Jetavanarama Pilimage

Jetavanaramaya Pilima Geya (Image house of Jetavanarama) is located to the west of the Jetavanarama Stupa and is the main image house found in the monastery complex.

The building is a Gedige-type image house that once had a vaulted roof made of brick (Jayasuriya, 2016). As having a main and a side entrance, the building belongs to the Gandakuti style comprising a Garbha-gruhaya and an Antharalaya (Wijesuriya & Weerasekara, 1997). According to the present architectural features, this image house is thought to be a work belonging to the later Anuradhapura Period.

The entrance to the image house is a stone door frame which is about 8 meters (27 feet) tall (Jayasuriya, 2016; Wikramagamage, 2004). It suggests that this image house had sheltered a colossal standing image of Buddha. The Buddha statue may have been done in brick and mortar and the circumambulatory path around it allowed devotees to pay their homage (Jayasuriya, 2016). The lotus pedestal (Padmasana) of the Buddha statue and the twenty-five chamber stone reliquary (Yantragala) of the shrine are still at the site. There are indications that they had been destroyed by fire. The ruined buildings around the image house could be the subsidiary structures of the main shrine.

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References

1) Jayasuriya, E., 2016. A guide to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Central Cultural Fund. ISBN: 978-955-613-312-7. p.41.
2) Wijesuriya, G.; Weerasekara, H., 1997. Footprints of our heritage. Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO. ISBN: 955-9043-32-3. p.42.
3) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites: Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.136.

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Ravana Ella Falls

Ravana Ella Falls is a waterfall located in Ella in Badulla District, Sri lanka. The fall is about 25 m tall and formed by a tributary of Kirindi Oya.

This fall is called by the name of Ravana, a name of a mythical king found in the Indian Hindu epic Ramayanaya. According to popular beliefs King Ravana had held Sita (Seetha) in captivity in this place. However, the authenticity of the Ramayanaya is controversial and hence it is today dismissed as a myth by Sri Lankan scholars (JRASSL, 2014)

References

1) JRASSL, 2014. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka New Series, Vol. 59, No. 2, Special Issue on the Ramayana (2014). https://www.jstor.org/stable/i40203619. pp.1-112.

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Mawaragala Aranya Senasanaya

Mawaragala Aranya Senasanaya is a Buddhist temple situated in the village of Dambana in Badulla District, Sri Lanka. The site is located about 15 km far from the Mahiyanganaya town.

The temple is a forest hermitage consisting of a number of rock caves prepared as dwellings for Buddhist monks. Few of them are drip-ledged caves and some contain Brahmi inscriptions inscribed just below the drip-ledges (Priyadarshani & Gunasena, 2017).

Mavaragala cave inscriptions (right) Period : 2nd century BC - 1st century AC Transcript : Parumaka Tabatisha puta  Parumaka Tisaha lene shagasha Translation : The cave of chief Tissa, the son of chief Tamba-Tissa, (is given) to the Sanga. Reference : Paranavitana, 1970

A protected site

The drip-ledges caves of Mawaragala Aranya Senasanaya are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a Gazette notification published on 22 November 2002.

Attribution
1) Mavaragala by L Manju is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

References

1) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscription of Ceylon: Volume I: Early Brahmi inscription. Department of Archaeology Ceylon. p. 67.

2) Priyadarshani, S.A.N.; Gunasena, I.P.P., 2017. Pauranika Sthana Ha Smaraka: Badulla Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Department of Archaeology. ISBN: 955-9159-48-8. pp.16-18.
3) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no: 1264, 22 November 2002. 

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Yatawatta Purana Viharaya, Pahalagama

Yatawatte Purana Viharaya (also known as Vidyaravindra Maha Pirivena) is a Buddhist temple situated in the village of Pahalagama in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.

History

The history of the Yatawatta temple is believed to be dated back to the reign of King Parakramabahu VI [(1412–1467 A.D.) Jayasundara, 2018]. The Tempita Viharaya (temple on pillars) which is considered as the oldest construction of this temple today is said to be erected using the stone pillars which were once belonged to a Devalaya (Jayasundara, 2018).

