Avukana Buddha Statue

The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 40 feet (12 m), has been carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue constructed in ancient Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction in the country.

The Avukana statue is located in the village of Avukana near Kekirawa in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is close to the Kala Wewa reservoir, and is positioned facing it. It has been carved out of a large granite rock face, but is not completely separated. A narrow strip of rock has been left at the back of the statue, connecting it to the rock face and supporting it. However, the pedestal on which the Buddha stands, which is carved in the form of a lotus flower, has been carved separately and positioned under the statue. The statue alone is 38 feet 10 inches (11.84 m) in height, and with the pedestal the total height of the Avukana statue reaches 42 feet (13 m). The statue had been located within a large image house or shrine, of which parts of the walls still remain. It had been made of brick and stone, and was 74 feet (23 m) long and 63 feet (19 m) wide.

Mihintale

Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monkMahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.

Eight miles east of Anuradhapura, close to the Anuradhapura - Trincomalee Road is situated the "Missaka Pabbata" which is 1,000 feet (300 m) in height and is one of the peaks of a mountainous range. Though this was called Cetiyagiri or Sagiri, it was popularly known asMihintale - the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Thera Mahinda came to Sri Lanka from India on the full moon day of the month of Poson (June) and met King Devanampiyatissa and the people, and preached the doctrine. The traditional spot where this meeting took place is revered by the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. Therefore in the month of Poson, Buddhists make their pilgrimage to Anuradhapura and Mihintale.

From ancient times a large number of large steps were constructed to climb Mihintale. It is stated that King Devanampiyatissa constructed a vihara and 68 caves for the bhikkhus to reside in. At Mihintale there gradually grew a number of Buddhist viharas with all the dependent buildings characteristic of monasteries of that period.

Mirisawetiya II

King Dutugemunu built it as a Dagoba of the "Mahavihara" fraternity but as the monks started living there, it sees that Mirisawetiya developed as a separate monastery. However it is believed that it would have functioned as a monastery belonging to the Mahavihara Fraternity.

Several Kings, at different intervals made renovations to the Dagaba. Among them are King Gajabahu 1 (112-134 AC), and King Voharika Tissa (214-236 AC). King Gajabahu 1: Put a new coating on Mirisawetiya.

King Voharika Tissa: Restored the umbrella of the Dagoba and rebuilt a wall around the Dagaba). The stupa and other buildings needed restoration after the Chola invasion and it is said that King Kassapa V (914-923 AC) did the restoration.

King Kassapa V also is said to have built a massive mansion called "The Chandana Prasada", adjoining the Temple to house the scared hair relic (keshadathu), which was supposed to have been brought to Sri Lanka during the time of King Moggalana (495-513 AC).

The Dagaba was again damaged by the recurrent Chola invasions and it is said that King Parakaramabahu 1(1153-1186 AC) did a comprehensive restoration and built the stupa to a height of 120 feet.

Kalaniya II

Sri Lankan Buddhists believe that the Buddha visited Kelaniya in order to quell a quarrel between two Nāga leaders of two warring factions: Chulodara (literally "the small-bellied one") and Mahodara (literally "the big-bellied one"). They were quarrelling over a jewel-encrusted throne. After the Buddha showed them the futility of their quarrel they converted to Buddhism and together offered the throne to the Buddha. It is believed that the Dagoba (pagoda or Buddhist temple) seen today was built with the throne as a relic inside.

In about the 15th century, Kelaniya was described in the Sandesa Kavyas (missive poems) as a beautiful city. In the sælalihini sandesaya of Totagamuwe Sri Rahula, a Myna is ordered to carry the missive to the god Vibhishana at his temple in Kelaniya. According to theRavana Katha of Wickramasinghe Adigar, after the defeat of Ravana, Vibhishana transferred the Yaksha capital from Alakamandawa to Kelaniya.[2] Vibhishana continues to be worshipped by a diminishing number of adherents, mainly in the Kelaniya area.

