srilanka - Mirisavatiya Dagoba

Mirisavetiya Dagoba, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka Located among many other important sites
Mirisavatiya Dagoba is one of cluster of sites we will be visiting in a ride along the banks of the Tissa Wewa reservoir. The area is pleasant to stroll along too. Mirisavatiya Dagoba, which is identical to & only slightly smaller than the celebrated & adored Ruwanweliseya Stupa, is almost across the road from the Tissa wewa Rest House. Surrounded by the ruins of monasteries on three sides, the dagoba is only a kilometer to the east of Sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree. The site still remains largely unexcavated.

The first monument built by the Hero of the Nation
This was the first monument built by the hero of the nation, victorious King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna (161-136 BC) after his consecration, enshrining an ornate kunta (scepter) which contained a sacred relic of Buddha. The scepter which was left implanted here in the bank by the king when he visited the tank could not on his return be pulled out from the ground by any means. The dagoba was constructed herein following this incident which was taken as an auspicious sign. King Dutugamunu went on to build Ruwanweliseya Stupa too.

How to say sorry in style
At the dagoba's consecration, King Dutugamunu dedicated the monument to the Sangha (Buddhist monks), in compensation for his failure to make an offering to Buddhist Bhikkus before having a rice & curry meal well spiced with Chilies (Miris). The minor failure & the sterling compensation say a lot about the religious traditions & reverence towards the monks by the Sinhalese.

Are you in search of illusive class?
Having slain Dravidian invader Elara in a duel (both warriors mounted on elephants & throwing spears) in the final epic battle at Vijitapura, Anuradhapura, King Dutugamunu (161-136 BC) built a memorial tomb for his defeated enemy. The hero of the nation also decreed whoever go passing the tomb get off the vehicle or mount & walk within the vicinity. Obeying to the decree a Kandyan aristocrat (1815 AD) paid with his life, being outpaced by his enemies.

Rebuilt after being destroyed by the marauding Dravidian invaders form South India
After a Chola invasion by the Dravidian invaders from South India, the dagoba was completely rebuilt during the reign of King Kasyapa the fifth (929-938 AD) in 930 AD.

Refectory
Northeast of dagoba are the remains of a refectory, complete with enormous stone rice troughs held enough for 1000 individual servings. This would be a definite indication as to the thousands of Buddhist Bhikkus (monks) that would have inhabited in the monasteries.

srilanka SIGIRIYA - The Lion Mountain

SIGIRIYA - The Lion Mountain

 

 

Sigiriya, in fact, should have been classed as one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, long ago, and there is now a proposal to name it as the Eighth Wonder of the world. Perhaps, it is better late than never!

Sri Lanka's ancient architectural tradition is well portrayed at Sigiriya, the best preserved city centre in Asia from the first millennium, with its combination of buildings and gardens with their trees, pathways, water gardens, the fusion of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements, use of varying levels and of axial and radial planning. Sophisticated city planning was at the heart of Sigiriya, this royal citadel of ancient fame from the days of Sri Lanka's memorable past.

The Complex consists of the central rock, rising 200 meters above the surrounding plain, and the two rectangular precincts on the east (90 hectares) and the west (40 hectares), surrounded by  two moats and three ramparts.

The plan of the city is based on a precise square module. The layout extends outwards from co-ordinates at the centre of the palace complex at the summit, with the eastern and western axis directly aligned to it. The water garden, moats and ramparts are based on an ‘echo plan’ duplicating the layout and design on either side. This city still displays its skeletal layout and its significant features. 3 km from east to west and 1 km from north to south it displays the grandeur and complexity of urban-planning in 5th century Sri Lanka.

Lion's paws gate at Sigiriya Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka

Ruins of the Palace Complex at the top of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka
Sigiriya mountain. sri lanka in Sri Lanka

1. King Kasyapa’s Fortress Palace

o    The first theory about the creation and purpose of Sigiriya connects the complex to the reign (from 477 to 496 AD) of King Kasyapa. According to legend, Kasyapa built the structures atop the summit of the rock after murdering his father, King Dhatusena (walling him up alive) and seizing power from his half-brother, Mogallana. The palace and fortress were built to protect the usurper from the avenging armies of Mogallana.

Buddhist Monastery

o    Lonely Planet outlines a different theory about Sigiriya supported by “archaeological, literary, religious and cultural evidence, rather than local legend.” This theory proposes that Sigiriya functioned as a “long-standing Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist monastery built several centuries before the time of King Kasyapa.” As early as the 3rd century BC, the site operated as a hermitage and had developed into an important monastery by the 10th century AD (and abandoned after the 14th century).

Frescoes

o    Remnants of plaster and pigment remain throughout the site. Although only a fraction of the approximately 500 images remain the frescoes of Sigiriya “represent the earliest surviving examples of a Sri Lanka school of classical realism” according to Discoversrilanka.com. The still-visible images of women have been variously interpreted as “Heavenly Maidens,” ladies of the Kasyapan court, “Lightning Princess and Cloud Damsels” and, according to Lonely Planet, Tara Devi, a Mahayana Buddhist goddess.

Mirror Wall Graffiti

o    According to DiscoverSriLanka.com, a path runs up the western and northern sides of the Sigiriya rock to “provide access to the seeming inaccessible summit.” This path is protected by a 9 1/2 foot high plaster wall so highly polished and glazed that “even today, after fifteen centuries of exposure to sun, wind and rain, one can see one’s reflection in it.” Called the Mirror Wall, it displays the writings of visitors to the Sigiriya complex between the 7th and 11th centuries AD. As the graffiti is translated, it offers scholars a valuable historical resource.

Lion Rock

o    When climbing the pathway of the rock to the summit, a platform emerges halfway up the north side. Here once sat the giant lion that gave Sigiriya, “Lion Rock,” its name. In order to reach the summit of the rock, travelers had to pass between the lion’s paws and through its mouth. DiscoverSriLanka.com notes that “based on the ideas described in some of the graffiti, this Lion staircase could be visualized as a gigantic figure towering majestically against the granite cliff, facing north, bright coloured and awe-inspiring.” Today, only the paws and several steps remain

Panorama by http://www.360cities.net

Srilanka .. Dambulla cave tempel

There are five caves  in Dambulla temple. All of these caves arc full of statues of Buddha and various personages of the Buddhist Order or History. There are 150 Buddha images in these caves. Cave No. 5  has no historical value as it was done in the second decade of this century. All of the other caves contain statues and paintings representing various epochs of Sinhalese sculpture and painting.The early paintings of Dambulla are believed by some to belong to the 8th century A. C. But this cannot be proved at all because of over painting. Nevertheless this place is a mine of decorative designs, the patterns of which resemble those of Sigiriya. To a student of the history of Buddhism a careful study of the paintings of Dambulla provides a good deal of source material.

Reclining Buddha Cave Temple Dambulla, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka
Cave Temple Dambulla, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka
Reclining Buddha Cave Temple Dambulla, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka

panaroma by http://www.360cities.net

B4U  leave dont foget write somthing

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