According to the date mentioned above the entrance of the Tempita shrine, this structure has been established or renovated on 21 March 1861 (Wijayawardhana, 2010). The Netra Mangalya of the Buddha image is said to be taken place on 22 March 1866 (Chandrasoma, 2013).

Tempita Viharaya

Tempita Viharas (the temples on pillars) were a popular aspect of many Buddhist temples during the Kandyan Period. These structures were usually built on a wooden platform resting on bare stone pillars or stumps which are about 1-4 feet tall. The roof is generally made of timber and held by wooden stumps and wattle walls. The walls form the main enclosed shrine room containing the Buddhist sculptures and murals belonging to the Kandyan style. Some Tempita Viharas have narrow verandas and ambulatories circulating the main enclosed space. Construction of these buildings was started in the 17th century and lasted till the end of the 19th century (Wijayawardhana, 2010). 

Yatawatta Tempita Viharaya
The Tempita Viharaya is the main aspect of this temple with an archaeological significance. It consists of two parts (image chamber and outer ambulatory) and has been built upon 30 granite stumps of about 3-4 feet tall (Chandrasoma, 2013; Wijayawardhana, 2010). Two flight of steps make the access to the image chamber as well as to the ambulatory which surround the chamber. The ambulatory is about 2 ft. 6 in. wide and a short wall of about 3 feet tall runs along its outer boundary (Chandrasoma, 2013; Wijayawardhana, 2010). The total Tempita structure is about 20 feet long and 16 feet wide (Chandrasoma, 2013; Wijayawardhana, 2010).

The outer walls of the ambulatory contain no paintings drawn but the image chamber is adorned with the paintings and sculptures belonging to the Kandyan style. Two statues of guardians accompanied by a Makara Thorana (a dragon arch) are found at the entrance of the image chamber. On the side walls are three figures of deities, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Gane Bandara (Wijayawardhana, 2010). Also, a painting of a Buddhist monk called Udugampola Sonuththara Thera who is believed to be a  head priest of the temple long ago, is found drawn on the wall (Wijayawardhana, 2010).

A wood ceiling covers the upper part of the chamber (Jayasundara, 2018). The main sculpture found in the chamber is a seated Buddha statue of about 4 feet 6 inches tall (Wijayawardhana, 2010). On the two sides of the Buddha statue are statues of deities, Vishnu and Saman (Wijayawardhana, 2010).

The Tempita building was renovated and conserved by the Archaeological Department on 28 February 2013.

A protected monument

The Tempita Vihara within the premises of Pahalagama Vidyaravinda Maha Pirivena situated in Grama Niladhari Division Pahalagama in the Divisional Secretary’s’ Division, Gampaha is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a Gazette notification published on 12 April 2016.

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References

1) Chandrasoma, S., 2013. Gampaha Distrikkaye Tempita Vihara (In Sinhala). Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). Colombo. ISBN: 978-955-9159-85-8. pp.18-24.
2) Jayasundara, A.K., 2018. Yatawatta tempita viharaye murthi saha sithuwam sanrakshanaya kere (In Sinhala). Dayada Newsletter. July 2018. 12th edition. Department of Archaeology.p.19.
3) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no: 1963. 12 April 2016. p. 17.
4) Wijayawardhana, K., 2010. Sri Lankawe Tampita Vihara (In Sinhala). Dayawansa Jayakody & Company. Colombo. ISBN: 978-955-551-752-2. pp. 12,251-256.

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Komarikagala

Komarikagala is a rock situated in the Pelwatta Sugar Industry Division in Monaragala District, Sri Lanka. The site is located about 1 km far from the mountain of the Buttala Iron Ore Deposit.

Ruins

A drip-ledged cave with an early-Brahmi inscription has been found on the site. In front of the cave is a Kema, a natural pond that is believed to have been used by the dwelling monks. On the top of the rock, scattered rubble of ruined structures is found. Most of the ruins seemed to have been destroyed due to the ignorant deeds of the people.