Of late the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara has become famous because of the beautiful paintings and sculpture by Solias Mendis depicting various events in the history of Sri Lanka. Thousands of Buddhists come to see the Buddhist pageant of Kelaniya, popularly referred to as Duruthu Maha Perahera of Kelaniya in the month of November/December and January every year.

Lovamahapaya II

There is no proof to prove that there wasn’t also such a huge building in India in 2BC. King Dutugemunu has become one of the famous kings among others especially due to Lowamahapaya. It has recorded that there were not only “Uposathagara”, the separate place to stay to monks and also the “Darmashala” or preaching halls to preach and listen Dharma and the stage which was decorated using valuable stones, carvings of Ashtamangala creeper patterns (Liyawel) and the sculptures of mammals. The stage (Mandapa) has seen built in the land where Lowamahapaya is situated.

But, the ruins of it haven’t received yet. This is known as Lowamahapaya because this Mandhir’s roof has covered with copper slates. The unique mandhir Lowamahapaya was destroyed due to an accident during the period of king Saddathissa. King Saddathissa had built seven storied building after the damage.

King Bathikabaya re-constructed the Lowamahapaya and King Abhaya added garden at the middle of it (Mada Midula) and a hall to Lowamahapaya. In addition for that, he constructed a stage which was decorated with gems. King Sirinaga II again re-constructed Lowamahapaya with five storied building. King Gotabhaya changed the pillars and King Jettathissa I made it as seven storied and again re-constructed with two storeys.

Samadhi Buddha Statue II

The statue was found in 1888, with the nose damaged, at the very site it is now in. Raven Hart in his "Ceylon - History in Stone" says that the repaired nose is oversharp and overlarge. Perhaps the repair was carried out by an ordinary mason who had no idea of proportions or aesthetics. This is not unusual, as there are many such instances of poor quality repairs in this country of damaged statues, stone carvings and particularly restoration of ancient temple paintings.

The Statue is 7’3" in height, hewn from a single granite rock and said to have had two jewels for the eyes which are said to have gone missing in around 1914.The veracity of this is in question as the eyes are closed with no place for jewels. The canopy over the statue was constructed in 1959/60.

Ananda Coomaraswamy wrote that the statue is "certainly the created work of art in Ceylon and is not surpassed in India"

Jawaharlal Nehru admired it when he first saw the statue in 1931. A year later when he was in the Dehra Dun gaol a friend in Ceylon sent him a picture which he had with him in his cell and " it became a precious companion" he said.

Benjamin Rawland in his book "Art and Architecture of India" describes the statue as "The perfect embodiment of the idea of Samadhi is conveyed through the very simplicity of conception; the perfect material equilibrium of the figure connotes the perfect mental state of the Sakyamuni through the massive stability of the triangular base formed by the inter locked legs mounted by the erect column body which supports the perfectly impassive mask like face."

The Samadhi statue is symbolic of the tranquillity of mind, with no attraction or repulsion from the world out side to disturb.

sigiriya II

The Mahavamsa, the ancient historical record of Sri Lanka, describes King Kasyapa as the son of King Dhatusena. Kasyapa murdered his father by walling him alive and then usurping the throne which rightfully belonged to his brother Mogallana, Dhatusena's son by the true queen. Mogallana fled to India to escape being assassinated by Kasyapa but vowed revenge. In India he raised an army with the intention of returning and retaking the throne of Sri Lanka which he considered was rightfully his. Knowing the inevitable return of Mogallana, Kasyapa is said to have built his palace on the summit of Sigiriya as a fortress and pleasure palace. Mogallana finally arrived and declared war. During the battle Kasyapa's armies abandoned him and he committed suicide by falling on his sword. Chronicles and lore say that the battle-elephant on which Kasyapa was mounted changed course to take a strategic advantage, but the army misinterpreted the movement as the King having opted to retreat, prompting the army to abandon the king altogether. Moggallana returned the capital to Anuradapura, converting Sigiriya into a monastery complex.

