Buddhism and Sri Lanka

According to Sri Lankan chronicles, Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C. by Arhant Mahinda, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa.

Sri Lankan Inscriptions

The earliest trace of epigraphy in South Asia is said to be found in Sri Lanka. A piece of pottery, dated to circa the 4th century B.C. has been discovered from the Anuradhapura citadel.

Architecture of Sri Lanka

The architecture of Sri lanka has a long history and shows diversed forms and styles, mainly infuenced by their religions and traditional beliefs.

Sri Lankan Antiquities

Inherited from the past, Sri Lanka has a large number of antiques with cultural and historical significance which reflects the glory of past era.

Visit Sri Lanka

Located in the northern waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is an island blessed with a large number of attractons which has made the country an ideal destination for the tourism.

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Mahakanadarawa Stone Bridge

Mahakanadarawa Stone Bridge (Sinhala: මහකනදරාව පැරණි ගල් පාළම) is an ancient bridge located near Mahakanadarawa Wewa in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.

History
This bridge is believed to have been erected at the same time as Mahakanadarawa Wewa built by King Mahasena (276-303 A.D.). The ancient road that was running from Anuradhapura to the north of the country would have lain over this bridge.

The bridge
The bridge is 78 ft. long and 8.5 ft. wide and made of smoothened rock slabs.

See also
# Malwathu Oya Stone Bridge

Location Map

This page was last updated on 2 January 2023

Monday, 29 November 2021

Ancient City of Dambadeniya

Ancient City of Dambadeniya
The Ruins of the Ancient City of Dambadeniya are found scattered in and around the Dambadeniya Maliga Gala area in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka.

History
Polonnaruwa Kingdom (1056-1236 A.D.), the second kingdom of Sri Lanka was abandoned in the 13th century mainly due to its susceptibility to invasions from South India. Also, the struggles to grab the power of the throne among the rulers who came after King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 A.D.) had already put the country's political environment into an unstable state (Dias et al., 2016). Magha (1215–1236 A.D.) of Kalinga (India) who came with a large army from Malabar (Kerala) easily invaded Sri Lanka during this period and as a result of that, Polonnaruwa was collapsed and Dambadeniya became the new and the third kingdom of the country (Dias et al., 2016; Sudharmawathie, 2008).

King Vijayabahu III (1232-1236 A.D.) was the first king who chose Dambadeniya as the new capital. 

Monuments
Dambadeniya Maliga Gala Palace ruins
Maliga Gala mountain (or Jambudoni mountain) is considered the site where the royal palace of Dambadeniya erected by King Vijayabahu III was located. According to chronicles such as Culavamsa, the king built a new city on the summit of the Jambudoni mountain consisting of fine walls and gate towers (de Silva, 1990). The details given in the Dambadeni Asna reveal that there were two parts in the capital: the inner city and the outer city (de Silva, 1990). The inner city where the main buildings of the kingdom were located such as the Palace Complex and the Temple of the Tooth is said to be protected with an 18-cubit tall wall (de Silva, 1990). The outer city had three boundary walls built of stone, clay, and timber (de Silva, 1990). The remains of the clay (earth) wall are still visible at the site.

Dambadeniya three ponds
The ruins of the palace building are seen on the western part of the Maliga Gala rock summit (Anuradha & Kumari, 2015). It has been identified as a building with an inner compound and the remains of old channels that had been used to remove the accumulating rainwater in the compound are still visible (Anuradha & Kumari, 2015). 
 
Three ponds named Ura Pokuna, Mavee Pokuna and Ratmal Pokuna are found on the summit of the rock.
 
Sri Vijayasundararama Viharaya
King Vijayabahu III (1232-1236 A.D.) built Vijayasundararama Viharaya as the main temple of the kingdom and started an academy similar to Maha Viharaya and Abhayagiriya in Anuradhapura. The next ruler, King Parakramabahu II (1236-1270 A.D.) had constructed two temples for the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha on the summit of the Maliga Gala and on the premises of Vijayasundararama temple. The temple built at the Maliga Gala was the permanent house for the Tooth Relic and the other at Vijayasundararamaya was used mainly for the relic expositions (Seneviratna, 1987).
 
