GRATE HISTORY OF SRI LANKA

 Anuradhapura

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya

 Lord Gautama Buddha is considered as the Greatest Human Being appeared on earth. The esteemed one achieved the eternal bliss of Samma Sambodhi or the Enlightenment, ending the continuous circle of Samsara, the existence. This wonderful event took place 2600 years ago seated with his back against under an Esathu tree by the river Neranjana in the Buddhagaya, India.

        

Temple of the Tooth

Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.

 

 Thiriyaya

    

 

 History of Girihadu Seya 

Girihadu seya is considered as the first Dageba in Sri Lanka, done by Thapassue Balluka Merchants. This is located in Thiriyaya close to Trincomalee Pulmoddi road.

Girihadu Seya is at the top and it's on a stage like structure. It says there was a "Watada geya" here, still you can see the columns belonging to that. You can get a stunning view of the whole surrounding. Dageba was build with bricks and in a different shape with compared to what we see in normal temples. There is another pagoda type structure available just one level below the top. This is the highest point in the area, so you can get a stunning view.           

Koneswaram Temple

Koneswaram Temple is also known as Tirukoneswaram Kovil (Hindu temple) which is situated on top of Swami Rock. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, and it is one out of five such temples situated around Sri Lanka. It is believed that this Kovil has been in existence since 2500 years ago, and was renovated by the south Indian Chola king Kulakottan and maintained by other Sinhala Buddhist kings. In 1622 the Portuguese destroyed this temple which they referred to as the temple of a thousand columns by shoving the temple over the edge of the cliff into the deep blue seas below. The revered Shiva lingam (mark of Shiva) was subsequently rescued by divers. The Portuguese used the building materials of the temple in the construction of Fort Fredrick.At the bottom of the hill which leads to Swami rock in an ancient stone inscription with the symbol of king Kulakottan - the dual fish. With a prophecy stating that after 1500 years Westerners with different eye colours will rule the country for 500 years. Visitors to the temple could take part in the evening or morning pooja (prayer service) or obtain a blessing from the swami (priest) at the kovil. The temple is also worthwhile visiting for its gorgeous views of the natural harbour as well as the Indian Ocean

Gal Vihara

The Gal Vihara (Sinhala: ගල් විහාරය), also known as Gal Viharaya, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in north-central Sri Lanka. It was constructed in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The central feature of the shrine are four images of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granite rock. The images consist of a large seated figure, another, smaller seated figure inside an artificial cavern, and standing figure and a reclining figure. These are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting and carving arts, and have made the Gal Vihara one of the most visited monuments in Polonnaruwa.

 

Lankatileke in Polonnaruwa

At the heart of the Alahana Pirivan is the remains at the towering Lankatilaka shrine, one of the most splendid of Buddhist shrines in Asia in the 12th century, is an enormous brick structure, include 55ft. high walls, elaborate carving and a colossal image of Buddha. Lankatilaka shrine Image House is a fine example of vaulted shrines called gedige. The colossal Buddha statue today sans the head, when intact would have measured 41ft in height. The exterior of the walls are decorated with stucco figures and architectural models. On the right balustrade is carved an exquisite figure of great beauty, in high relief that of Nagini, female counterpart of Nagaraja. Though Naga images are common in the guardstones at cultural monuments in Sri Lanka, Lankatilaka shrine is the only example where such images are found in balustrades. Dambulla is a part of the Cultural Triangle declared by UNESCO is on the main road from Sigiriya to Kandy about 19Km from Sigiriya. There are over 80 caves in the surrounding and some of them have been used by the monks as meditation locations. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain the statues and the paintings. Since it's founding in the 1 century BC by King Valagamba, many improvements and additions have been carried out to the sculptures and paintings over the years. Hindu statues are believed to be of the 12 century AD and the latest paintings are of the late 18-century. The temple is a perfect location to view evolution of the ancient Sri Lankan arts. Dambulla is a unique and important historical site because of the amalgamation of the material from many eras.