Alternative stories have the primary builder of Sigiriya as King Dhatusena, with Kasyapa finishing the work in honour of his father. Still other stories have Kasyapa as a playboy king, with Sigiriya a pleasure palace. Even Kasyapa's eventual fate is mutable. In some versions he is assassinated by poison administered by a concubine. In others he cuts his own throat when isolated in his final battle.[5] Still further interpretations have the site as the work of a Buddhist community, with no military function at all. This site may have been important in the competition between the Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist traditions in ancient Sri Lanka.

Ruwanweliseya

Ruwanweliseya Dagoba is the third largest stupa in Anuradhapura. Also known as the Maha Thupa or Great Stupa. At 300 feet, the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba is the third biggest stupa in Anuradhapura, after the Jetavana Dagoba and the Abhayarigi Dagoba. While the aforementioned are still in ruins, Ruwanweliseya Dagoba is the biggest dagoba that is fully restored and in regular use.

The shape of the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, as indeed all the other dagobas in Anuradhapura and elsewhere in Sri Lanka, is inspired by a bubble floating on water. Beneath the round white skin, which seems to float weightlessly into the clouds, is tons and tons of masonry.

The Ruwanweliseya Dagoba is surrounded by a wall embellished with full-size sculpted elephants (almost all of these are replacements as the original has been damaged long ago). The elephant walls are symbolic of the Buddhist mythology that they hold up the earth. Four gatehouses punctuated the elephant wall at the four cardinal points.

Buddhist symbolism is carried to the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, where the massive white dome represents heaven. The conical spire of the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba represents the parasols of kingship, or the protuberance on Buddha's head, to signify super enlightenment. Sacred relics of the Buddha are housed within the dome of the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba.

Construction of the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba commenced in 144BC. The foundation was dug to a depth of 15 feet and round stones were laid, stumped into place by elephants wearing leather foot coverings. A form of material called butter clay was used as the cement.

Mirisawetiya

Mirisawetiya was built by the great King Dutugamunu who reigned during the time (161-137 BC) and united Sri Lanka under a single flag.

It is believed that King Dutugamunu had a sceptre that contained a scared relic of the Buddha. While going to the tank “Tissawewa”, for a water festival, the King has planted the scepter in a certain place. When he came back, it is said that his men could not remove the sceptre from the place.

Witnessing the miracle, the King decided to build a dagaba enclosing the scepter. Thus was the creation of Mirisawetiya.

The significance of the sceptre is the fact that this was the king's "victory sceptre" for his battles with Elara, and by building the Dagaba around it shows the tremendous dedication that the King had for Buddhism and his spirituality.

Mirisawetiya was the first dagaba built by the great king Dutugamunu.

It is a custom among Buddhists whenever food is partaken, some of it is symbolically offered to the holy monks. In Sinhala, “Mirisaweitiya” comes from “Miris-Wetiya”, which means a pod of Chillie. It is rumored that the King once forgot to offer a pod of chillie to the Monks before eating . As a token of apology, it is said that the King named the Dagaba “Mirisawetiya”.

Tissamaharamaya

Tissamaharama is one of the most pleasant towns in the southern coast. The beautiful man-made tank (reservoir) in Tissa, Tissa Wewa with its remarkable bird life provides the scenic

backdrop to the town. Tissa was the sanctuary in the deep south, where Sinhalese patriots fled to rally support against marauding Dravidian invaders from Southern India. Known by the name of Mahagama (great town), it was one of the

principal settlements of the southern province of Ruhuna. Mahagama was founded in the third century BC by a brother of the King Devanam Piya Tissa of Anuradhapura, & later rose to prominence under King Kavantissa, father of the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna.

Modern Tissa is a bustling city with the main street lined with banks, shops & little cafes and kiosks. Refreshing breeze from the large reservoir sweeps the town. The town in turn is bounded by a beautiful expanse of paddy fields. In the midst of paddy fields stands most impressive of Tissa's dagobas (stupas). The combination of cluster of dagobas & two beautiful tanks lend Tissa a certain distinction & a sense of history making it in sharp contrast with the other towns of southern coast.

