
became a crown colony. Afterwards,
there was a rumour that the king was
repenting about these assassinations.
These facts were accumulated from
the book published by Sir Henry
Charles (1850) named CEYLON AND
SINHALESE. He had obtained these
facts from a Kandyan aristocrat, who
had witnessed that incident.
5, Vishnu Maha Devalaya.
To the North of Natha Devalaya,
on the other side of the road, Vishnu
Devalaya can be seen on a hillock. The
History of this is entangling. According
to certain educated people, the
statue belong to the Dondra Devalaya
of Matara, which was built by the king
Dappula (659 -667 A.D) was taken
from there to Aluthnuwara Devalaya
in Mawanella to (Kandy and) built
a new Devalaya. But the Professor
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indigenous revelations of classic
carpentry masterpieces in fixing
rafters without using a single wire
nail. The” Madol Kurupawa” is one
of the finest examples of medieval
Carpentry excellence. It is a wooden
pin which holds together 26 rafters
at the hipped end of the roof of the
Digge. The entrance to the Devalaya
is also a valuable carvings, including a
mother suckling a child. The Devalaya
site consist of 8 buildings. The
Architect of this wonderful creation
was Delmada Achari.
Catching, taming and training the elephants or “Kuruwe Karyansaya”.
When peeping in to the history
of catching taming and training the
elephants, it extends far back as far
as 2500 years. Even during the Pre-
Laxapana falls
Christian period, there had been a
very high demand for elephants from
Countries like Rome, Iberia, Spain,
and Portugal. The historians have
shown with examples that the Kings
were very enthusiastic in getting the
Sri Lankan Elephants.
After selecting a suitable spacious
place to keep the elephants, they
prepare a suitable shed or stable,
where the elephants could be kept
easily, or renovate the available
stable.
First of all the hunters go in to the
wilderness ( Forest ) with well trained
one or two she elephants and release
them in to the forest, where the wild
elephants are roaming Subsequently
very tactfully separate about five
young elephants from the herd with
the help of tamed she elephants.
Cannot predict the time, as to how
long it would take. It maybe two or
three days for this purpose, most
probably. Any way now the risk is
over as the needful is already done.
At this time, have to be very careful,
thoughtful, without provoking them,
to handle the rest of the job.
As the beasts do not like to
separate from the gang, as such very
patiently and tactfully the young
looking elephants have to be chased
to the required direction. Then
according to the commands given to
the trained elephants, newly selected
elephants should be guided to the
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required stable.
Under the guidance of the
Gajanayake Nilame and the leader of
the group this should be implemented
as thus. On either sides of the path
where elephants are moved, a
large crowd of people follow like
that of a procession beating drums,
blowing trumpets, and shouting and
hooting. Even in the night the torch
bearers give a good a contribution
in this process until the arrival of the
elephants to the expected stable.
If the expected distance to the
stable is very far, on either side heaps
of bon fires (fire places) are arranged
at regular intervals, and turn by
turn the keepers start resting, and
using this procedure, the elephants
are driven to the expected spot,
encroached with strong logs of wood
planks.
After words the elephants are
taken one separately round up and
put them in the stable, So that they
can’t move here and there. Later
logs of wood are placed in between
the legs and tie them. The next step
is they are given food and water and
also bathing is done. This procedure
is continued for some weeks. Food,
water is given to them considering
their behaviour, fierceness. As time
goes on gradually they get tamed and
loyal to the keeper.
Now the keepers (guards) can go
near them feed them, and get them
to behave according to the orders
given or (commands) but never allow
them to roam here and there alone.
There are times that the untamed
elephants, attack the tamed
elephants, and through their practice
and experience, avert the blow or
attack by the head. This period is
very risky, for the untamed and the
elephant keeper. There had been
instances where the elephants and
the keepers had died.
The keeper gives orders, using the
elephant goad, and the elephants
get to work, or carry out the
orders. Sometimes elephants are
ordered to drag the logs of wood.
This way elephants get trained for
other purposes as well. Catching
elephants is a very big task, and here
it is described in a comprehensive
manner. Reliable and actual details of
this process can be obtained from the
Kandy period, historical facts.