Waduwa Ketu Gala
The mountain known as Waduwa Ketu Gala (or Mapa Gedara Gala) is said to be the site where the abodes of the people of Adhikarana Senevirath Mapa were located (Anuradha & Kumari, 2015). According to another view, this site has been used during the Dambadeniya period to detain prisoners. Ruins of some buildings, ponds, and a rock-cut flight of steps can be seen scattered over the mountain.

Ancient tank
Part of an old bund of a breached tank has been found on a site located between the Maliga Gala and Mapa Gedara Gala mountains (Anuradha & Kumari, 2015). This tank is believed to have been used by King Parakramabahu II for his war and defence activities (Anuradha & Kumari, 2015).

Ancient City of Dambadeniya Ancient City of Dambadeniya .
See also

References
1) Anuradha, R.K.S.; Kumari, A.S., 2015. Pauranika Sthana Saha Smaraka: Kurunegala Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). ISBN: 955-9159-37-2. pp.22-23,27-29.
2) de Silva, N., 1990. Sri Lankan architecture during the period 1200-1500 A.D. Wijesekara, N. (Editor in chief). Archaeological Department centenary (1890-1990): Commemorative series: Volume III: Architecture. Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). pp.76-77.
3) Dias, M.; Koralage, S.B.; Asanga, K., 2016. The archaeological heritage of Jaffna peninsula. Department of Archaeology. Colombo. p.178.
4) Seneviratna, A., 1987. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: An Architectural History of the Daḷadā Māligāwa, the Symbol of Buddhist Faith and Sovereignty in Sri Lanka. Government of Sri Lanka. p.59.
5) Sudharmawathie, J.M., 2008. Historical significance of the kingdom of Dambadeniya, Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2008, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya. p.105.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 30 June 2022

Sunday, 28 November 2021

Weligama Sri Sumangala Thera

Ven Weligama Sri Sumangala Thera (1825-1905) was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and an oriental scholar.

Life events
He was born in 1825 to a respectful family at Weligama in Matara District (Carus, 1905; Paranavitana, 1983). At twelve years of age, he entered the Buddhist order and completed his education at Ven. Bentara Attadassi Thera, one of the most famous Sanskrit scholars at the time (Carus, 1905; Paranavitana, 1983).

Sumangala Thera, in a short period, became a recognized Sanskrit scholar. He wrote several commentaries on Sanskrit grammar and his work Mugdhabodha Vyakhana comprising 700 pages was printed by the Government of Ceylon in 1897 (Paranavitana, 1983). He has been consulted as an authority in Sinhala, Pali, and Sanskrit by scholars from the West as well as from the East (Carus, 1905). He also pioneered in establishment of the Saugathodaya Vidyalaya at Rankoth Viharaya (Paranavitana, 1983). Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904) the author of the famous work "Light of Asia" and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907), an American who played a major role in the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka were among his close associates (Paranavitana, 1983).

Sumangala Thera belonged to the Amarapura sect of Buddhist monks. In 1894 he was elected as its Maha Nayaka Thera (the Chief High Priest) and further honoured by the conferment of the title "Sasana Vamsalankara".

Sumangala Thera passed away on 13 March 1905 (Carus, 1905).

Publications
# Hitopadesa Padartha Vyakhyanaya
# Upadesa Vinischaya
# Siddhanta Sekharaya (Mugdhabodha Vyakhana) (1897)

References
1) Carus, P., 1905. The Open Court, Volume 19. Open Court Publishing Company. p.510.
2) Paranavitana, K.D., 1983. Scholar monks of the nineteenth century and the tragic transformation of the high priest Ven. Kapugama Dhammakkhanda Thero. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka Branch, 28, pp.123-164.


Disclaimer
By accessing this website, we hope that you are accepting the following disclaimer notice.
The information published in this biography has been extracted from reliable sources but we, Lanka Pradeepa (lankapradeepa.com) assume no responsibility or liability for any inaccurate or outdated content on this page.
This page was last updated on 17 January 2023

Saturday, 27 November 2021

Torawa Mailewa Viharaya

Torawa Mailewa Viharaya (ancient Tisssa Pabbata Viharaya) is a Buddhist temple situated in Thorava village in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka.

