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Bambaragala Raja Maha Viharaya – cave temple with serene vistas By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated in the village of Henagahawela in Teldeniya, Kandy, Bambaragala Rajamaha Viharaya is a cave temple situated at the summit of a rock surrounded by spectacular views of Victoria Reservoir and Knuckles Mountain Range. History of the temple dates to pre-Christian era and the caves had been donated to Maha Sangha (Buddhist monks). According to *Professor Senarath Paranavitana, the inscription in *Brahmi script refers to the gifting of this cave by “Datta, the wife of the Pocani King”, Naga. According to the inscription: “The Cave Indrasala (meaning a hall for the community) – given for the monks”. During the past, these caves had been the abode of ascetic monks. At present, the second cave is used by novice monks as an extra accommodation. The majority of the current constructions had been carried out during King Keerthi Sri ...

Sep 11, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, cave temple, Knuckles Mountain Range, Senarath Paranavitana

Mysterious Halaba Bridge in Badulla By Arundathie Abeysinghe This spectacular mysterious steel bridge is located across Uma Oya at Halaba, a small village located near Uma Oya (Oya meaning stream in Sinhala) in *Badulla in close proximity to breathtaking hamlet*Ella. It is 113 meters (372 feet) long. The bridge is built at the widest points of Uma Oya, approximately 91 meters (300 feet) wide and 7-12 meters (25-40 feet) deep. The two ends of the Bridge are approximately three meters wide (10 feet) and the mid portion is approximately two meters (8 feet) wide. The Bridge is considered as a mysterious bridge as there are no roads (there had never been any roads even in the past) except a footpath on either side of the bridge. This bridge had been installed by British during the British Colonial Era, but the reason for installing this bridge is not known. According ...

Sep 2, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Badulla, Badulla District, Bogoda Wooden Bridge, Chilaw, Ella, Halaba Bridge, Hali ela, Kandy, Maha Kumbura, Uva Province

Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex – unique blend of nature and human creation By Arundathie Abeysinghe Engulfed in mist during early mornings and late evenings, a picture of surrealism, a precipitous drop and breathtaking vistas, Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex is an icon looming in the distance when viewed from *Gampola town… At the summit of the stupa, the landscape unfolds below until the white cloak of the veiled mist creeps surreptitiously engulfing the surroundings into oblivion similar to a picture postcard… Ambuluwawa Peak is situated in the center of former Gampola Kingdom approximately 25 kilometers from Kandy City on an area of 327 acres (approximately 132 hectares). It is a landmark of Gampola, former kingdom of King Bhuwanekabahu IV (1341-1357 AD) who ruled Gampola Kingdom. Gampola is entrenched in history and endowed with nature and biodiversity as well as a mild climate. Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex, the first multi-religious complex in Sri Lanka is ...

Aug 25, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Ambuluwawa, Arundathie Abeysinghe, Hantana Mountain Range, Pidurutalagala, Pirith, Uva Province

Nelligala International Buddhist Center by Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated approximately 700 meters above sea level on the summit of breathtaking Nelligala Mountain, Nelligala International Buddhist Center is visited by Buddhists as well as non Buddhists. Popularly known as Nelligala Temple, this recently built temple is well-maintained and has great architectural value. The peaceful and spectacular surroundings of the Temple with tall gold color Buddha Statues, a white dagoba (stupa) surrounded by gold color swans, a *Bodhi tree planted on a gold plated large urn are some of the prominent features of this temple. The Sacred Hair Relics of the Buddha are deposited in the Temple. A key feature of the Temple is gold color Buddha Statues which blend well with the blue sky and spectacular surroundings which render a breathtaking view. The main objective of the International Buddhist Center in the Temple is to provide a serene environment for devotees as ...

Aug 19, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Dhamma, Nelligala International Buddhist Center, Nirvana

Magul Maha Viharaya – venue of a historical event By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated in Lahugala in Ampara District, Magul Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist Temple linked to a historical event. The Temple is located on the northern edge of *Lahugala National Park. Magul Maha Viharaya (meaning “the Wedding Temple” in Sinhala) is an unusual name for a Buddhist Temple. According to legends, the premises of the Temple had also been the location where King Kavantissa (205-161 BC who ruled the Kingdom of *Ruhuna) had married brave *Princess Viharamahadevi, the daughter of King Kelanitissa of *Maya Rata. According to legends, the name of the Temple is linked with the Royal Wedding that had taken place in the premises of the Temple. According to scholars, the intricately carved poruwa (wedding altar) in the premises of the Temple is evidence that a Royal Wedding had taken place many centuries ago. This poruwa ...