During this period there had
been a separate Department under
the patronage of the King and the
Chief was Gajanayake Nilame. This
organization was named as “Kuruwe
Karyansaya”, and the taxes levied
for selling elephants was named as
“Kuruwe Badda”.
17. Waterfalls of Sri Lanka.
When you go to see the waterfalls,
get a good guide, who knows the
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They had to roam here and there in
search of meals. As a result not only
the priests but also so many ordinary
laymen too had to die of starvation.
Some priests went to the forests and
started studying the Doctrine while
taking fruits and leaves as meals.
Some priests went to India. When
the famine came to an end, the
Buddhist Doctrine too had to face a
severe situation. So many learned
Bhikkus were scattered and some
have died. Observing this pathetic
situation about 500 enlightened
priests assembled at Aluviharaya,
and started the codification of the
Buddhist Doctrine. Including the
cave temple and the cluster of other
buildings under a range of rocks,
nicely connected each other, and the
very Ola Leaves which include the
Buddhist Doctrine, consist of very
important information’s.
Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya (Cave Temple Complex)
To :- DD MMYYYY TIMEAM/PM
There are different arguments about
the beginning of Dambulu Viharaya
and the about ancient names of
it, among the scholars, and it is
Complicating to a certain to extent.
Among the ancient names "Chatagiri"
(250 - 137 - 119BC) Vishvagiri (5 AD)
and Jambukola (1055 - 1110 A.D)
had been there according to the
acceptance of most of the historians.
There are many vivid explanations
given to the name Dambulla how
it derives. One is "Damba" (Rock)
and "Ulpatha". The fountain can be
treated as the most appropriate and
acceptable one. That is because of
drops of water that trickle from the
roof of the second cave never get
dried even during a drought, similarly
when looking in to the historical facts
about this place, so many valuable
archa logical information’s have been
perished due to the restoration
works done during the Polonnaruwa,
Kandyan regimes, as well as recent
restorations as such we have to come
to a conclusion, considering the
remaining archaeological facts, and
the other facts as well. Out of them
the inscriptions found in this holy site,
get a prominent place. That amounts
to about 35, and out of them 34
belong to the latter part of Brahmi
orthography (B.C period), they are of
importance to decide about the
beginning period of this holy place,
and come to a conclusion as well.
In one of the inscriptions, have
mentioned about a king named
Devana Piya Gamini Tisa, had offered
a cave to the Bhikkhus. (Monks)
Professor S. Paranavithana points
out the facts about two kings having
this honorary name. The first one
is the king Devanam Piyatissa (250
- 210 B. C). Who rendered a very
good contribution in stabilizing the
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Buddhism in Sri Lanka. So far not
identified Vessagiriya, as mentioned
in the chronicles, if that is relevant to
this place, the creator of this should
be the king Devanam Piyatissa. To
prove that no archaeological proofs
have been found yet. But proofs
have been found, that this place was
known as "Vishvagiri" in the 5th C.
AD. In those two names, the meaning
and the accent are quite similar. As
it is there is no harm in considering
him as the founder of this, according
to some scholars. But at the same
time the king Devanampiyatissa’s
name too had been mentioned
in this honorary name in certain
inscriptions, according to prof . S.
Paranavithana. Similarly the stupe
named "Chatha Vana Chetha" find in
the western slope of this holy place
had been identified as one of his
creations. Therefore it is reasonable
to omit one out of those two and
coming to a decision. Considering
those facts,it is Clear that one out of
those two kings had contributed to
this./ But according to the legends
and the writings in ola leaves belong
to the Kandyan period, one of the
writers give the honour to the king
Walagmabahu as the founder of this
Vihara Complex (87 - 76 Bc) If we
accept the Dambulu Viharaya as the
ancient Vessagiriya, we can accept
that, at the South Indian Invasion,
in his first year of reigning (102 B.C)
loosing and had used this place as
his shelter for Safety until his re-
organizing for war. Though there are
lacking of archaeological proofs, there
are so many facts found in legends
and other in formations as well.
Likewise according to the chronicles
the first place of his hide with queen
and children is also agrees with this
place (Vessagiriya).