History
The history of this temple dates back to the 2nd century B.C., as evidenced by the drip-ledged caves with early-Brahmi inscriptions (Nicholas, 1963). Also, a rock inscription belonging to the reign of King Gajabahu I (114-136 A.D.) have been discovered from this site (Paranavitana, 2001). This inscription reveals the ancient name of this site as Tisa-pavata Viharaya [(Tissa Pabbata Viharaya) Paranavitana, 2001].
 
Ruins and inscriptions
There are several inscribed caves, ruins of two Stupas, a few ponds and some ancient stone works at the site (Nicholas, 1963; Paranavitana, 2001).
 
Brahmi inscriptions
A number of Brahmi cave inscriptions dating from 2nd century B.C. to 1st century A.D. have been discovered from the temple premises. Of them, Prof. Senarath Paranavitana has published about 8 early-Brahmi and 6 later-Brahmi inscriptions in his book issued in 1970 (Paranavitana, 1970).
 
Script: Early Brahmi                                                         Language: Old Sinhala
Transcript: Maharajaha panita-badagarika parumaka Shumanaha
Translation: [The cave] of the chief Sumana, officer in charge of the store-house of goods in deposits, of the great king.
Notes: It is possible that the name of the king was given at the begining of the record, but has now become illegible.
Citation: Paranavitana, 1970. p.81.

Rock inscription of Gajabahu
An inscription dated in the 4th regnal year of a king styled Gamani Abaya has been found indited on a rock near the modern temple. This monarch, according to scholars, is non other than King Gajabahu I (Paranavitana, 2001). The inscription records certain grants made to the old monastery that existed at this place (Nicholas, 1963; Paranavitana, 2001). 
 
Reign: Gajabahu I        Period: 2nd century A.D.        Script: Later Brahmi        Language: Old Sinhala 
Content: The inscription records certain donations made in the 4th regnal year of Gajabahu I by a person named Nakayi. He donated the tanks named Tisaviya, Ranaviya, and Dalamaviya with paddy fields yielding 8 karisas (32 amunas) and 1,000 pieces of money obtained from Minister Maha Anulayi to the monastery named Tisapavata. One (half) share of that donation to the Stupa and one (half) to the community of monks were given.
Reference: Paranavitana, 2001.

References
1) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). p.93.
2) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscriptions of Ceylon: Volume I: Early Brahmi Inscriptions. Department of Archaeology Ceylon. pp.81,99.
3)  Paranavitana, S., 2001 (Edited by Dias, M.). Inscriptions of Ceylon: Vol. II. Part II. Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka. p.210.
 
Location Map
This page was last updated on 3 June 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Friday, 26 November 2021

Kempitikanda Tempita Viharaya

Kempitikanda Tempita Viharaya, also known as Sri Bodhirukkharama Purana Tempita Viharaya (Sinhala: කෙම්පිටිකන්ද බෝධිරුක්ඛාරාම ටැම්පිට විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Kempitikanda village in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka.

History
The temple is said to have been established in the 1740s (De Silva & Chandrasekara, 2009; Silva & Chandrasekara, 2021).

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. The walls are usually made of wattle and daub and they 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. The construction of these buildings started in the 17th century and lasted until the end of the 19th century (Wijayawardhana, 2010).

Kempitikanda Tempita Viharaya
The Tempita Viharaya is the main monument of this temple with an archaeological value. It is an image house that measures 6.1 m by 4.2 m and has been built upon 8 stone pillars about 0.9 m tall (De Silva & Chandrasekara, 2009; Wijayawardhana, 2010). The image house can be accessed through a flight of steps and a narrow ambulatory with a wooden railing runs around it. The roof rests on the wall as well as 11 wooden columns (De Silva & Chandrasekara, 2009). 

Two guards carrying swards can be seen on either side of the entrance of the front wall. The main sculpture in the image house is a seated Buddha statue accompanied by two standing Buddha statues facing each other on both left and right walls. The inner walls and ceiling of the shrine have been decorated with paintings depicting Buddhist themes. However, the paintings have lost their original form due to later renovations

A protected site
The Tampita image house (image house on stone piles) in the Kempitikanda Bodhirukkarama Purana Vihara Premises situated in the Digana Kanda Grama Niladhari Division in the Rambukkana Divisional Secretary’s Division is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government notification published on 24 July 2009.