Aug 12, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Ceylon, Magul Maha Viharaya, Maya Rata, Nirvana, Ruhunu Rata

Yudaganawa – largest stupa in the south and east of Sri Lanka By Arundathie Abeysinghe Yudaganawa Stupa popularly known as Kinkini Stupa is located in proximity to Buttala about 46 kilometers on the scenic *Ella – Wellawaya Road. This large stupa has a circumference of 317 meters and dates back to the second century BC. The stupa is built halfway and there is a small stupa on it. According to *Mahawamsa (ancient chronicle of Sri Lanka), there had been a battle between *Prince Dutugemunu and his brother *Prince Saddha Tissa after the death of their father *King Kavantissa (205-161 BC who ruled the Kingdom of *Ruhuna). According to folklore, this battle had taken place in the vicinity of Yudaganawa Temple. Prince Saddha Tissa has been in hiding in this temple in fear of his brother Prince Dutugemunu. Yudganawa also known as Yuddhaganawa (in Sanskrit means “Yuddha” for war and “gana” ...

Aug 5, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Ella - Wellawaya, largest stupa in the south, Prince Dutugemunu, Ruhunu Kingdom, Yudaganawa

Maha Maluwa (Great Terrace) – steeped in history and legend By Arundathie Abeysinghe Maha Maluwa (Great Terrace) is an open park area located in front of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, the most venerated Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka visited by hundreds of pilgrims as well as local and foreign tourists daily. Maha Maluwa is steeped in history and legend. Initially, Maha Maluwa was the threshing ground of a large paddy field (this paddy field was later converted as the Kandy Lake). According to folklore, when King Wimala Dharmasuriya I (reign 1592 – 1604) consulted astrologers to select a site for his capital, they advised him to select this threshing floor which was frequented by a Kiri Mugatiya (white mongoose – Ichneumia albicauda) as the site was considered a very auspicious place. During the Kandyan Kingdom, many historical and religious events have taken place at Maha Maluwa. ...

Jul 29, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Dalada Maligawa, Kandy Lake, Maha Maluwa

Rajagala – magnificence of Sri Lanka’s prehistoric era By Arundathie Abeysinghe Sri Lanka is a small island state in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), strategically located at the crossroads of major shipping routes to South Asia, the Far East as well as the continents of Europe and America. Located southeast of the Indian subcontinent with a total area of 65,610 square kilometers, this tiny island with its misty mountains, gushing waterfalls, rolling carpets of green tea, pristine beaches, wildlife parks as well as historic and prehistoric archaeological sites make Sri Lanka an attractive tourist destination for travelers all over the world. Located in Rajagalatenna in the Eastern Province, Rajagala (The Monarch’s Rock) or Rajagalatenna is a magnificent prehistoric site of immense archaeological value, yet, rarely visited by local and foreign tourists. Located 1,038 feet (approximately 316 meters) above sea level, Rajagala is situated in a sparsely populated area. Located ...

Jul 23, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arhat Mahinda, Arundathie Abeysinghe, Nirvana, Rajagala, Rakshas

Strategic significance of Trincomalee Harbor By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located on the East Coast of Sri Lanka, in *Trincomalee, approximately 350 kilometers north of the key East-West shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean, Trincomalee Port is formed by a large natural deep-water harbor, the fifth largest natural harbor as well as one of the finest natural harbors in the world. It is the most valuable asset of Sri Lanka. According to historical data in *Mahawamsa, the great Chronicle, Trincomalee Port had been first occupied in the 5th century and was known as “Gokanna”. Trincomalee Harbor has been a sea port from the period of ancient Sri Lankan Kings and has attracted sea farers such as Marco Polo and Ptolemy as well as Sea Traders from China and East Asia. As such, during early and medieval period, sailing ships had found a haven in Trincomalee Port. Situated on a peninsula in ...

Jul 15, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Ceylon, Indian Ocean, Mahawamsa, Trincomalee

Rajapihilla in Kandy – royal resplendence of yesteryear By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located about two kilometers away from Kandy City, Royal Bath (Rajapihilla in Sinhala) is the royal spout where Kandyan Kings (during the Kandyan Kingdom) have bathed whenever they wanted to bathe outside the premises of the Royal Palace. According to legends, King Weera Parakrama Narendrasinghe (1707 – 1739 AD, the last Sinhalese King of Sri Lanka) had ordered to build this open-air bath stone basin made of granite on a six-foot (approximately 1.8 meters) tall granite pillar. There are three spouts in the stone basin to let out water (from the basin). The water for the bath was taken from the Rajapihilla canal that flows through the *Dunumadalawa Forest Reserve. The kings had been brought to this location from the Royal Palace in a *palanquin by palace workers. According to legends, during the Kandyan Kingdom, there had also been a room for ...

Jul 8, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha, Palanquin, Rajapihilla in Kandy, Ratemahatmaya