Komarikagala cave inscription

Period: 3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.   
Scripts: Early Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala
Transcript: Parumaka Pulaya puta parumaka Utara puta parumaka Datasha kumi lene ca shagasha dine
Translation: The cistern and the cave of chief Datta, son of the chief Uttara, son of the chief Pulaya, are given to the Buddhist Sangha

 
Citation: Paranavitana, 1970.
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References

1) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscriptions of Ceylon: Volume I: Early-Brahmi inscriptions. Department of Archaeology Ceylon. p.54.

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Piyangala Aranya Senasanaya

Not to be confused with Kotasara Piyangala Viharaya

Piyangala Aranya Senasanaya (also known as Piyangala Raja Maha Viharaya) is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Piyangala in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. The site is located about 18 km far from Uhana town.

History

The temple is a forest hermitage and is situated in the eastern part of Rajagala Mountain (Withanachchi, 2013). The modern Viharaya and the hermitage have been established at the site in 1963 (Medhananda, 1984).

A large number of caves that were used as dwellings for the monks are found on the temple premises. Some of the caves contain early Brahmi inscriptions inscribed just below their drip-ledges. Among them, several inscriptions are considered very important as they give details about the royalties connected to King Dutugemunu/Gamini Abhaya [(161-137 B.C.) Medhananda, 1984]. According to the view of Medhananda, these inscriptions reveal the names of King Dutugemunu's wife (Rajitha), his daughter (Abitissa), his mother-in-law (Abitissa), his son-in-law (Sumana) and his grandson [(Abhaya) Medhananda, 1984].

Piyangala early-Brahmi Inscriptions

Transcript: Devanapiya Maharakjhaha Gamini Abaha kjaya Rakjithaya mathaya Abithishaya lene

Translation: The cave of Abitissa, the mother of Rajitha, the wife of King Gamini Abhaya

Citation: Medhananda, 1984. p.11.

• Piyangala cave inscription of Uttaragutta (above photograph)
  
  Transcript: Utharagutha theraha lene
  Translation: The cave of Uththara Guththa Thera.
  Citation: Medhananda, 1984. p.10.

• Piyangala cave inscription of Chunda Tissa
  
  Transcript: Batha Chudi Thishaha lene dashahagama ....shagasha
  Translation: The cave of chief Chunda Thissa/Chula Thissa (is given) to the Sangha.

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Ruins of several Stupas as well as fragments of clay tiles and bricks have been found on the hermitage premises. Near the temple is a cave with frescoes of Adiwasi people (Vedda). 

A protected site

The site of the ruins of buildings with stone pillars belonging to Piyangala Viharaya situated in Grama Niladhari Division No. 104/5W, Piyangala in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Uhana is an archaeological protected site, declared by a government gazette notification published on 26 December 2014.

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Attribution

1) Piyangala Rajamaha Vihara 2 by L Manju is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

References

1) Medhananda, E. 1984. Aprakata Brahmi Sellipi Ha Puravastu (In Sinhala). Sri Lanka Society of Archaeology. pp.4-5,9-12.

2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1895. 26 December 2014. p.1150.

3) Withanachchi, C. R., 2013. Pauranika Sthana Saha Smaraka: Ampara Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). p. 37.

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Kolapathana Ella Falls

Kolapathana Ella Falls is a waterfall located in Mandaram Nuwara in Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka.

The fall is located about 1 km distance from the Mandaram Nuwara town and can be reached through a small hike. The fall cascades through several sections and is formed by a stream originated from the Piduruthalagala Conservation Forest.

A secondory fall also can be seen at the left side of the main fall.

Presently, the site has become a popular tourist place, specially among the locals. Bathing and camping near the fall are possible.

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Udayagiri Raja Maha Viharaya

Udayagiri Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: උදයගිරි රජ මහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. It is situated in the village of Udagirigama about 3.5 km far from Uhana town.

History

The original Stupa which was located here has been completely reconstructed (Withanachchi, 2013). According to local beliefs, it was a work that belonged to the reign of King Udaya I [(903-914 A.D.) Withanachchi, 2013].