References
1) De Silva, N.; Chandrasekara, D.P., 2009. Heritage Buildings of Sri Lanka. Colombo: The National Trust Sri Lanka, ISBN: 978-955-0093-01-4. p.24.
2) Silva, K.D. and Chandrasekara, D.P., 2021. The Tämpiṭavihāras of Sri Lanka: Elevated Image-Houses in Buddhist Architecture. Anthem Press. pp.132-133.
3) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1612. 24 July 2009. p.1021.
4) Wijayawardhana, K., 2010. Sri Lankawe Tampita Vihara (In Sinhala). Dayawansa Jayakody & Company. Colombo. ISBN: 978-955-551-752-2. p.12,95-98.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 3 July 2022

Thursday, 25 November 2021

Thalpe Beach Pools

Thalpe Beach
Thalpe Beach is a popular shoreline in Talpe in Galle District, Sri Lanka. 

The beach is popular among the locals as well as foreigners for its large natural swimming pool and other small rectangular-shaped artificial pools. As per the details of locals, these artificial pools have been cut out of the corals to be used to soak coconut husks in order to separate the coconut coir. However, presently they are used as bathing ponds.

Common bathing, recreational, and parking facilities are available in the vicinity area. As it is enclosed by a reef, the surrounding sea is shallow.
Thalpe Beach .
Location Map
This page was last updated on 28 November 2021
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Koggala Beach Park

Koggala Beach Park
Koggala Beach Park (Sinhala: කොග්ගල නිදහස් වෙරළ තීරය) is a popular shoreline in Koggala in Galle District, Sri Lanka. Opened to the public in 2007, the site is presently maintained by the Habaraduwa Divisional Secretariat.

The beach is popular among the locals as well as foreigners as a place to relax by feeling the sea breeze or watching the sunset. Common bathing, eating, playing, and parking facilities are available in the vicinity area. As it is enclosed by a small reef, the surrounding sea is shallow. The beach is also one of the few places in the country to watch Stilt Fishing.

Koggala Beach Park Koggala Beach Park .
Location Map
This page was last updated on 6 May 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya

Not to be confused with Kathaluwa Ranwella and Giniwella Vihara

Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya
Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya is a Buddhist temple situated in Kathaluwa village in Galle District, Sri Lanka. 

History
Locals link the history of this temple to the Anuradhapura Period (Ranchagoda, 2015). It is believed that one of the 32 saplings of Sri Maha Bodhi Tree has been planted here (Ranchagoda, 2015). However, available evidence suggests that this temple was constructed in 1840 by Kathaluwe Gunarathana Thera (Abeyawardana, 2004).

The temple
The temple consists of two terraces; the upper terrace and the lower terrace. The Stupa, image house, Bodhi tree, belfry and library is located on the upper terrace while the monks' dwelling is built on the lower terrace. 

The image house
Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya
The Poorwarama temple is popular among visitors for its valuable murals housed in the image house (Ranchagoda, 2015). Although the year 1886 A.D. is mentioned above the entrance door to the image house, the technique and the details in the paintings inside indicate that they have been executed much earlier than 1886 (Abeyawardana, 2004).

The image house has been constructed on an elevated platform of about 1 m high (De Silva & Chandrasekara, 2009). The walls are of Kabok (laterite) and plastered with lime mortar (De Silva & Chandrasekara, 2009). It consists of an inner chamber, a middle chamber and an outer chamber. Seven doorways, two each on three walls and one on the front wall provide access to the outer chamber. The British crest with a portrait of Queen Victoria (1837-1901 A.D.) and the year 1886 A.D. is found painted over the main entrance to the image house. This year may indicate the date of an addition or alteration made to the original image house (Abeyawardana, 2004). 

Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya
A large reclining Buddha displaying the features of the Kandyan style is found inside the inner chamber. On the sidewalls of this statue are two Buddha statues in the standing and seated positions, facing each other. The figures of Sariputta (left) and Moggallana (right), the two chief disciples of Gautama Buddha, are not found beside the Buddha statues of this image house. The figures of Arhats carrying flowers have been drawn across the back walls of these statues. The two entrances that provide access to the inner chamber have the British crest painted above and are set within the traditional Makara Thorana (the dragon arch). The walls of the middle chamber are adorned with paintings depicting the life events of the Buddha (Abeyawardana, 2004). Paintings and sculptures showing the Suvisi Vivaranaya (Buddha to be receiving the blessing from 24 previous Buddhas), Jataka stories are found on the walls of the outer chamber. The statues of 24 Buddhas have been mounted in line and are enclosed within a large glazed polished timber cabinet spanning three sidewalls (except the front wall)  of the outer chamber.

