Sri Maha BodhiyaSri Maha Bodhi * The Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura * Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi "In Sri Lanka, there grows to this day, a tree, the oldest historical tree in the world which we know certainly to have been planted as a cutting from the Bodhi tree in the year 245 B.C." - H.G. Wells T*he Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura* is reckoned as the oldest surviving historical tree in the world. It was brought to Sri Lanka by the Theri Sangamitta, daughter of Emperor Asoka and was planted in the Mahameghavana Park in Anuradhapura in 249 BC by King Devanampiyatissa. It is said to be the southern branch of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. T*he Mahavamsa* or the Great Chronicle of the Sinhalese provides an elaborate account of the establishment of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in the island. Bodhi means wisdom that understands the four Noble Truths. Thus the tree which assisted Lord Buddha to achieve wisdom or enlightenment is called /Bodhi/. Living Heritage * Royal Mission to India <01.htm> * Royal Protection <02.htm> * Offerings <03.htm> * Anuradhapura abandoned <04.htm> * Daramiti Perahera <05.htm> * Annual and Daily Rituals <06.htm> * Ran Kanda: Golden Tree <07.htm> * Archaeological features <08.htm> * Administration <09.htm> * The Sacred Bodhi Tree as Rain-maker
Sri Padaya
The most famous physical feature of Ceylon is Adam's Peak, which is situated in the Ratnapura district. It is on the edge of the central massif but its surrounding group of mountains called the Wilderness of the Peak, is so extensive in comparison to the bulk of the other mountain groups that it appears to form a nucleus of its own, separate from the others. It is about 7500 ft high and, though it is the second highest peak in the land, its position in relation to the topography is so dominant that it stands out above all others.The physical features of a land are often spoken of first, by a foreign visitor. Physical descriptions compare it to a pearl and a teardrop. Lying at the southern point of India its pendant shape appears like a drop of water as it falls. South of it there is nothing but the Antarctic. It is on the major sea route between West and East Asia and therefore was a trading station for the Arabs and a trading station and a colony for the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. The Arabian Nights has possibly the first reference to it.
Now the island of Serendib lieth under the equinoctial line, its night and day both numbering twelve hours. It measureth eighty leagues long by a breadth of thirty and its width is bounded by a lofty mountain and a deep valley. The mountain is conspicuous from a distance of three days and it contains many rubies and other minerals, and spice trees of all sorts. I ascended that mountain and solaced myself with a view of its marvels which are indescribable and afterwards I returned to the King. (Sixth Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor, from The Thousand and One Arabian Nights
Seegiriya
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seegiriya *Seegiriya* (The marvel of 5th Century AD) The Vast flat-topped 200m high *Lion Rock *stands starkly above the surrounding countryside of the central forest with magnificent views over the Dry Zone and south to the the Central Highlands It was an exceptional natural site for a fortress, which were gets its name from the lions which were believed to occupy the caves. For many visitors, this impressive site is their favorite in the whole of Sri Lanka. There are stunning views from the top. In addition to the rock fortress with its palace and famous frescoes, there are extensive grounds at the base and the whole is enclosed by an outer moat which contains water. Seegiriya declared a World Heritage site in 1982. *Entry* The main bus stop is close to the bridge by the south entrance but those without a Cultural Triangle Permit have to walk round to the main West Entrance to bye their tickets. Those visiting by car may avoid the long walk from the South Entrance. There is an unofficial car park inside the inner moat. *Tickets* The gate to the site opens at 0600 but the ticket office only opens around 0700. If you wish to make an early start (avoiding groups which start arriving by 0800) buy your ticket on the previous day if you arrive in time. Allow at least 2 hrs for a visit. Very early morning is beautiful-the site still very quiet until 0730, but the late afternoon light is better for the frescoes. There can be long queues on public holidays and the rock can be very crowded from mid morning. *Guides* There are over 60 licensed guides here so competition is fierce; it is worth getting one. Charge, about Rs 300 for hrs. *Background* Hieroglyphs suggest that it was occupied by humans from very early times, long before the fortress was built. The Royal citadel (477-495 AD) was surrounded by an impressive wall and double moat; the city had the Palace and quarters for the ordinary people who built with the royal pavilions, pools and fortifications. The top of the rock has a surface area of 1.5 ha built on the precipitous edge.When the citadel ceased to be a palace, it was inhabited by monks until 1155, and then abandoned. It was rediscovered by archeologists in 1828. The Mahavanasa records that *King Kasyapa, *having killed his farther to gain the throne, lived in terror that his half-brother, who had taken refuge in India, would return to kill him. He did come back, after 18 years, to find that Kashyapa had built a combination of pleasure palace and massive fortress. Kasyapa come down from the hill to face his half-brother's army on elephant back. Mistakenly thinking he had been abounded, he killed himself with his dagger. At seegiriya, Kasyapa intended to reproduce on earth the legendary palace of Kubera, the God of Wealth, and so had it decorated lavishly with impressive gardens, cisterns and ponds. Excavations have revealed surface and underground drainage systems. For the famous frescoes he gathered together the best artists of his day.Water, a scarce commodity in the Dry Zone, was conserved and diverted cleverly through pipes and rock-cut channels to provide bathing pools for the palace above, and enhance the gardens bellow with pools and fountains. The water pumps are through to have been powered by windmills. It is through that on the islands in the water garden near the entrance, stood pavilions, while the shallow marble pools reflected the changing patterns of the clouds. Apart from the exceptional frescos, it is worth nothing that the entire site was built over a period of 7 years and effectively abandoned after 18 years. The engineering skills required for the water and fountain gardens as well as lifting water by a series of bamboo lift to the top of the rock. were remarkable for
the time. Back
KalawewaThe pinnacle of irrigation work by King Dathusena was Kalawewa. The benevolent king considered the waters his wealth and treasure. There is rich folklore based on Kalawewa. All those are stories of human interest.
Historical sources indicate that King Mahinda the II (777-797) has expanded Kalawewa.
The modern history of Kalawewa begins with rehabilitation work commissioned by the governor, Sir William Gregory during the British Period. In 1958 the bund structure was rehabilitated to combine Kalawewa to Balaluwewa.
Irrigation uncertainties of Kala Oya valley came to an end once the Mahaweli waters reached Kalawewa in 1976.
Today Kalawewa is a key reservoir in the Mahaweli System. It endows Mahaweli H Zone with hydrological lifeline. Kalawewa also is a beauty spot within the Mahaweli System.
