Yapahuwa: Unveiling the Ancient Majesty of Sri Lanka’s Forgotten Capital – By Bhanuka – eLanka Sri Lanka, a country adorned with historical gems, boasts an illustrious past that echoes through its ancient sites. One such treasure is Yapahuwa, a majestic rock fortress situated in the North Western Province. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the rich history and unique features that make Yapahuwa a cultural and architectural marvel. 1. Historical Significance: Yapahuwa served as the capital of Sri Lanka for a brief but pivotal period in its history. Established in the 13th century by King Buwanekabahu I, it became the seat of political power and a symbol of strength during a time of political upheaval. 2. Architectural Marvel: The rock fortress of Yapahuwa stands proudly on a massive granite rock, showcasing the architectural prowess of the ancient Sri Lankan builders. The site features a stunning array ...

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Ancient capital city of Sri Lanka ‘ Dambadeniya ‘ – By Malsha – eLanka Dambadeniya is a historical site and an ancient capital city of Sri Lanka. It is located in the North Western Province of the country, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Kurunegala. Dambadeniya served as the capital of Sri Lanka from 1232 to 1272 during the reign of King Vijayabahu III and several other kings of the Dambadeniya Kingdom. During its time as the capital, Dambadeniya was an important political, administrative, and cultural center. The city was fortified with walls and had many palaces, temples, and monastic buildings. One of the notable landmarks in Dambadeniya is the Dambadeniya Raja Maha Vihara, a Buddhist temple that still exists today. The temple houses ancient statues, inscriptions, and other archaeological remains. Dambadeniya lost its status as the capital when it was replaced by Yapahuwa as the seat of power in the ...

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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 ...

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