Foreign elements are largely found in the paintings of this image house when compared with the other temple paintings in the region. Colonial style dresses, shoes, sunglasses, lamps, bottles, wine in stemmed glasses, horse carriages, jewellery, guns, and British flags are noticeable among the details of the paintings depicting traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist themes. Some are of the opinion that the paintings of this image house display two distinctive styles (Abeyawardana, 2004; De Silva & Chandrasekara, 2009). However, according to others, such as Abeyawardana, the style is the same but may have been executed by two artists who belonged to the same guild of painters known as Kadolgalla Sittara [(descendants of Kadolgalla painters) Abeyawardana, 2004; Ranchagoda, 2015].

Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya
.
References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Ruhuna: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-575-073-4. pp.35-36.
2) De Silva, N.; Chandrasekara, D.P., 2009. Heritage Buildings of Sri Lanka. Colombo: The National Trust Sri Lanka, ISBN: 978-955-0093-01-4. p.65.
3) Ranchagoda, T. O., 2015. Pauranika Sthana Ha Smaraka: Galla Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. ISBN:955-9159-53-4. pp.30-32.
 
Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2023

Monday, 22 November 2021

Kathaluwa Ranwella and Giniwella Vihara

Not to be confused with Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya

Ranwella  Viharaya image house
Ranwella Purana Viharaya and Giniwella Nawamuni Se Purana Viharaya (Sinhala: කතළුව රන්වැල්ල පුරාණ විහාරය, ගිනිවැල්ල නවමුණි සෑ පුරාණ විහාරය) are two Buddhist temples situated in Kathaluwa village in Galle District, Sri Lanka. The two temples are located adjacent to each other and divided by a fence. Both temples share the same Stupa and Bodhi tree.

History
Although there are two temples at the site today, initially there was only one temple, established around 1820. However, due to some issues that arose between two Buddhist sects, Amarapura Nikaya and Siyam Nikaya, it was divided into two temples namely, Ranwella Viharaya and Giniwella Viharaya.

Lankopakaraya Printing Press
Lankopakaraya Printing Press
The printing machine that was used for the oldest and first Sinhala Buddhist printing press in Sri Lanka named Lankopakaraya is presently preserved in the Ranwella temple premises. The machine was donated by Mongkut, the King of Siam (present Thailand) from 1851 to 1868, to Bulathgama Dhammalankara Siri Sumanatissa Nayaka Thera, the chief incumbent of Paramananda Viharaya at Galle and Ranawella Viharaya at Kathaluwa in 1862. The king is said to have purchased it from London for the purpose of promoting the publication of literary works relating to Buddhism (Abeyawardana, 2004).

The machine was used to print the first Sinhala Buddhist publication in the country, Lankalokaya. It was also used to print numerous Buddhist texts and manuscripts during the colonial period and hence played an instrumental role in the Sri Lankan Buddhist revival in the 19th century.

The press was damaged by a fire that occurred in 2012. It was restored in 2020 with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Thailand and Sri Lanka.

The temple
The image house
Kathaluwa Ranwella Viharaya
The Ranwella temple is popular for its valuable murals housed in the octagonal image house constructed on 13 November 1888. It has been erected on an elevated platform of about 1 m high and the doors and windows of it have Gothic features as those in the Christian churches.

A large Buddha statue in Samadhi position is found inside the image house. The walls are adorned with paintings depicting the life events of the Buddha, Jataka stories, and hells. Of the paintings, the one showing the Buddha's coffin and cremation of it on an open-air pyre is considered special as it is not found in other temples in the country. The murals display Kandyan art influence together with maritime features.

The image house was renovated in 2014 with the contribution of funds from the Prince Claus Fund of the Netherlands.

The Stupa
The Stupa
The Stupa of the Giniwella temple is called Nawamuni Seya as it is surrounded by nine escort Stupas. As mentioned in the stone plaque that is fixed onto the base wall of the Stupa, the wife of Amarasekara of Kathaluwa village with the assistance of others has finished the works of this monument between the period 1841-1845.