Afterwards, as mentioned about
the place of his re-organizing is also
matches with this place. In one of
the inscriptions, have mentioned
about an offering of a cave to the
monks, during the period of the king
Gamini Abhaya. At the same time,
it has been identified that excluding
the king Walagamba four other kings
had been using this honorary name.
As it is, it has become a difficult task
to come to a conclusion, leaving
those kings a side. But at the same
time, we cannot come to a decision
that he did not do any sponsorship
to the holy place. That is because
we can’t reject the facts find in the
legends and in the ola leaves written
about Dambulla Temple. Similarly, at
the time of his being not safe, as he
came to power again, that he helped
the people who helped at the time
of his dangerous situation. Though
there are no powerful proofs to
prove, it is reasonable to accept, that
he gave a good Sponsorship for the
development of this holy site.
About the Dambulla Temple, a
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clear description is found in the
chronicles at the time of the king
Vijayabahu I (1055 - 1110 AD),
We find the information's, in the
chronicles, about the restorations
done by him in this holy site, Next,
the chronicles as well as inscriptions
reveal, that the king Nissankamalla
(1187 - 1196 AD) by spending 700000
gold coins, gold plated 73 Buddha
statues and covered the roof with
golden coloured tiles and named
as swarnagiri Caves. The suspicion
of the things find in his inscriptions
had been a common thing for those
who study archaeology. Because of
his habit, that after restoring any
erection done by some others, he
tried to win the full credit for him, by
including his name as if he had done
the whole thing.
But in those inscriptions, had
mentioned only about restorations
were done in a magnificent manner.
as these facts had been approved
by the chronicles too, not necessary
to suspect them. Similarly even
that time too there had been 73
statues and this temple complex
had been existing from the time
of Anuradhapura period, is a very
powerful proof. Thereafter almost
every king lived during the Kandy
period, had sponsored this temple.
Specially the king Keerthi Sri
Rajasingha (1747 - 1781 AD) had
erected 60 Buddha Statues as well as
a massive restoration for the temple
complex. Due to the restorations
the antiquity of the murals and the
statues cannot be identified. Most
of the murals found here, are having
In the MahaRaja Cave Temple
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are present the features of the Kandy
period. Therefore can imagine all the
statues and the murals would have
been reconstructed as mentioned
earlier.
Sigiriya Fortress, Royal Gardens, Palace Complex
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While proceeding from Dambulla
along the Trincomalee Road, about
15km, meet the Inamaluwa junction.
Proceeding about 7km from there,
can meet the Sigiriya Kingdom.
Sigiriya and the places around were
prehistoric settlements. (Inhabited
Areas) It has been proved by
archaeological excavations done in
areas like Pidurangala, Ibbankatuwa,
Rotawewa and Mulasunu Pothana.
Afterwards along with the
stabilization of Buddhism, or close to
that period Sigiriya became a Buddhist
monastery. This too had been proved
by inscriptions found in the caves
considering the orthography of
those inscriptions the opinion of the
scholars is that they belong to 3-2 be
periods. It is accepted as this area had
been abandoned 1-5 AD. That is due
to not having substantial proofs, of
any human activities, had taken place
within this area. As it is at the time
of king Kashyapa's coming to power
too this area had been neglected 477
AD. There would have been many
reasons for him to build his defensive
palace complex here. Presently
this area has become a well known
worldwide tourist centre as well as
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a archaeological centre. Though this
beautiful Sigiriya, which makes the
tourists amazing, the legend of the
place is not so pleasing.
In brief it is as thus : -
In the period of 459 - 477 the chief
ruler of Sri Lanka was the excellent
king named Dhathusena. He came
to power, by chasing out the South
Indian invaders by a terrible revolt.
He had two queens. Both of them had
two sons and one daughter. The elder
son was the second Queen's son,
Prince Kashyapa. The Chief Queen's
had a son and a daughter and their
son was Mugalan. The chief Queen’s
daughter (Princess) given in marriage
to Migara the son of the King's sister.