Tissa Maha Dagoba (Tissa great stupa)

Most impressive is the restored Maha Stupa, built by King Kavantissa in the 3rd century BC located between Tissa town centre and the tank. It was the largest dagoba in the island at the time. Today, for Buddhist pilgrims, it is one of the sixteen most sacred sites (Solosmasthana) in the country. The dagoba has a circumference of 165m & stands 55.8m high, is enshrined with sacred tooth relic & forehead bone relic of Buddha.

Next to the dagoba is a statue of Queen Vihara Maha Devi, the heroine of the nation & mother of the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu.

Digawapiya

Digavapiya is one of the 16 places which has been blessed by the Buddha's presence. Buddha was invited to Kelaniya by Mani Akkika of Naga Tribe, ruler of the Kelaniya region on his second visit to Nagadeepa. On the 8th year of attaining nirvana Buddha decided to visit Sri Lanka for the third time specially to Kelaniya. During this visit he came to Digavapi with 500 arhaths and spend time meditating.

According to the the Mahavansa, great chronicle of Sri Lanka, this stupa was built by king Saddhatissa (137-119 BC). According to the same the king has also donated a jacket decorated with gold lotus flowers and various gems to cover the stupa. Since this location has been blessed by Buddha's presence, it is generally believed that this stupa is a "paribogika" stupa and no special relics has been enshrined. But historian venerable Ellawela Medananda thero believes that this stupa enshrines a nail relic of Buddha. An inscription on a gold foil unearthed during excavations discloses that King Kawanthissa (164-192) has done renovations to the stupa.

In 1886 the Batticalore governor instructed the government works department to dig this stupa and and this uncontrolled digging has brought a grave destruction to the stupa later on. In 1916 a priest called Kohukumbure Revatha started developing this temple area but in 1950 he was brutally murdered by a Muslim in the area.The stupa has been 110 feet height when the archeological department started its renovation work in 1964, but a document by Badigode Buddharakitha thero has put the height to 185 feet in 1845. The circumference of the stupa is about 1000 feet.

The Digavapi Stupa lies about 13 kilometres east from Ampara town in a area dominated by Muslims. Today the land belonging to the temple premises including historical artifects are under threat from Muslims and Muslim Politians who attempt to wipeout any signs Bhuddhist heritage in these area.

Kalaniya

Kelaniya is a small town very close to Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is in Gampaha District, close to the road between Colombo and Kandy and Biyagama road. It is sited on the Kelani River, which takes its name from the town. It is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the river. It is a cult-centre for god Vibhishana.

Kelaniya (Kalyani) is mentioned in the Buddhist chronicle, the Mahawamsa which states that the Gautama Buddha (5th century BCE) visited the place, after which the dagoba of the temple was built.

The town is also of historical importance as the capital of a provincial king Kelani Tissa (1st century BCE) whose daughter, Vihara Maha Deviwas the mother of king Dutugemunu the great, regarded as the most illustrious of the 186 or so kings of Sri Lanka between the 5th century BCE and 1815.

Nagadipaya

This temple, located in the village of Nagadipa on (close to Jaffna) Nainativu Island, is one of 16 hallowed by visits of the Buddha places of veneration in Sri Lanka.

Purana Vihara were constructed by the two warring Naga kings, Mahodara and his nephew Chulodara, at the site where Lord Buddha during his second visit to Lanka - five years after attaining Enlightenment - intervened and mediated in settling a dispute over the possession of a gem-studded throne; This precious throne which was offered to the Buddha, was returned by him to the Naga Kings and was later enshrined in stupa located next to the temple.