Ranwella  Viharaya image house Ranwella  Viharaya image house .
See also

References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Ruhuna: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-575-073-4. p.36.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 5 July 2022

Sunday, 21 November 2021

Korasagalla Koranaka Sandagala Viharaya

Korasagalla Koranaka Sandagala Viharaya
Koranaka Sandagala Viharaya (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Koranaka Sandagala Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: කොරසගල්ල කොරණක සඳගල රජමහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Korasagalla village in Kekirawa in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.

History
Locals link the history of this temple to the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (247-207 A.D.) and Kavantissa (205-161 B.C.), the Prince of Rohana. It is also said that when King Dutugemunu (161-131 B.C.) was bitten by a cobra, he was treated by a venom specialist from the village where the present temple is located. The name of the temple, according to locals, has come into parlance after an Arhat named Korana resided in this temple.

As the presence of a Tempita Vihara building (the temples on pillars), the history of this temple can be certainly traced back to the Kandyan Period.

Tempita Viharaya 
Tempita Viharas 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. The walls are usually made of wattle and daub and they 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. The construction of these buildings was started in the 17th century and lasted until the end of the 19th century (Wijayawardhana, 2010).

A protected site
The Tempita Viharaya in the Koranaka Sandagala Vihara premises situated in the Grama Niladhari Division Korassagalle, in Kekirawa Divisional Secretary’s Division is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government gazette notification published on 6 June 2008.

References
1)  The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1553. 6 June 2008. p.534.
2) Wijayawardhana, K., 2010. Sri Lankawe Tampita Vihara (In Sinhala). Dayawansa Jayakody & Company. Colombo. ISBN: 978-955-551-752-2. p.12.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 5 July 2022

Saturday, 20 November 2021

Wegowwa Ambalama

Wegowwa Ambalama
Wegowwa Ambalama (Photo credit: Google Street View)

The Wegowwa Ambalama (Sinhala: වෑගොව්ව අම්බලම) is an old wayside rest situated in Minuwangoda in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Wegowwa Ambalama is a cross-shaped brick and mortar structure with a single room and three small open halls. The roof is covered with semi-cylindrical clay tiles known as Sinhala-Ulu

Location Map
This page was last updated on 26 December 2023

Bulugahagoda Ambalama

Bulugahagoda Ambalama
Bulugahagoda Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

Bulugahagoda Ambalama is an old wayside rest situated in Bulugahagoda in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Bulugahagoda Ambalama is a rectangular-shaped brick and mortar structure with 4 square pillars holding the roof. The roof is covered with calicut clay tiles. A short wall is built around the building with a wooden gate at the front. 

Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Friday, 19 November 2021

Bogamuwa Ambalama

Bogamuwa Ambalama
Bogamuwa Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Bogamuwa Ambalama is an old wayside rest situated in Bogamuwa village in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Bogamuwa Ambalama is a rectangular structure with 12 square pillars holding the roof. The roof is covered with calicut clay tiles.
 
Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Narampanawa Ambalama

Narampanawa Ambalama
Narampanawa Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Narampanawa Ambalama is an old wayside rest situated in Narampanawa village in Kandy District, Sri Lanka.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Narampanawa Ambalama is a square-shaped brick and mortar structure with 4 pillars holding the roof. The roof is covered with semi-cylindrical clay tiles known as Sinhala Ulu. The short wall that connects the pillars serves as a bench.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Arambepola Ambalama

Arambepola Ambalama
Arambepola Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Arambepola Ambalama is an old wayside rest situated in Arambepola in Kandy District, Sri Lanka.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Arambepola Ambalama is a square-shaped structure with 4 pillars holding the roof. The roof is covered with calicut clay tiles.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Getakulama Ambalama

Getakulama Ambalama
Getakulama Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Getakulama Ambalama is an old wayside rest situated in Rikillagaskada in Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country. The Ambalama at Getakulama is one such place that is believed to be more than 150 years old (Wijesinghe, 2015).

The structure
The Getakulama Ambalama is a rectangular structure with 4 pillars holding the roof. The roof is covered with semi-cylindrical clay tiles known as Sinhala Ulu.