Inscription
A pillar inscription established in the tenth regnal year of King Udaya I is found at the entrance gate of the temple (Medhananda, 2003). It records that the lands of this temple had been exempted from the Veletta Badda (probably a kind of tax imposed on grains) by two generals named Udaya and Abhaya (Medhananda, 2003).

The temple which was in a state of ruins was again become an abode of Buddhist monks in about 1926 (Medhananda, 2003). The modern image house of the temple was constructed in 1975.

A protected site

The site with the evidence of buildings with stone pillars, all archeological relics such as Stupa Chatra, balustrades, moonstone, and flower altar at the premises of Udayagiri Rajamaha Vihara belonging to Udagirigama village situated in Grama Niladhari Division No. W/88B, Udagirigama East in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Uhana are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government gazette notification published on 26 December 2014.

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References

1) Medhananda, Ven. E., 2003. Pacheena passa - Uttara passa: Negenahira palata ha uturu palate Sinhala bauddha urumaya (In Sinhala). Dayawansa Jayakody & Company. Colombo. ISBN: 978-955-686-112-9. pp.221-224.

2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no: 1895. 26 December 2014. p. 1150.
3) Withanachchi, C. R., 2013. Pauranika Sthana Saha Smaraka: Ampara Distrikkaya. Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). p.27.

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Sri Sudharmarama Purana Viharaya, Obada Ella

Sri Sudharmarama Purana Viharaya is a Buddhist temple situated in Obada Ella village in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka. It can be reached by travelling about 3.5 km along Diyathalawa road from Bandarawela town.

The image house

The image house of Obada Ella temple is believed to be built in 1880 (Priyadarshani & Gunasena, 2017). The paintings adorning the inner walls of the image house and the Makara Thorana (the Dragon Arch) show artistic features belonging to the Kandyan Period.

A protected monument

The old image house of Obadaella temple is a protected archaeological monument, declared by a Gazette notification published on 6 June 2008.

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References

1) Priyadarshani, S. A. N.; Gunasena, I. P. P., 2017. Pauranika Sthana Saha Smaraka: Badulla Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). ISBN: 955-9159-48-8. p. 52.
2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no: 1553, 6 June 2008. p. 530.

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Atadage

Atadage is a relic shrine located in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It has been identified as the Temple of the Tooth Relic built by King Vijayabahu I [(1055-1110 A.D.) Jayasuriya, 2016; Ray, 1960].

The building

Atadage is considered the oldest building located in the Sacred Quadrangle (Puja Chaturasraya or Dalada Maluwa). The building is square in shape and an oblong vestibule projects from the front side which faces to south direction. Approximately the structure is 22.5 m in length and 25.5 m in breadth (Wikramagamage, 2004). The stone pillars at the entrance part have been decorated with nice carvings (Jayasuriya, 2016).

Initially, it was a two-storied building and on the ground floor a standing Buddha statue (Jayasuriya, 2016; Wikramagamage, 2004). The upper floor was probably made of timber and had been supported by 54 stone pillars, each 8 ft. in height (Ray, 1960). This upper floor was accessed through a granite staircase and a few steps of it still remain at the site. The sacred Tooth Relic and the Bowl Relic of Buddha may have been deposited on the upper floor of this building (Jayasuriya, 2016).

Velaikkara Inscription

Near the Atadage is the Velaikkara inscription inscribed in Grantha, Tamil and Sinhala scripts. According to the inscription, the Tooth Relic which was in the custody of Rajaguru Mugalan Thera had been deposited here and its protection was entrusted to the Velaikkara soldiers who were the hired guards of the king (Wickremasinghe, 1928). Also, this is the place where the first anointment ceremony (of Vijayabahu) was held (Wickremasinghe, 1928). The inscription further reveals that Atadage was the house of a colossal statue of Buddha in which is held annually the ceremony of unloosing the sacred eyes (of the Buddha statue) and applying collyrium to them (Wickremasinghe, 1928).