Mahiyangenaya

Around 7km further east from Hasalaka, the bustling town of Mahiyangana is recorded in the great chronicle of Lanka as the first of the three places in Sri Lanka which the Buddha himself visited. The others areKelaniya Royal Temple & Adam's Peak. Following the launch of greatest modern irrigation scheme of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli Ganga (Mahaweli River) Scheme, the town was laid out to serve the new irrigation districts.

Opposite the temple, north of Kandy Road, six statues of Sinhalese leaders have been erected: three ancient kings & two modern stalwarts of the nation.

Devanam Piya Tissa (the famous Deer Hunter, first convert to Buddhism in Lanka). King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna (the hero of the nation who rescued the island from marauding South Indian invaders). King Parakramabahu the great (the great warrior & great tank builder). King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (the architect of 18th century Buddhist revival). The first Prime Minister of Ceylon Rt. Honourable Don Stephen Senanayake (the irrigation genius who oversaw Senanayake rainwater reservoir, Gal Oya & Uda Walawe irrigation projects) & Prime Minister Dudly Senanayake, who oversaw the Mahaweli Project, the source of the town's importance & prosperity.

History of Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya

The stupa was built by prince Saman of deva tribe of pre-historic Lanka (other two tribes were Yakka & Naga) during the first visit of Buddha to the island. It was rebuilt by the hero of the nation King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna (161-136 BC) & has been restored many times by a succession of kings: King Voharaka Tissa (214-235 AD), King Sangabodhi (251-252 AD), King Sena the 2nd (847-900 AD), King Kassapa the 4th (912-928 AD), King Vijayabahu (1065-1119AD), King Narendrasinha (1705-1737 AD) & King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1746-1778)

Lovamahapaya

Lowamahapaya or the main monastery or the brazen palace is situated in between Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanwelisaya towards the east direction. There are 1500 stone pillars which are erected in forty rows and there are 40 stone pillars in one row. It is mentioned in that these stone pillars had built due to the advices of the king of Maha Parakramabahu.The piece of land where these pillars had erected has the shape of square and the size of one side of the foundation is about 200 inches. The width of Lowamahapaya in the past history was about 200 inches in size. It is clear that when we measure the size of these stone pillars that there may be a huge building on it. Recently, one storied building which is similar to a house called as “Pohoya geya” has built on it.

King Devanampiya thins has given the place where we see the ruins of Lowamahapaya to the Bikku sasana to use it to do “Sanga karma” by building the place called “Uposathagara” according to the advices of Arahanth Mahinda Maha thero during the period that Sri Lanka was gifted Buddhism. This place was named as “Maha Muchala Malaka” during the period. Later on, king Dutugemunu changed it to a massive palace. It is squared building. It was 9 storied palace with 100 windows, 16 rooms and the length of the one side was200 inches, height of the building as same as length in size.

Kuttam Pokuna

One of the best specimen of bathing tanks or pools in ancient Sri Lanka is the pair of pools known as "Kuttam Pokuna" (Twin Ponds/Pools). The

said pair of pools were built by the Sinhalese in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. These are considered one of the significant achievements in the field of hydrological engineering and outstanding architectural and artistic creations of the ancient Sinhalese.

A garden was landscaped which separates the two ponds which long is 18½ ft. The larger pool of the two is 132 ft by 51 ft, while the smaller pool is 91 ft by 51 ft. The depths of the two pools is 14 ft and 18 ft for the smaller pool and the larger pool respectively.

The faces of the pools were cut granite slabs which includes the bottom and the sides of the pool. A wall was also built around the pool which encloses the compound. Flights of steps are seen on both ends of the pool decorated with punkalas, or pots of abundance and scroll design. Embankments were constructed to enable monks to bathe using pots or other utensils. Water to the pools were transferred through underground ducts and filtered before flowing to the pool and in a similar fashion the water was emptied.Dr. Senerath Paranavithana was actively involved in the restoration of the ponds, in which small figures of fish, a conch, a crab and a dancing woman were found in the bottom.

