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Kibulagala Rock – birthplace of Nandimithra – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located on a rocky hill, the rock plateau, Kibulagala Rock is considered a momentous site due to inscriptions located on the summit of the plateau. Considered as the birthplace of the giant Nandimithra who was in *King Dutugemunu’s *Dasa Maha Yoda Sena (“Sena” meaning an army of soldiers), the breathtaking hamlet is located towards the end in the northern section of *Anuradhapura Kingdom. Due to the shape of the rock resembling the shape of a crocodile (kimbula in Sinhala), the rock is known as “Kibulagala” (meaning the rock in the shape of a crocodile). Kimbulagala Rock is historically and archaeologically significant due to cave inscriptions and dripstones. There are 13 cave inscriptions written in *Brahmi script from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD, including 23 caves with dripstones at the location. The two significant historical sites Erupothana ...

Dec 2, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Kingdom, Arundathie Abeysinghe, birthplace of Nandimithra, Horowpathana, Kibulagala, Kibulagala Rock, King Dutugemunu, Madukanda Temple, Sri Lanka, Vavuniya

Jetavanaramaya: the third tallest ancient structure in the world! – By Silkroute Source : Silkroute linkedin Jetavanaramaya is a famous Buddhist temple located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the largest stupas (domed structures) in the world and holds great historical and religious significance. Here are some key details about Jetavanaramaya: Location: Jetavanaramaya is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, which is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Construction: The stupa was built during the reign of King Mahasena (273-301 AD) of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. It took nearly 15 years to complete and stands as a testament to ancient Sri Lankan engineering and architectural prowess. Dimensions: Jetavanaramaya stands approximately 122 meters (400 feet) in height, making it the tallest stupa in the world and the third tallest ancient structure in the world. The base of the stupa covers an area of about 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres). Architectural Features: The stupa ...

May 22, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura Kingdom, Buddhist temple, Cultural heritage, Jetavanaramaya, Sri Lanka’s rich Buddhist heritage, stupa complex

The economy During Sigiriya was the Capital of Ceylon. – By Dr Tilak S. Fernando Although I managed (the author of the book) to systematically detail different epochs of economic development in ancient Ceylon, it is impossible to forecast, in detail, during the Sigiriya reign. It is because it is impossible to categorise Sigiriya’s economy into various sections. The King murdered his father and all his subjects, and the Buddhist clergy despised the King, thereby the King had become a political problem. According to the chronicles, King Kasyapa collected wealth. He kept it in protected custody, but later, out of that fortune, he constructed a beautiful chamber out of gold and lived there as emperor Wesamuni. His wealth was considered by all the kings from the Anuradhapura era. According to folk stories, once he (Kasyapa 1) ordered the killing of all cooks and horse keepers to be killed as ...

May 11, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Tilak S Fernando Tagged ancient Ceylon, Anuradhapura Kingdom, King Kasyapa, King Kasyapa 1, SIGIRIYA, Sigiriya epoch, Sigiriya’s economy

“Kok Doowa Island” – paradise for avifauna aficianados – By Arundathie Abeysinghe A small rocky island located in the enormous *Parakrama Samudraya Reservoir in Polonnaruwa constructed by *King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) is a paradise for birdwatchers. During the nesting season of birds (from February to May) that coincides with the start of the monsoon, this tiny island turns home to thousands of nests, a birdwatchers’ paradise, a mesmerizing site… “Kok Doowa” meaning the ‘island of storks’ due to large numbers of birds, especially, storks (Ciconiidae) nesting on the rock, the island is visited not only by birds, but by elephants, especially those crossing Parakrama Samudraya. During the dry season, when the water levels of the reservoir decreases, visitors can walk across the water towards the island. Yet, when water levels are high, services of a fisherman’s boat to reach the island is necessary. The island has two summits, approximately 200 meters ...

Apr 20, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Kingdom, King Parakramabahu, Kok Doowa Island, Parakrama Samudraya, Polonnaruwa

An a island country located in the Indian Ocean ” Sri lanka” – By Malsha – eLanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, off the southern coast of India. The country has a rich cultural heritage and a history that spans over 3,000 years. The capital and largest city of Sri Lanka is Colombo, which is located on the west coast of the island. The country has a population of approximately 21 million people, with Sinhalese being the largest ethnic group, followed by Tamil and Muslim communities. Sri Lanka is known for its beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, and ancient Buddhist temples. It has eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the ancient city of Anuradhapura and the Sigiriya rock fortress. The economy of Sri Lanka is primarily based on agriculture, with tea, rubber, and coconut being some ...