As such Migara being the nephew of
the King, was appointed as the chief
commanding officer of his army. One
day on a dispute between these two,
Migara had beat the princess with a
whip, and assaulted. The injured and
with bleeding wounds, she went to
the father king and complained about
it. The antagonized king ordered to
arrest him, but by the time, he had
bolted away. The king becoming more
wild, set fire and killed his mother
in public. Probably she would have
had involved in this dispute. To take
revenge from the king, Migara got
fraternized with Kashyapa secretly
who had to inheritance to the throne.
Afterwards, Migara and Kashyapa
conspired and instigated the
soldiers, who were under him, to
against the King. As a result the
king was imprisoned and Kashyapa
was made the King. Along with
this incident Mugalan bolted away
to India for his safety. Though the
Migara's conspiracy was successful,
his ambition was to kill the king.
Therefore he provoked Kashyapa,
saying that the king had hidden lot
of wealth. To be given to Mugalan for
future use, and slandering like that
increased his enmity. But Dhathusena
was a very eminent and good king
who had spent his wealth and built so
many irrigatory reservoirs (tanks) for
the welfare of the masses. Because
of that he would not have had such
a big wealth as Migara had slandered,
but Kashyapa and Migara claiming
that wealth had severely harassed
him. Being unable to bear up the
harresment, the requested them to
take the king to Kalawewa to show the
wealth, that he was hiding. When he
was taken to Kalawewa having a good
bath in the reservoir, had said "this
is the only wealth I own" showing
this proclamation as an insult, to
Kashyapa instigated Kashyapa to take
revenge. So keeping the king leaning
to the dam of Kalawewa (reservoir),
laying lumps of wet clay on the whole
body covering him entirely and put
him to death. Along with these series
of incidents the Buddhist monks too
got disgusted with the new king's
behaviur.
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four (4) plans about these routes, to
face an attack.
Today we can see only the paws of
the lion and a portion of the stairway,
and that is too restored according
to archaeology. The opinion of
archaeologists is that there had been
a figure of a seated Lion about 185m
in height. In about (4) four graffities
on the mirror wall have mentioned
about this lion. In one such graffiti
we can see written as follows (Sakala
Lowa Pethiri Kith Yasasin Yuth Sinha
Raja Api Sigiriyedi Dutuwemu) We
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saw the lion king, spreaded its fame
far and wide in the world. According
to that verse, even that time too
Sigiriya had been a famous centre
of attraction. Due to this lion figure
Sigiriya has got this name. Going
through the throat of a Lion is the
simple meaning of it (Lion’s + Throat)
The Drip Lines around the Sigiri Rock
The drip line is cut on the rock to
avert falling rain water into the cave.
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importance. It has been built on a
rock of 130 metres in height, taking
Sigiriya and Dabadeniya as examples.
For easy security arrangements and
that he wanted to show himself, as
a God on the rock as such he would
have selected this place.
The ornamental stairway leading
to the top is an excellent showpiece.
The stone carvings of the two lions
on either sides of the stairway, the
dancing women figures on the wall
and the guard stone with a beautiful
woman figure carrying a filled pot are
master pieces which show the skilled
craftsmanship of our Artistes.
This fortress is surrounded by
moats and ramparts, and there are
ruins of several buildings and the
palace of the king also can be seen.
The massive stock of 1352 ancient
Chinese coins ever found in Sri Lanka
was from this place.
Jaffna Fortress.
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This Fortress can be seen, close
to the Jaffna Town. The Portuguese
built this Fortress, when they
conquered the Northern Sri Lanka
in 1618. In 1658 the Dutch besieged
this Fortress for 3 months and after
an attack captured power, later they
extended and made it a bigger. Again
in 1795 the British captured power
and used it as a defensive Fortress,
until Sri Lanka won Independence.
Afterwards Sri Lankan Army used
the same as a defensive fortress, and
again the L.T.T.E was holding it from
1986 to 1995. At the last civil war so
many damages occurred due to
harmful actions.
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Now the government is developing
and renovating the same to attract
the tourists.
Kandasami Kovil of Nallur. (Jaffna)
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Proceeding from Jaffna Town
towards Point Pedro for about 1.5 Km
can meet the Kovil. The Sinhala and
Tamil Historians have a tussle about
the creator of this Kovil. According
to Tamil Historians, it had been built
by the first Tamil king Vijaya Kulankai.