Across the Vatavandana Para, a little to the north, you turn right for the two ponds- recently restored 8th and 9th century ritual baths with steps from the university nearby. Thought called 'Twin Ponds' , one is over 10m longer than the other. You can see the under ground water supply channel at one end of the second bath

Samadhi Buddha Statue

The Samadhi Statue is a statue situated at Mahamevuna Park in Anuradhapura,Sri Lanka. The Buddha is depicted in the position of the Dhyana Mudra, the posture of meditation associated with his first Enlightenment, also called Nirvana. Whether the Buddha's Enlightenment was the experience technically called Samadhi, or some other phenomenon, may depend upon the philosophical allegiance of the believer. In the Dhyana Mudra the Buddha sits cross - legged with his upturned palms placed one over the other on his lap. This position is universally known throughout the Buddhist world, and this statue is therefore one of the most typical pieces of Buddhist sculpture. It is not to be confused with the very similar "Earth-Touching Mudra," which depicts the simple action the Buddha took to fend off the illusions projected by Mara, who was desperate to prevent the Buddha from realizing that his, Mara's, projections, and with them the entire world, are an illusion. This statue is 8 feet in height and carved from granite.

Samadhi - a state of inner communion with the object of contemplation - is one of the ultimate stages of Buddhist spiritual practice. To this day, whether local Sri Lankans or visiting dignitaries, supplicants place flowers at the base of the divinely beautiful 5th century Samadhi Buddha statue, situated amongst the extensive remains of the ancient religious city of Anuradhapura.

This Pilima Vahanse is said to belong to the Abeygiriya period of the 3rd or 4th century of Sri Lanka’s history. It is not known in whose period of rule it was sculptured but is thought to be one of four similar statues facing the North, South, East and West- this faces North.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477 – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. It was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Buddhist Sangha. The garden and palace were built by King Kasyapa. Following King Kasyapa's death, it was again a monastery complex up to about the 14th century, after which it was abandoned. . The Sigiri inscriptions w He also wrote the popular book "Story of Sigiriere deciphered by the archaeologist Senarath Paranavithana in his renowned two-volume work, published by Oxford, Sigiri Graffiti.ya".

Moonstone

Sandakada pahana, also known as Moonstone, is a unique feature of the Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. It is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab, usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances. First seen in the latter stage of the Anuradhapura period, the sandakada pahana evolved through the Polonnaruwa, Gampola and Kandy periods. According to historians, the sandakada pahana symbolises the cycle of Saṃsāra in Buddhism.

Known in Sinhalese as sandakada pahana, it is roughly translated into English as moonstone. The name is based on its shape and design. The ancient chronicle Mahavamsa and Pali literature such as the Samantapasadika refer to the sandakada pahana as patika.

The first sandakada pahanas were created during the latter stage of the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom. They were only placed at entrances to Buddhist temples during this period.

The carvings of the semi circular stone slab were the same in every sandakada pahana. A half lotus was carved in the centre, which was enclosed by several concentric bands. The first band from the half lotus is decorated with a procession of swans, followed by a band with an intricate foliage design known as liyavel. The third band has carvings of four animals; elephants, lions, horses, and bulls. These four animals are following each other in a procession. The fourth and outermost band contains a carving of flames.

Isurumuniya

The temple was built by King DHEVANAMPIYATHISSA who ruled in the ancient Sri Lanka capital of Anuradhapura. After 500 children of high-caste were ordained, Isurumuniya was built for them to reside. King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD) renovated this viharaya and named it as "Boupulvan, Kasubgiri Radmaha Vehera". This name is derived from names of his 2 daughters and his name. There is a viharaya connected to a cave and above is a cliff. A small stupa is built on it. It can be seen that the constructional work of this stupa belong to the present period. Lower down on both sides of a cleft, in a rock that appears to rise out of a pool, have been carved the figures of elephants. On the rock is carved the figure of a horse. The carving of Isurumuniya lovers on the slab has been brought from another place and placed it there. A few yards away from this vihara is the Ranmasu Uyana.

