MOST ADORABLE AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN SRI

LANKA

Presentation By – Shalina Tharuka Kulathunge

Tamil Hindus consider it as the footprint of Lord Shiva. It is also fabled that the mountain is the legendary mount Trikuta the capital of Ravana during the Ramayana times from where he ruled Lanka.

Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka ascribe it to where Adam, the first Ancestor, set foot as he was exiled from the Garden of Eden. The legends of Adam are connected to the idea that Sri Lanka was the original Eden, and in the Muslim tradition that Adam was 30 ft tall.

ADAM’S PEAK

Sri Pada (also Adam's peak;

Sinhalese Samanalakanda - "butterfly

mountain", Tamil Sivanolipatha Malai ), is a

2,243 meters (7,359 ft) tall conical mountain

located in central Sri Lanka. It is well known

for the Sri Pada "sacred footprint", a 1.8

meters (5 ft 11 in) rock formation near the

summit, in Buddhist tradition it is held to be

the footprint of the Buddha, in Hindu

tradition that of Shiva and in Muslim and

Christian tradition that of Adam.

Anuradhapura is one

of the ancient capitals of Sri

Lanka, world famous for its

well preserved ruins of the

Great Sri Lankan Civilization.

The Civilization which was

built upon this city was one

of the greatest civilizations

of Asia and in the world.

The city now a

UNESCO heritage site, lies

205 km north of the current

capital Colombo in the North

Central Province of Sri

Lanka, on the banks of the

historic Malvathu Oya.

ANURADHAPURA

RUWANMALISAYA

The Ruwanmalisaya is a

stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a

marvel for its architectural qualities

and sacred to many Buddhists all

over the world.

It was built by King

Dutugemunu c. 140 B.C., who

became lord of all Sri Lanka after a

war in which the Chola King Elara,

was defeated. It is also known as

Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya,

Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and

Rathnamali Dagaba.

A Moonstone from Anuradhapura

, Anuradhapura was the cradle of glorious

Sinhalese Buddhist civilization. The pride

of place in Anuradhapura was taken by the

ancient stupas and ancient reservoirs.

Towering stupas (dagobas) of stupendous

domes, the marvels of ancient civil

engineering, were built having taken into

the account the effects of lightening on

high rise constructions, among numerous

other engineering factors. The vast

rainwater reservoirs built by crossing

rivers with enormous dams and controlling

the outlets with "Bisokotuwa" (Sinhala: Q

The ancient city of Anuradhapura is

surrounded by three great man-made

lakes

JAYA SIRI MAHA BODHI

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a scared figftree in Anuradaha pura,Sri lanka. It is said to be the southern branch from the historical Bodhi tree Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodho gaya in India.under which Lord Buddha attained EnlightmentIt was planted in 288 BC, and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. Today it is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhst in Sri Lanka and respected by Buddhists all over the world.

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In 249 BC, it was planted by King Devanampiya Tissa on a high terrace about 6.5 m (21.3 ft) above the ground in the and surrounded by railings.

SAMADHI STATUE The Samadhi Statue is a statue situated at Mahamevnāwa 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.

ABAYAGIRI DAGOBA

The Abayagiri Dagoba in Anuradhapura.

Abhayagiri vihāra is situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the nation. 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.

The Abhayagiri dagoba.

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 2nd century BC, it had grown into an international institution by the 1st century AD, attracting scholars from all over the world and encompassing all shades of Buddhist philosophy.

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KUTTAM POKUNA

The Kuttam Pokuna

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. A garden was landscaped whicheparates 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.

POLONNARUWA

Polonnaruwa is a town and valuble kindom in sri lankan History. It's the main town of Polonnaruwa District in the North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa, remains as the royal ancient city of polonnaru kingdom.The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the CholNumber of most valuble scret places inside in polonnaruwa kindom.

GAL VIHARAYAThe Gal Vihara , 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

PARAKRAMA SAMUDRA

Surface area 22,600,000 m2Average depth 5 m (Mean)Max. depth 12.7 mSurface elevation 58.5 m

Parakrama Samudra (or Parakrama's sea or the Sea of King Parakrama) is a shallow reservoir, consisting of three separate reservoirs connected by narrow channels in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.

parakkrama samudrya is the main water resorse in Sri Lanka. it is most useful to Sri Lankan agricultural and Sri Lankan economy.

every year number of visitors visit this tank for enjoy.

VATADAGE

The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Polonnaruwa period of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the tooth relic of the Buddha, or during the reign of Nissanka Malla to hold the alms bowl used by theBuddha. Both These venerated relics would have given the structure a great significance and importance athe “ time. Located within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, it is the best preserved example of a vatadage in the country, and has been described athe "ultimate development" of this type of architecture.

The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is located in a quadrangular area known as the Dalada Maluva in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

The Dalada Maluva contains some of the oldest and most sacred monuments of the city.[ The Polonnaruwa Vatadage, which occupies most of the south western area of it, is a prominent structure among them.

It is the best preserved example of a Vatadage in the country, and is somewhat similar in design to those belonging to the Anuradhapura period, especially Thuparamaya and Lankaramaya.

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 becauseit 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 UNESCOworld heritage site partly due to the temple.

TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH

Sri Lanka Kandy, the Historic and Romantic hill capital of Sri Lanka Kandy is situated 115 kilometers inland from Colombo. Sri Lanka Kandy The road to Kandy is enchanting and exciting revealing the full glory- of the tropics. Sri Lanka Kandy Everything is in the most effulgent luxuriance, Sri Lanka Kandy throbbing with silver and green.

Kingdom of Kandy was an important independent monarchy of the island of Lanka, located in the central and easter Sri Lanka Kandy city established in the 15th century was the last royal Sri Lanka Kandy capital where 2500 years of royal rule ended. Sri Lanka Kandy This bustling market town is Sri Lanka Kandy rich in cultural diversity has plenty of iteneries to offer to the tourists n portion of the island. It was founded in late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century.

DEGALDORUWA RAJA MAHA VIHARAYA

Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya

Sri Lankans, who did art as a subject during their school days, may heard about the paintings at Degaldoruwa Rajamaha Viharaya. This temple is so famous for the Kandian style paintings.

This hidden gem of art is located close to Lewella, Kandy and it is not far away from city center. From Lewellwa take Sirimalwatta road cross the bridge then take the turn to right hand side.

SIGIRIYA

Sigiriya is a place with a large stone and ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Central Province, Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is alsorenowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the eight 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 of the Buddhist Sangha

In AD477, prince Kashyapa seized the throne from King Dhatusena, following a coup assisted by Migara, the king’s nephew and army commander. Kashyapa, the king’s son by a non-royal consort, usurped the throne from the rightful heir, Moggallana, who fled to South India.

Fearing an attack from Moggallana, Kashyapa moved the capital and his residence from the traditional capital of Anuradhapura to the more secure Sigiriya. During King Kashyapa’s reign (477 to 495), Sigiriya was developed into a complex city and fortress] Most of the elaborate constructions on the rock summit and around it, including defensive structures, palaces, and gardens, date back to this period.

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SINHARAJA FOREST

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility, and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988. The reserve's name translates as Kingdom of the Lion.

Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces, Sri Lanka

Location:-

88.64 km2 (34.22 sq mi)

Area:-

April, 1978Established:-

The reserve is only 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants and the 15 or so leopards are rarely seen. The most common larger mammal is the endemic Purple-faced Langur.

THE END

These are some of adorable historical places in my mother land, we must love and protect them.

It’s our obligation. Thank you,

………………

Shalina