(1215 – 1240 A.D.) But the Sinhala
Historians opinion is it is work of king
Bhuwaneka Bahu VI who reigned
in Kotte from (1470 – 1478 A.D.).
But According to official Web-site of
Nallur Kovil, a Tamil Prince named
Sanpaha Perumal, an adopted son
of King Bhuwaneka Bahu VI. (www.
nalluran.com) As such most of the
information found in it has failed
to win the beliefs of impartial
Historians. Prof H. T. Basnayaka the
Historian quotes according to the
recitals containing Tamil Folk Tales,
done at the annual ceremonies,
clearly shows it is the work of King
Bhuwaneka Bahu VI. In 1560 after
struggle between Portuguese and
king Sangili of Jaffna, it was smashed
by the Portuguese. Again in 1749 it
has been restored. Every year in July
and August an excellent Festival is
being held, following Hindu rites and
rituals. Everyday many Sinhala and
Tamil devotees come here seeking
the help of the God, at 4.30 A.m.
10.00 A.m. and 5.00 P.m. the offerings
are done every day.
Fredrik Fortress – Trincomalee.
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This Fortress is found close to the
Trincomalee Town. Before erecting
this Fortress in the site where it is
situated at present a Kovil stands,
there had been an ancient Kovil. That
was destroyed by the Portuguese,
but In 1624 though they erected
a fortress within a short period of
14 years, they lost the same. That
was due to the capturing power
after defeating the Portuguese, by
the Dutch and king Rajasingha’s II
Fredrik Fortress
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soldiers in 1638.05.02. There after
they used it for a short period, and
to cover their expenses, the king
had to hand over 10 elephants, and
then handed over the Fortress to
the king’s officers, and afterwards
they demolished it. Again in 1666,
following an agreement between
the king Rajasingha II and the Dutch,
the ownership went to their hands,
and they rebuilt it named as Fredrik
Fortress. In 1782 the English captured
power of it, afterwards for a short
time, French also seized power. Again
in 1795 the English captured and until
Sri Lanka got Independence, it was
used as their centre of Administration
and Security. A big crowd comes
here daily to worship and to see
the ruins belonging to Polonnaruwa
Period. Here the entire surrounding
is very enticing and anybody can
appreciate the beauty of the sea.
The Trincomalee harbour which is to
the south of the fortress had been in
function from ancient times. During
the Polonnaruwa Period at the time
of King Parakrama Bahu (1153 –
1186 A.D) this harbour was used for
exporting purposes. By the time it
was known as Gokanna, because it
took a shape of an ear of an elk. The
most ancient and the remarkable
happening of this harbour is king
Panduwasdev’s arrival to Sri Lanka
with his queen in 504 – 474 B.C.
Fortress in Galle.
This is found in Galle Town. This
had been used as a commercial
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harbour from ancient times. The
Greek national, Ptolemy has marked
in his map that there was a harbour
here in 125 – 150 A.D. Lorenzo de
Almeida, the Portuguese navigator
with his fleet of ships, first came
to this harbour in 1505. After
conquering the power in 1588, they
erected this fortress here. Though
in 1640 king Raja Singhe II with the
help of Dutch, captured this fortress,
but the Portuguese surrounded
this fortress for several months and
attacked. At the time the brother, of
king Raja Singhe II, Prince Vijayapala
had started a revolt in Uva Province,
as such couldn’t supply enough
soldiers to assist the Dutch. Later
the Dutch renovated the fortress
and the Catholic Church existing here
was also built by them. In 1796 the
English captured power, and used it
as their fortress, until the Sri Lanka
got Independence. It consisted of a
store of Trade and Commerce, a store
of gun powder and weapons, prisons,
judiciary Courts, and administrative
centre, a complex of (housing)
quarters for the officers as well. The
UNESCO Organization has named this
place as a Universal Heritage, and is
able to attract the attention of the
local and foreign tourists. The existing
Light House here is the first one, to be
erected in Sri Lanka in 1848. Earlier
there had been a Flag Post here to
give signals to the ships passing this
area, Moreover it has become a place
Fortress in Galle.