Isurumuni Lovers

6th Century Gupta style carving. The woman, seated on the man's lap, lifts a warning finger, probably as a manifestation of her coyness; but the man carries on regardless. The figures may represent Dutugemunu's son Saliya and the law caste (Sadol Kula) maiden Asokamala whom he loved. It's known that he gave up the throne for her.

‘Siddha mahayaha kuni – maha (la) ka Asala yaha (di) ni’ [Hail! The cell of Mahaya is given to Venerable Asalaya]The above Brahmi inscription was inscribed at the original place where the Isurumuniya Lovers were originally sculptured and placed. It is a special one as a letters in this inscription is 3 inches x 4 inches in size. After donating Vessagiriya to Maha Sangha this sculpture would have been removed and placed at its present place. The Lovers in the sculptured plaque are King Kuvera Vaisrawana and his Queen Kuni. Ramayana states that Vaisrawana who lived in Vessagiriya ruled Sri Lanka from Lankapura before Rawana.

Jethavanaramaya

As mentioned in me Mahavamsa, king Mahasena (276-305) built me Jetavanarama cetiya and the monastery within the boundaries of the Mahavfliara. It was built in the Joth park which was earlier known as the Nanadana park.213 This vihara was offered to the "hypocrite, the plotter and the lawless" Kohantissa mero who dwelt in the Dhakkinarama vihara. The account of the establishment of the Jetavana vihara clearly proves that even though the king had been hostile towards the Mahavihara, He was still a favourite of the Abayagiri fraternity to which the Dakkinarama vihara belonged. Furthermore the king had built this vihara within the Mahavihara premises without heeding the objections made by the Bhikkhus of the Mahavihara. The vihara was then given to the said Kohantissa thero. As this monk was accussed of an offence of the gravest kind (parajika offence), it was investigated by a minster and on being proved that , me thero was guilty, he eas, disrobed and expelled from the order.217 Afterwards the Dakkinagiri Bhikkhus occupied^ the Jetawana viharaya. Bhikkhus of the Dakkhina vihara were also known as Sagalika. Nikaya because of the prominence beld by the Bhikkhu of that name who lived in the, viharaya. The Jetavanarama was also called by the names of Denanaka and Denavehera . Founders of the Jetavana vihara were those who broke away from the Abayagiri, monastery as mentioned earlier.

The construction of the Jetavana cetiya, commenced by king Mahasena was completed by his son Maghavanna.1 This was the largest cetiya at Anuradhapura which, was originally 400 feet high. At present the height of the cetiya is 231 ft a is part of the spiral has fallen down. During the excavations it was found that the cetiya was constructed on a solid foundation made of bricks to thickness of 26 feet217

It was the 3rd tallest building in the world during that time. 2 pyramids were higher than Jethawanaramaya. However pyramids were not constructed using bricks

Abhayagiriya

The Abhayagiri Dagaba is situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimagecities. Historically it was a great monastic centre as well as a royal capital, with magnificent monasteries rising to many stories, roofed with gilt bronze or tiles of burnt clay glazed in brilliant colors. To the north of the city, encircled by great walls and containing elaborate bathing ponds, carved balustrades and moonstones, stood "Abhayagiri", one of seventeen such religious units in Anuradhapura and the largest of its five major viharas. Surrounding the humped dagaba, Abhayagiri Vihara was a seat of the Northern Monastery, or Uttara Vihara.

The term "Abhayagiri Vihara" means not only a complex of monastic buildings, but also a fraternity of Buddhist monks, or Sangha, which maintains its own historical records, traditions and way of life. Founded in the second century B.C., it had grown into an international institution by the first century of this era, attracting scholars from all over the world and encompassing all shades of Buddhist philosophy. Its influence can be traced to other parts of the world, through branches established elsewhere. Thus, the Abhayagiri Vihara developed as a great institution vis‑a‑vis theMahavihara and the jetavana Buddhist monastic sects in the ancient Sri Lankan capital of Anuradhapura.

