Zeylanica

As one of our journeys in exploring Sri Lanka, my beautiful motherland we planned a visit to the Anuradhapura cultural triangle, Minneriya Wildlife Sanctuary and Sigiriya Rock fortress. When we left Minneriya National park, the next stop was Sigiriya. At that point one of my friends came up with this idea of visiting Pidurangala, an ancient Buddhist monastery dated back to same age of Sigiriya rock fortress. Since Sigiriya is frequently visited and Pidurangala is a place yet to be explored we picked Pidurangala over Sigiriya.

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Pidurangala is located one kilometer form Sigiriya. It is said to be the temple of the kingdom of Sigiriya. Even though authorities and visitors payed numerous attention to Sigiriya, Pidurangala has been, fortunately or unfortunately, overlooked. Only few dozen of visitors to Sigiriya visits this wonderful Buddhist cave temple. I heard that the name “Pidurangala” was created by Pidu + Ran + Gala, which means “worshiped golden rock”. It has also been noted the flowers carried by the maidens depicted in the Sigiriya frescoes face the Buddha image at Pidurangala, giving the impression that they were making their way to Pidurangala.

There is a Buddhist monastery at the bottom of 200m high Pidurangala.

Piduranhala Buddhist monastery – Entrance to Budumadura

Pidurangala Buddhist Monastery – Budumadura

From a side of Budumadura there is a small path through the forest up to the rock. The path to Buddha statue and mediation caves has been repaired recently into steps now. Even though it is so hot in day time during this season, when we enter in to forest area, it is a cooler atmosphere there. Farther up in the path there are ruins of about 6-7 meditation caves.

Path through rocks – Pidurangala

Farther above there is a reclining Buddha statue. It is one of the largest reclining Buddha statues created with bricks and mortar. Head and chest area of this wonderful creation has been dug by treasure thieves and repaired lately. But the top mortar layer has not been replaced.

Reclining Buddha statue – Pidurangala

There is no path beyond this statue, but through rocks you can climb up to the summit of the rock. Path is difficult but manageable (Not recommended for elder people or children). At the summit you can see beautiful Sigiriya Fortress.

Sigiriya rock to top of Pidurangala

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sunset at Pidurangala

Contributors, Culture, Danushka Senadheera, History, Icons, Places, Travel, Wildlife Buddha Statues, Cave temples, Pidurangala, rock temples, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

It was on 31st of January 2009, we packed our camera gear and started our journey to the sacred land of Anuradhapura. Our first stop was the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, the place where the sapling from the historical Bodhi tree under which Buddha came to Enlightenment. I managed to capture some sculptures in the vicinity of the sacred surroundings;

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

Our second stop was at Ruwanweli Seya, It Is considered as one of the world’s architectural marvels as well as a sacred place for all the Buddhists around the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu or Duttagamini who became king of Sri Lanka after defeating the Chola King Elara. The stupa is one of the world’s tallest monuments, standing at 300 ft (92 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (292 m).

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

We spent some time at Ruwanweli Seya and headed to Jetavanaramaya, a stupa located among the ruins of the Jetavana Monastery, Anuradhapura. This massive stupa was built by King Mahasen (273-301 AD).

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

The Jetavana stupa is over 400 feet (120 m) in height, and is one of the tallest stupas in the world (the tallest being Phra Pathom Chedi, Thailand). It is renowned as the largest brick building of that era, and 3rd largest structure in the ancient world, after the two largest of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Approximately 93,300,000 baked bricks were used to build the stupa. This stupa belongs to the Sagalika sect. The compound covers approximately 8 acres (5.6 hectares) and once housed over 3000 Buddhist monks. One side of the stupa is 576 feet (176 m) long, and the flights of stairs at each of the four sides of it are 28 feet (8.5 m) wide. The doorpost to the shrine, which is situated in the courtyard, is 27 feet (8.2 m) high. The stupa has a 6m deep foundation, and sits on bedrock. Stone inscriptions in the courtyard give the names of people who donated to the building effort

ANCIENT STONE CARVINGS OF JETAVANARAMAYA

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

I managed to capture some ancient stone carvings around the Jetavanaramaya stupa;

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

We continued our journey to the all famous “Kuttam Pokuna” (Twin Ponds). This is one of the best examples to showcase the architectural and engineering standards of the ancient Sri Lankans.

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

A garden was landscaped which separates the two ponds which is 18 1/2 ft in length. The larger of the two pools is 132ft by 51 ft and the smaller pool is 91ft by 51 ft. The depths of the smaller pool and the larger pool are 14ft and 18ft respectively.

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Arantha Sirimanne

To Be Continued ….

Arantha Sirimanne, Contributors, Culture, History, Places, Travel Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanweliseya Stupa, Sri Lanka History Culture Anuradhapura Relics