References
1) Wijesinghe, T.K., 2015. Pauranika Sthana Saha Smaraka: Nuwara Eliya Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). ISBN: 955-9159-36-4. pp.15-16.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Wednesday, 17 November 2021

Santhaiyar Madam (Ambalama)

Santhaiyar Madam
Santhaiyar Madam (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Santhaiyar Madam is an Ambalama (an old wayside rest) situated in Manipay in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The Ambalama
A dilapidated shelter, a large rectangular well with a slope towards its bottom and a few short pillars (Aavurancikal) are found at this Santhaiyar Madam.

Ambalamas in Jaffna have unique features
Ambalama in the Jaffna Peninsula is called Madam and it is generally different from similar structures in other parts of the country. It consists of five components given below (Ragupathy, 1987);
1) Madam: the Ambalama itself
2) Sumaithangi: a stone platform used to keep the goods carried on the head, shoulder or waist of the traveller. Traditionally, the stone is said to be erected as a symbol of prayer, vowing for the soul of a mother who dies pregnant to rest in peace.
3) Aavuranchikkal: a stone erected for the cattle to relieve themselves from an itch called Thinavu by rubbing against the stone. It was constructed by means of a single stone with a height of 3 or 4 feet.
4) Keni: a big well meant for the cattle to quench their thirst.
5) Kinaru: a well constructed to quench their thirst of both people and cattle.
 

References
1) Ragupathy, P. 1987. Early settlements in Jaffna, An archaeological survey. Published by Mrs. Thilimalar Ragupathy. Madras. p.156.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 12 March 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Mahawatta Ambalama

Mahawatta Ambalama
Mahawatta Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Mahawatta Ambalama (Sinhala: මහවත්ත අම්බලම) is an old wayside rest situated on the Algama-Horagasmankada road in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Mahawatta Ambalama is made of bricks and mortar. It is a rectangular structure with 7 square pillars and 2 cylindrical pillars holding the roof. The roof is covered with calicut clay tiles.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 26 December 2022

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Ahugammana Ambalama

Ahugammana Ambalama
Ahugammana Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Ahugammana Ambalama is an old wayside rest situated in Ahugammana village in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. It is located about 1.7 km inland from Guruge Viharaya junction on the Belummahara-Kaduwela road.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Ahugammana Ambalama is made of bricks and mortar. It is a rectangular structure with 9 pillars holding the roof. The roof is covered with calicut clay tiles.
 
Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Daranagama Ambalama

Daranagama Ambalama
Daranagama Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Daranagama Ambalama is an old wayside rest situated in Daranagama in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. It is located about 330 m inland from Daranagama junction on the Belummahara-Kaduwela road.

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Daranagama Ambalama is made of stones and mortar. It is a square-shaped structure with a roof made of 8 beams attached to the canopy. Three sides of the building are fully covered by the walls while the front side is opened to the road. The roof is covered with calicut clay tiles.
 
Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Monday, 15 November 2021

Dehalkada Ambalama

Dehalkada Ambalama
Dehalkada Ambalama (Photo credit: Google street view)

The Dehalkada Ambalama is an old wayside rest situated in Marassana village in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. 

History
Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure
The Dehalkada Ambalama is made of stones and mortar. The design of this structure is uncommon as the wall of the four corners of it has been built to give a shape of a triangle.
 
Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map

Vallipuram Alvar Vishnu Kovil

Vallipuram Alvar Vishnu Kovil
Vallipuram Alvar Visnu Kovil (Sinhala: වල්ලිපුරම් කෝවිල; Tamil: மவல்லிபுரம் கோயில்) is a Hindu shrine situated in Vallipuram village in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka.

History
Remains of an ancient Buddhist site
The famous gold sheet known as Vallipuram Ran Sannasa was discovered in 1936 beneath the foundation of an ancient structure on a land adjacent to the present Vallipuram Vishnu temple (Dias et al., 2016; Medhananda, 2003; Paranavitana, 1983). It records the construction of a Buddhist Viharaya at a place called Badakara Atana by a person named Piyaguka Tissa, when the minister Isigiraya was the Governor of Nagadipa, during the reign of King Vasabha [(67-111 A.D.) Dias et al., 2016; Medhananda, 2003; Paranavitana, 1983]. The plate is presently preserved in the Anuradhapura Gallery of Colombo National Museum.