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cultivation was perished completely
due to a disease named Coffee-
Rust. It was a terrible blow to the
country’s economic condition, as well
as to the cultivators. Due to this their
economy too went down and were
compelled them to sell their lands for
low prices, and as a result. So many
estate companies evolved. Though
the coffee cultivation vanished, along
with the arrival of methodical road
system, became a blessing for the Tea
Cultivation.
As a trade the Tea Cultivation was
introduced by James Taylor (the
originator) in 1860. He is considered
as the pioneer of Tea Industry. At first
he had started the Cultivation in 20
acres, in Loole Condera estate range.
But along with the breakdown
of Coffee to find money for the Tea
plantation, they established legalized
companies, and sold the shares to
the people in, Colombo and England.
Most of the share holders of these
were the British. As time went on,
around 1962, Sri Lanka became the
chief supplier of Tea to the world.
Wariga Sabhawa (Council of the Clan.)
This method of Wariga Sabhawa
(organization of the clan) was existing
until the recent times in the areas
belong to the Kandyan regime. Even
now this process is being carried on
certain areas. A popular, honest,
trustworthy, honourable, elderly
person is appointed as the chief who
can win the confidence of residents.
Everybody seeks his advice for their
problems.
As generally about 99% of the
residents of a village are relations
belong to the same caste, not only
the village temple, tank, paddy fields
but also their customs pertaining
to their castes, the clan protection
were the main duties of the council.
They cannot be done by the laws of
the government. The punishment
for breaching laws imposed by the
government will be terminated after
fining or imprisonment, but here not
only the accused but the whole family
would have to bare punishments.
The Chief would not take decisions
alone, instead the elders and the
other respectable citizens also join in
such occasions. If it is a grave offence
the priest of the Village Temple too
will be summoned for the judgment.
That is done to show the transparency
and the impartiality of the judgment.
Though the members of this Council
are not well educated, they are well
experienced. There are no written
constitutions but everything happens
verbally. The followings are some of
the offences for which the council
took actions.
1. Parents, Elders, Brothers and
sisters, quarreling with each
Others.
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2. Bringing disgrace to the clan by
marrying from an unsuitable
family.
3. Ignoring the Vel Vidane’s, orders
fishing in the tanks.
4. Hunting the pregnant animals.
5. Cutting down the trees in the
embankments of the tanks.
6. Fighting or harassing the
Villagers.
7. Stealing.
8. Behaving badly in the Village and
outside bringing disgrace to the
village.
9. Killing Bulls and eating Beef.
10. Spreading bad habits etc.
The above mentioned offences
were treated as very grave, and
certain prohibitions are announced.
Anybody marrying from a unsuitable
family would be a great offence.
Knowing this if the parents do not
inform about it, they will also have
to undergo punishments. At first the
accused are summoned and give a
warning. If the parties, go their own
way ignoring the warning they are
treated as traitors. In such cases,
they are left isolated, and the other
villagers are advised not to associate
them. As such, sometimes they will
have to leave the village, as there is
no other alternative. There are some
instances, where some have gone to
courts, against such decisions. But
the courts have no authority to give
orders to the village common welfare
activities. The prosecution is done
to the council by an elderly person.
E.g.:- The courts have no authority to
give orders to anybody to participate
in funerals, or a family function the
Native Physician to give treatments
to patients. The Mid-wife to help a
lady at the child delivery, and also to
the priests to take part in the religions
activities in a funeral.
If any youth (young man) wants
to make a complaint at first he has
to inform an elderly person. If he is
able give a solution, without referring
to the Council, he can do so. If not
only that it will be forwarded to the
Council. (The Wariga Sabhawa) The
elderly person who receives the
complaint first, go through the case,
and later informs to the chief. Then
along with the other chiefs, do the
inquiry, considering the evidences
given by the both sides. No false
evidences are given due to the fear.
If the defender is not present, the
inquiry will be held one-sided.
SINHLA – HINDU – New Year Festival.
From ancient times, the New
Year festival was held by the paddy
farmers, in April a after reaping their
harvest. Though it is named as Spring
Festival it is held to celebrate the
Sun changing over from House of
Pisces to House of Aries. According
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