Isinbassagala Ruwangiri Rajamaha Viharaya – temple with historical significance – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated on the summit of a rock plateau, Isinbassagala Ruwangiri Rajamaha Viharaya (“Isinbassagala” meaning “the rock that the sage came from”) is a temple with historical significance. The stupa of the Temple is situated on a rock plateau approximately 160 meters (530 feet) high. Yet, it is not difficult to climb this rocky plateau. The Temple can be seen at a distance, the greatest attraction of the location. According to scholars, the Temple Complex has been constructed by King Devanampiyathissa (250-210 BC), immediately after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by *Arhat Mahinda. The second stupa constructed in Sri Lanka after the arrival of Arhat Mahinda is also located in the Temple. Hence, this temple is a historical site. Located in *Medawachchiya in the *Anuradhapura District, for thousands of years, sages and Arhats had lived in ...

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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 ...

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Ranmasu Uyana – paradigm of garden architecture By Arundathie Abeysinghe   Parks were a prominent feature of city planning during Ancient Kingdoms even before Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka during the era of King Devanampiyatissa (247 BC – 207 BC). According to chronicles, after the arrival of *Arhat Mahinda, King Devanampiyatissa had donated these parks to Buddhist monks to be used as Buddhist hermitages.  According to chronicles, Ranmasu Uyana (meaning Gold Fish Park) had been used as a pleasure garden (Magul Uyana in Sinhala) for the sensual enjoyment by royals, an alternative to those donated to Buddhist monks.  The Park has beautiful, plants, trees, vines as well as flowering shrubs as described in literary texts of Sinhala Literature, beauty and elegance of yesteryear. According to Professor Senake Bandaranayake, former Professor of Archaeology:  “Sri Lanka is perhaps the only country in South Asia where we still have substantial archaeological remains ...

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