Besides the gold sheet, other ruins such as some funerary urns, bricks, pottery, coins and a Buddha statue of stone in the Amaravati style were discovered at the site (Veluppillai, 1981). The 2.5 m tall Buddha statue remained in a lumber room of this Hindu temple until J. P. Lewis (the Government Agent for the Northern Province in 1903-1904) obtained it from the caretaker priest and installed under a Bodhi tree located in the Jaffna Old Park in 1902 (Schalk, 1996). In 1906, the statue was presented by Governor Sir Henry Blake to the King of Siam (present Thailand), who was particularly anxious to have it (Schalk, 1996). The statue is now preserved in a Buddhist Vihara (Wat Benchamabophit, which is known by tourists as "the Marble Temple) in Bangkok in Thailand (Dias et al., 2016; Schalk, 1996). A replica of this statue is also being displayed at the National Museum of Colombo.

Folklore
According to Hindu mythology which is usually based on their traditional mystic emotions and religious literary works, the history of this temple is related to a pious lady named Lavalli Ammaiyar who had been afflicted with a curse and was hence unable to have children (Wijebandara, 2014). As the folklore, Ammaiyar was advised to go to this place and perform certain rituals (Wijebandara, 2014). One day when a fisherman of the village caught a large fish, it had suddenly jumped into the arms of Ammaiyar and turned into the shape of an infant looking like the God Vishnu (Wijebandara, 2014). Then the infant vanished and appeared again as an old soothsayer and gave to the people a Vishnu Cakkaram [(a symbol of God Vishnu) Wijebandara, 2014]. It is said that, this Cakkaram was enshrined by the people at the present Hindu shine (Wijebandara, 2014).

Attribution
1) PA212890 and PA212883 by Ghostface Buddha is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

References
1) Dias, M.; Koralage, S.B.; Asanga, K., 2016. The archaeological heritage of Jaffna peninsula. Department of Archaeology. Colombo. pp.166-167, 204-205.
2) Medhananda, Ven. Ellawala, 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.421-425,520.
3) Paranavitana, S., 1983. Vallipuram Gold Sheet Inscription. Inscriptions of Ceylon, Late Brahmi Inscriptions, 2 (part 1). Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka. pp.79-81.
4) Schalk, P., 1996. The Vallipuram Buddha Image" Rediscovered". Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis, 16, pp.295-312.
5) Veluppillai, A., 1981. Tamils in Ancient Jaffna and Vallipuram Gold Plate. Journal of Tamil Studies, 19, pp.1-14
6) Wijebandara, I.D.M., 2014. Yapanaye Aithihasika Urumaya (In Sinhala). Published by the editor. ISBN-978-955-9159-95-7. pp.125-127.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 2 January 2023

Sunday, 14 November 2021

Jaffna Clock Tower

Jaffna Clock Tower
The Jaffna Clock Tower (Sinhala: යාපනය ඔරලෝසු කණුව; Tamil: யாழ்ப்பாணம் மணிக்கூட்டுக் கோபுரம்) is located in the middle of Jaffna town, Sri Lanka.

History
The clock tower was built to commemorate the visit of  Albert Edward, Prince of Wales to Sri Lanka in in 1875 and perhaps also Sir James Longden's administration of the island from 1877 to 1884 (Martyn, 2003; Wijebandara, 2014). The tower was designed by James Smither, the Government architect and the clock was gifted by Longden (Martyn, 2003; Wijebandara, 2014). The cost for the tower was met partly by the balance of the Jaffna Prince of Wales' Reception Fund (Rs. 6000) and partly by further local contributions [(Rs. 4000) Martyn, 2003].

The tower had been partly damaged as a result of Sri Lankan civil war that occurred between the Government forces and LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), a militant group designated as a terrorist organization by a number of countries including Sri Lanka, India, the USA and the EU. Charles, Prince of Wales who visited Sri Lanka in 1998 offered assistance in restoring the damaged tower (Wijebandara, 2014).
 
Attribution
1) Clock tower, Jaffna by AntanO is licensed under CC BY SA 3.0

References
1) Martyn, J.H., 2003. Martyn's Notes on Jaffna: Chronological, Historical, Biographical. Asian Educational Services. pp.260-261.
2) Wijebandara, I.D.M., 2014. Yapanaye Aithihasika Urumaya (In Sinhala). Published by the editor. ISBN-978-955-9159-95-7. p.114.

Location Map
This page was last updated on 27 July 2022