Ambagasdowa Ambalama (Photo credit: Google Street View)
Ambagasdowa Ambalama (Sinhala: අඹගස්දෝව අම්බලම) is an old wayside rest situated in Ambagasdova village near Welimada town in Badulla District, Sri Lanka.
Ambalama
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.
Although the exact history of Ambagasdowa Ambalama is not known, locals believe it is a structure erected about 300 years ago. It is supposed that this Ambalama was built to relieve the fatigue of passengers travelling on this route during the Kandyan Period.
The structure
Built on the edge of a paddy field, the Ambagasdowa Ambalama is a small and simple square-shaped structure. The roof which is supported by four roughly cut stone pillars is covered with semi-cylindrical clay tiles (Sinhala-Ulu).
Nearby there is a small Buddha shrine and a Bodhi tree which are revered by the local people.
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This page was last updated on 11 June 2023
