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Pre-historic cave murals in Kotiyagala By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located approximately 45 kilometers from *Monaragala in close proximity to *Lahugala and *Yala National Parks, Mailla (also known as Miyella) in Kotiyagala, (the area is famous for wild elephants and bears), the ancient Temple can be accessed through an arduous journey of six kilometers in a jungle area. The location is well-known for the Mailla cave. According to sources, this site had been discovered by a group of surveyors in 1966. In 1967, an Italian Archaeologist who arrived in Sri Lanka to restore *Sigiriya Frescoes had visited these caves and restored some murals. Yet, there is no evidence of any local authority intervening in to restore these cave murals, according to locals. Encompassing an area of several hectares from the slopes of Mailla Mountain, there are several caves in the locality including drip ledge caves, a reclining Buddha Statue 27 feet ...

Mar 31, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Kotiyagala, Lahugala, Mailla Mountain, Monaragala, SIGIRIYA, Sri Lanka

Panavitiya Ambalama – paradigm of Sri Lankan architecture By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in *Dambadeniya in *Kurunegala District, Panavitiya Ambalama (Ambalama meaning a rest-hall in Sinhala) is located en route to an ancient footpath from Dambadeniya to Kurunegala and Yapahuwa. Panavitiya Ambalama is a modest wooden structure erected on a flat land adjacent to a stretch of paddy fields and the carvings cover almost every available space. The elaborate carvings of wooden beams and rafters of Panavitiya Ambalama bear resemblance to those in Embekke Temple in Udunuwara in Kandy. The structure of Panavitiya Ambalama stands on a platform of 12′ 4″ and 9′ 6″ (approximately 3.6 meters and 2.7 meters) raised about a foot (approximately 0.3 meters) from the ground with rubble as its base resting on four rounded boulders. The nine inner pillars with some pillars 6 feet (approximately 1.8 meters) in height are copiously carved with mythical creatures, ...

Mar 25, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Cultural Affairs, Embekke Temple, Panavitiya Ambalama

Tunneled history of Kotte Kingdom By Arundathie Abeysinghe Secret passageways were a common characteristic of ancient Sri Lankan Royal architecture which served as pathways to escape from a kingdom during an enemy invasion. There had been numerous such passageways used by Royalty centuries ago in different parts of Sri Lanka… The Archaeological Department recently commenced excavations of the ancient tunnel situated at Kotte Ananda Sastralaya (a public boys school located in *Kotte, Sri Lanka), a project sponsored by the Municipal Council of Kotte. Yet, this secret tunnel is not properly preserved. According to scholars, Kotte tunnel has had several exits with one exit at the present Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya, a temple built by King Parakramabahu VI during his reign (1415-1467) situated in close proximity to his palace. Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya has been a significant temple among the historical places in the ancient Kingdom of Kotte and has ...

Mar 18, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged King Bhuwanekabahu VII, King Parakramabahu VI, Kotte Kingdom, Mahayana Buddhism, Municipal Council of Kotte, Nissanka Alakeshwara, Princess Suriya Devi

Rock-hewn Buddha Statue of Dowa Cave Temple By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated a few kilometers away from the ancient hamlet of Dowa (or Dhowa) on *Badulla-Bandarawela Road, approximately seven kilometers from Bandarawela town, the location of the Temple is breathtaking as it is situated at the foot of a hillock on the banks of a charming hill stream. The Temple buildings are located downhill with steep steps that lead to the famed cave temple. The hamlet has gained the name of “Dowa” as it is located within a ring of breathtaking mountains and a river which flows across the plateau. The Temple is well-known due to the large Buddha Statue in the temple premises, considered as an example of Mahayana (a collection of Buddhist traditions: Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism) sculpture. According to chronicles, the Temple has been constructed during the reign of King Walagamba (103 BC and ...

Mar 12, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Buddha Statue, Dowa, Kandyan Kingdom, Princess Sita

Alagalla Mountain Range – defense location of yesteryear –By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated at the boundaries of Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces of Sri Lanka, Alagalla Mountain Range or “Potato Range”, the potato-shaped rock with its nickname “Potato Mountain” which offers spectacular vistas has served as a natural defense location from 1505 – 1815 against the Portuguese, Dutch and English invasions aimed at the Kandyan Kingdom. According to legends, during foreign invasions, people living in Kandy and environs had been hiding among the cliffs that border Hatharaliyadda and Thumpane (villagers situated in close proximity to the Mountain) and retaliated against the Portuguese, Dutch and British. The majority of battles against foreign invasions aimed at the Kandyan Kingdom by western nations during the period of their rule of maritime provinces of Sri Lanka had occurred at Alagalla Mountain, at Balana (View Point) situated between *Kadugannawa Pass and Potato Range during the rule ...

