“Damila Maha Seya” – incomplete archaeological site By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in the ancient city complex of *Polonnaruwa covering an area of approximately 1.6 hectares (four acres), “Damila Maha Seya” also known as “Damila Thupa” or “Demala Maha Seya” is an incomplete stupa constructed during the reign of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) utilizing labor of Tamil prisoners brought from India when he attacked the *Chola Kingdom of South India. Due to some unknown reason, the King had been unable to complete the Stupa. This stupa is similar to *Kota Vehera in Dedigama and *Yudaganawa Stupa (considered as the location of King Parakramabahu’s mother’s cremation). This gigantic incomplete stupa is located between *Gal Viharaya and *Thivanka Pilimage and is at present, a protected archaeological site. Scholars are of the view that, although, King Parakramabahu I has planned this 12th century stupa of 186 meters (570 feet) height as the world’s largest ...
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Somawathiya the Buddhist Oasis of Polonnaruwa – By Deshan Josep Source : dailynews The Buddhist history of Sri Lanka is fascinating. Today I am writing about one of the most important spiritual sites in the domain of Buddhism. I first visited Somawathiya Chaitya as a child, and had limited understanding of its religious significance. On my second visit I was able to witness the beautiful aura around this magnificent Buddhist edifice and was impressed by the faith of hundreds of pilgrims gathered here. Before we talk about this awe inspiring stupa which is nestled in the dense wilderness, we must pause to appreciate the political and cultural importance of the once glorious kingdom of Polonnaruwa in ancient Sri Lanka. It is recorded that Polonnaruwa was a great city which came into prominence during its brief period of 2 centuries in Sri Lankan history, being second only to the regal city of Anuradhapura ...
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 ...
Danigala Circular Rock – miraculous inselberg By Arundathie Abeysinghe Popularly known as Danigala “Alien Mountain” by locals due to its extraordinary geological formation and located in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka in close proximity to Aralaganwila in *Polonnaruwa, this rock is situated in an amazing landscape. Danigala Rock is situated in the land belonging to Kandegama Raja Maha Viharaya (Buddhist Temple), a contemporary Cave Temple. Hence, permission from the Head Priest is necessary to enter this site. According to locals, Danigala Rock is a “UFO sighting hotspot” and secrets of aliens are hidden in the Rock. Hence, the Rock is also known as “Alien Mountain”. Local as well as foreign tourists are of the view that Danigala Rock is similar to a roundabout. The aerial view of the Danigala Rock indicates a unique semi-circular shape, affected by geological activities as well as climatic conditions. Hence, the location of Danigala ...
A Day On Batticaloa Lagoon & Elephant Delights on the Polonnaruwa – ‘Batti’ Road – Stefan 2020 ...