Lankaraamaya

In ancient times known as "Manisomaramaya" Built by King Vatta Gamini Abhaya, in the 1st centure B.C. and bears same architectural features similar to that of Thuparamaya.

Diameter of the stone terrace is 132 ft. 2 inchs. Built in memory of qeen Soma, it's hight is 44 ft. and 2 inchs.

Thuparamaya

Thuparamaya is a dagaba in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.Thera Mahinda, an envoy sent by King Ashoka himself introduced TheravadaBuddhism and also chetiya worship to Sri Lanka. At his request King Devanampiyatissa built Thuparamaya in which was enshrined the collarbone of the Buddha. It is considered to be the first dagaba built in Sri Lanka following the introduction of Buddhism. This is considered the earliest monument, the construction of which was chronicled Sri Lanka. The name Thuparamaya comes from "stupa" and "aramaya" which is a residential complex for monks.

This chetiya was built in the shape of a heap of paddy. This dagaba was destroyed from time to time. During the reign of King Agbo II it was completely destroyed and the King restored it. What we have today is the construction of the dagaba, done in 1862 AD. As it is today, after several renovations, in the course of the centuries, the monument has a diameter of 59 ft (18 m), at the base. The dome is 11 feet 4 inches (3.45 m) in height from the ground, 164½ ft (50.1 m) in diameter. The compound is paved with granite and there are 2 rows of stone pillars round the dagaba. During the early period vatadage was built round the dagaba.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a Sacred Fig tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be a sapling from the historical Bodhi tree under which Buddha became enlightened. It was planted in 288 BC, and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date.

It was planted on a high terrace about 6.5 m (21.3 ft) above the ground and surrounded by railings, and today it is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and respected by Buddhists all over the world. This wall was constructed during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha, to protect it from the wildelephants which might have damaged the tree.

The tree is said to be the southern branch of Sri Maha Bodhi at Boddha Gaya in India under which Buddha attained Enlightenment.

In the 3rd century BC, the Buddha's fig tree was brought to Sri Lanka by the Thera Sangamitta (Pali; Skt.: Sanghamitra), daughter of Emperor Asoka and founder of an order of Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka.

In 249 BC, Siri Maha Bodhi was planted in the Mahameghavana Park in Anuradhapura by King Devanampiyatissa.

On May 14, 1985, Tamil Tigers gunned down nuns, monks and civilians as they prayed inside the Buddhist shrine.

kataragama kiriwehera *

Today it is a fast developing township surrounded by jungle in the deep south of Sri Lanka. But in medieval times it was only a small village. It is situated 228 km ESE of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.

Esala Perahera

KATARAGAMA: The annual and traditional Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya Esala Perahera will be held from July 15 to 30, the Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya Shashindra Kumara Rajapaksa said at a special press conference in Kataragama on Saturday.

The Basnayake Nilame told journalists that the most prestigious and oldest pageant in the social-cultural calendar of the country, dating back to King Dutugemunu's era, has been directly linked with the economic well-being of the region. A local population of around 15,000 are sustained by the historic perahera festival.

"The economic prosperity and well-being of the entire Kataragama region depends entirely on the success of the Kataragama Devalaya and Kiriwehera festive activities. Our investment in them will be clearly reflected by the development of the region", he said.

He appealed to the devotees flocking to Kataragama to participate in the rituals and vows, to refrain from misuse of polythene and abstain from consumption of alcoholic beverages, within the precincts of the Kataragama sacred sites, in order to avert environmental pollution and to maintain its sanctity. "We have taken steps to impose a 15 day closurs of all wine stores in the area", he added.

Rajapaksa noted that the perahera which is estimated to cost over Rs. 22 million will comprise around 80 traditional dance and drama ensembles selected from over 290, including those from the Eastern Province as well. Around 24 elephants are expected to participate.

To eliminate the usual language barriers, they will incorporate around 10 interpretors who are proficient in the Tamil language. All persons within the precincts of the perahera, are fully insured.