Mar 31, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Malsha Madhuhansi Tagged ancient cities, Anuradhapura Kingdom, Ayurveda, BEACHES, Buddhism, Buddhist Culture, Cardamom, Christianity, Cinnamon, Dolphins, elephants, Hinduism, Islam, leopards, lush tropical rainforests, natural environment, Polonnaruwa Kingdom, sea turtles, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lankan culture, Sri Lankan Muslims, Tea culture, The Esala Perahera, Traditional music, UNESCO, whales, WILDLIFE, World Heritage sites

Royal Palace Polonnaruwa – architectural marvel of yesteryear – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Source : wikipedia Considered as the ruins of the Royal Palace Polonnaruwa, this majestic palace constructed under the guidance of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) during his reign is an architectural marvel of yesteryear. This has been a seven-story palace comprising 1000 chambers. Located in *Polonnaruwa, the Palace was known as “Vijayotpaya” or “Vijayanta Prasada” (meaning the Palace of *God Sakra). As there had been seven stories, the building has also been called “Sathbumupaya” (in Sinhala). The remaining huge walls are over one meter thick and rise to approximately nine meters (30 feet). A section of the stairs and the foundation walls are indications of the size of the building. According to archaeological records, the Royal Palace would have been one of the tallest occupied buildings in the world during that time and its foundation is still impressive, approximately 1,000 ...

Dec 17, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Kingdom, Anuradhapura Period, Mahawamsa, Polonnaruwa Kingdom, Royal Palace Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, YAPAHUWA

“Yathuru Pokuna” – amazing craftsmanship of Anuradhapura era – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in close proximity to *Jethawanaramaya Monastery in Anuradhapura, Yathuru Pokuna (meaning “Key Pond” in English) is a marvelous craftsmanship of our forefathers. There are three ponds known as “Yathuru Pokuna”, two in Jethawanaramaya Monastery Complex and one in *Maha Vihara Complex in close proximity to *Ruwanweliseya and the unique *Buddhist Railing. The design of “Yathuru Pokuna” (Key Pond) resembles a key. According to scholars, the Ponds have been utilized to obtain water for the rituals of the Bodhigara (Bo tree shrine) of Jethawanaramaya Monastery. According to *Mahawamsa, these ponds (also known as wells) would have been constructed during the era of King Agghabodhi II of *Anuradhapura Kingdom in the 7th century (608 to 618). These ponds are circular in shape and are not much deep. The walls of the ponds are constructed with bricks and steps ...

May 12, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Kingdom, Jethawanaramaya Monastery Complex, Jethawanaramaya Monastery in Anuradhapura, King Agghabodhi II, Mahavihara Buddhist Monastery, Mahawamsa, Ruwanweliseya

Ingenious elephant lamp at Dedigama – marvelous craftsmanship of yesteryear By Arundathie Abeysinghe Unique elephant lamp discovered from *Dedigama Kota Vehera (Sutighara Stupa) is an ingenious creation based on hydro static principles displayed at the Dedigama Museum. The elephant lamp has been excavated from the upper relic chamber of Sutighara Stupa at Dedigama in 1951. There are three stupas of the Kota Vehera type in Sri Lanka; Sutighara Cetiya at Dedigama, *the stupa at Yudaganawa (largest stupa in the south and east of Sri Lanka) and the Damila thupa at Polonnaruwa which date to the 12th century and are attributed to King Parakramabahu I. According to scholars, during the Polonnaruwa Era, the oil lamp has been an integral element of art and religion of Sri Lankan society and various artistic elements had been added to adorn the structure of the oil lamp. Oil lamps had often been made with ...

Dec 29, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Kingdom, Dedigama, Dedigama Kota Vehera, Dedigama Museum, elephant lamp, King Parakramabahu I, Makara Thorana, Polonnaruwa, Yudaganawa

Queen’s Tower – alluring colonial legacy in Delft Island By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in Delft Island approximately 30 kilometers off the west coast of the Jaffna Peninsula, Delft Island (also known as Neduntivu or Neduntheeve meaning Long Island or Large Island) is the second largest island in Sri Lanka with a history spanning over a thousand years dating to the period of the *Chola Dynasty. Initially occupied by the Chola Dynasty, the Portuguese and the Dutch in the 17th century and thereafter by the British, Delft Island is a stark contrast to the landscape of the mainland Sri Lanka, a unique and extraordinary place. The Island is abundant with colonial legacy. There is also a *Baobab tree in the Island, one of the several Baobab trees in Sri Lanka brought to *Ceylon by the seafaring Arab traders and regarded as the longest-lived tree species on earth. Among the colonial remnants, ...

Nov 17, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Kingdom, Arundathie Abeysinghe, Ceylon, Neduntheeve, Portuguese, Queen’s Tower, UNESCO

Kohonawala – cinematic hamlet in Central Highlands By Arundathie Abeysinghe Spectacular and epic verdant vistas of gorgeous hill country scenery… Misty weather and intense clouds enhance the gorgeous landscape hiding the panorama from the other end of the Central Highlands… The highland reaching an abrupt end with dramatic and breathtaking views rendering a cinematic experience… An impression of being at the end of the world… Kohonawala is an isolated village located at the bottom of a deep, narrow gorge… The abyss is constantly mist engulfed with an impression of being over the clouds. If there is no mist, Eastern and South Eastern areas of Sri Lanka can be seen from Kohonawala. Kohonawala is similar to a fairy tale hamlet with its spectacular vistas, a hamlet which receives sunlight only for six hours (a day), between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm … As the hamlet is surrounded by a ring of ...

Oct 21, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Kingdom, Badulla, Central Highland, Madulsima