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References

1) Jayasuriya, E., 2016. A guide to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Central Cultural Fund. ISBN: 978-955-613-312-7. p.76.
2) Ray, H. C. (Editor in Chief), 1960. University of Ceylon: History of Ceylon (Vol 1, part II). Ceylon University Press. p.434.
3) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major Natural, Cultural and Historic sites: Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p. 211.
4) Wickremasinghe, D. M. D. Z., 1928. Epigraphia Zeylanica: Being lithic and other inscriptions of Ceylon (Vol, II). Published for the government of Ceylon by Humphrey Milford. pp.242-255.

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Seetha Amman Temple

Seetha Amman Temple (Tamil: சீதா அம்மன் கோயில், Sinhala: සීතා අම්මාන් කෝවිල) is a Hindu temple (Kovil) in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. The Kovil is situated along the Nuwara Eliya - Welimada road about 8 km far from the Nuwara Eliya bus station. The site is popular among visitors as a place related to the Hindu epic Ramayanaya.

History

The temple was built by Tamil estate labourers who came to the country in the 19th century and is believed to be the earliest Hindu shrine in the Nuwara Eliya area (Abeywardana, 2004; Goonatilake, 2010). 

Although it bears no historical or archaeological value, the temple is promoted by the locals and tourist agencies as a shrine related to Ravana and Seetha (Sita), two mythical figures that appear in the Indian epic Ramayanaya. According to them, this temple site is the place where Seetha was held captive by Ravana. However, Ramayanaya is presently dismissed as a myth by Sri Lankan academics (JRASSL, 2014).

Attribution

1) Seetha Amman Temple Seetha Eliya by Buddhika.jm is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

References

1) Abeywardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka.  p. 221.

2) Goonatilake, S., 2010. Introduction: Inventing Archaeology: The Tourist Board's "Ramayana Trail"

3) JRASSL, 2014. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka New Series, Vol. 59, No. 2, Special Issue on the Ramayana (2014). https://www.jstor.org/stable/i40203619. pp.1-112.

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Keheliya Raja Maha Viharaya

Keheliya Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple located in Neluwagala Grama Niladari Division in Monaragala District, Sri Lanka.

History

It is believed that this temple was erected during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (307-267 B.C.). The temple consists of a Stupa mound, a ruined image house, and stone columns of two ruined buildings. Also, several inscriptions have been found in the temple premises.

A protected site

The old Stupa of the Viharaya is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government gazette notification published on 22 November 2002. The entire temple premises is an archaeological reserve.

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References

1) Final Report of Uma-Oya Multipurpose Development Project. November 2010. p. 185.
2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no: 1264. 22 November 2002.

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Kanabisopokuna Raja Maha Viharaya

Kanabisopokuna Raja Maha Viharaya, also known as Kanabisawaramaya Purana Viharaya (Sinhala: කණබිසෝපොකුණ විහාරය, කණබිසවාරාම විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Handapanagala village in Monaragala District Sri Lanka.

History

According to local belief, this temple has been erected during the reign of King Dutugemunu [(161-137 B.C.) Uma-oya, 2010].

Monuments

Although there are many ruins throughout the temple premises, the dilapidated Stupa mound, the ruins of the three ancient buildings, and the two caves near the southern embankment of the Handapanagala Reservoir can be identified as the main monuments. Most of them are still in a state of ruins. As the presence of a Yupa-stone, the Stupa of the temple can be assumed as a work that belongs to the early part of the Anuradhapura Period. However, it has been vandalized by the treasure hunters.

A protected site

The ancient Stupa and drip-ledged caves situated in the premises of Kanabio Pokuna Vihara in Handapanagala village in the Divisional Secretary’s Division of Wellawatta are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government gazette notification published on 22 November 2002.

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References

1) Uma-oya, 2010. Final Report of Uma-Oya Multipurpose Development Project. November 2010. pp. 185-186.

2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no: 1264. 22 November 2002.

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Duwili Ella Falls

Duwili Ella Falls  (also known as Walawe Ganga East Falls) is a waterfall located in Kalthota, Sri Lanka. The fall is about 40 metre-tall and formed by the Walawe Ganga river. The name Duwili is derived from Sinhalese language, which means-the dust or spray.

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