|
The Stupa and the drip-ledged cave |
Aluthepola Ganekanda Purana Viharaya, also known as Aluthepola Pansala (Sinhala: අළුතෑපොල ගණේකන්ද පුරාණ විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Aluthepola village near Divulapitiya in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.
History
The temple is thought to have come into existence during the latter part of the 18th century (Piyarathana, 2013). However, locals link the history of this site to the time of King Valagamba (103, 89-77 B.C.) of Anuradhapura (Ratnayaka, 2022). The existence of a drip-ledged cave in the temple premises also indicates that this site has a hidden root extending to a very early period, probably to the Anuradhapura Period. Several structures and artefacts belonging to the Dambadeniya Period are identifiable around the temple premises (Ratnayaka, 2022). The Sandakada Pahana and the stone Dolosmaha Pahana (lamp of 12 months) are also considered important artefacts preserved in the temple (Ratnayaka, 2022).
The arches, doors, windows and air outlets of the monks' dwelling show architectural features of Dutch origin (Ratnayaka, 2022). An old manuscript preserved in the temple gives an account of the lands donated to the temple by a Dutch officer in 1796. Many development processes were carried out in the temple after 1960 (Ratnayaka, 2022).
A Protected Site
The old survey tower located in the temple premises of Ganekanda Vihara in Aluthepola village in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Divulapitiya is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government Gazette notification published on 22 November 2002.
|
Modern murals in the image house |
Related Posts
Read Also
References
Books, Journal Articles, Government Gazette Notifications
1) Piyarathana, L., 2013. A
bibliographical survey of the palm leaf manuscripts in Ridiviharaya in
Kurunegala District & Aluthepola Ganekanda temple, Gampaha District.
2) Ratnayaka, U. H. S., 2022. Gampaha urumaya narambamu (In Sinhala). Central Cultural Fund. ISBN: 978-955-613-313-4. pp.7-8.
3) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no: 1264, 22 November 2002.