Mar 3, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Alagalla Mountain Range, Ambuluwawa, Bathalegala, Dewanagala, Hanthana mountain ranges, Kadugannaw, Kandyan Kingdom, Potato Mountain, Rambukkana Railway Station, Sabaragamuwa Provinces, Uthuwankanda

Hatthikucchi Viharaya – ruined ancient temple complex framed by rock boulders By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in a spectacular setting, enclosed by rock boulders, Hatthikucchi Viharaya (Viharaya meaning temple in Sinhala), the ruined ancient temple complex is situated on the northern border of the North Western Province, approximately three kilometers from Padeniya – Anuradhapura (A28) road. Within an area of approximately 120 hectares, Hatthikuchchi Aramic complex is also referred as “Hastikuchchi”, “Hasti Kuchchi” and Rajanganaya Ruins. But the site is well-known as the location, the exiled *King Sirisangabo (251 – 253 AD) offered his head to a pheasant. ‘Hatthikucchi’ (meaning ‘Elephant Stomach’ in Pali), the Temple is thus named due to a large rock inside the Temple Complex which resembles an elephant. According to historical records, the Complex is considered to have been built by King Devanampiyatissa (307–267 BC) and is considered as one of the oldest Buddhist temple complexes ...

Feb 23, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura, Attanagalla, elephants visit, Hatthikucchi Viharaya, King Sirisangabo, Kurunegala, Padeniya, Rajangana Ruins, Sri Lanka, Temple Complex

Piyangala Chithralena – cave of frescoes in Ampara By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated in *Ampara, Piyangala Chitralena (cave of frescoes) is an enormous cave with ancient frescoes situated in close proximity to Piyangala Forest Hermitage, about 27 kilometers from Ampara in a vast area comprising scattered ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastic complex. There are over 50 caves with drip ledges in the location. These drip ledges indicate that the caves had been home to forest dwelling meditating Buddhist monks in the past. The main cave of the hermitage is the ‘Uttaraguptha Thera lena’ (meaning the cave of Uttaraguptha Thera in Sinhala) situated at the top of the mountain (along with 20 other caves) believed to have been utilized by a renowned *arhat known as Uttara Gupta Thera in the 1st century BC. A stone paved path leads to the entrance of the monastery which has a 100 feet long ...

Feb 16, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged King Dutugemunu Rajagala mountain, Piyangala Chithralena, Professor Senarath Paranawithana, to Piyangala Forest Hermitage, Uttaraguptha Thera lena

Commonwealth War Cemetery – tribute to brave warriors By Arundathie Abeysinghe Serene and incredibly well-maintained Commonwealth War Cemetery also known as Kandy War Cemetery is a memorial to known and unknown warriors who sacrificed their lives during World War I and II. This cemetery is one of the most well-maintained and visited war cemeteries in the world. There is one Commonwealth burial from the World War I and 196 Commonwealth burials from the World War II. The cemetery also has four foreign national burials and two non-world war burials. The graveyard formerly known as the Pitakande Military Cemetery was taken over by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as a permanent war cemetery Located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the entrance to the *Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the Cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Among the burials in the Cemetery, 203 buried comprise 107 British, 35 East Africans, 26 Sri ...

Feb 10, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Admiral Lord Mountbatten, British Garrison Cemetery, Commonwealth War Cemetery, Mahaweli River, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, World War II

Devil’s Staircase – popular hiking adventure in Central Highlands By Arundathie Abeysinghe There are several natural as well as man-made formations in many countries that have earned the name “Devil’s Staircase”. Sri Lanka also has one of the most dangerous popular hiking routes in Central Highlands with sharp zig-zag twists, old dilapidated roads through tea estates which are extremely steep and difficult, yet exciting to hike… The picturesque Devil’s Staircase trail is a well-known secret among adventure loving locals as well as foreigners, engulfed by the serenity of the misty mountains, breathtaking vistas, rolling carpets of tea of the Central Highlands… When looking from a distance, the terrain has an infinity atmosphere where the sky and lands meet, engulfed in the beauty of Mother Nature blending perfectly with awe-inspiring vistas of mountain ranges, the sky and the impeccable clouds, a mesmerizing view… Devil’s Staircase popular as “Yakshayage Padipela” (in ...

Feb 2, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Badulla, Bambarakanda Falls, breathtaking vistas, Central Highlands, Devil's Staircase, Horton Plains, misty mountains, Ohiya, rolling carpets, Yakshayage Padipela

Diyatha Uyana – serenity amidst tree-lined boulevards By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated approximately nine kilometers from the busy metropolis and constructed on the banks of the *Diyawanna Oya, Diyatha Uyana located at Polduwa junction, Battaramulla features enormous swaths of green marsh land, well-maintained walking paths and boat rides on the river… A relaxing trail away from the hustle and bustle of Colombo City, yet situated in close proximity to outskirts of the busy metropolis… Diyatha Uyana (meaning “water garden”), a novel outdoor recreational area located in the suburban area of Battaramulla has been constructed on a marshy land on the banks of the *Diyawanna Oya. The Park is man-made, yet the architects have well-preserved the existing ponds including small ponds adding glamour and diversity to the Park while maintaining the pristine natural environment. Diyatha Uyana is an exquisite creation of architecture that echoes Kandyan architecture and aristocratic southwestern art styles ...

Jan 26, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Battaramulla, Diyatha Uyana, Diyawanna Oya, King Wikramabahu III, Sri Jayewardenapura Kotte,  King Don Juan Dharmapala,  Kingdom of Kotte