Sunday 20 January 2013

Tour Article Number Twenty Seven - Galabedda Biso Pokuna

When you ride from Monaragala to Ampara, after 10 kilometers you can see this notice and there was the pond located in.









This pond was belongs to Sugala Devi, who was a local princess in 12th century. The pond was made up on rock and there was a tunnel system to fill the pond. And there was a four Dragon mouths open to the pond to fill the pond. So because of these things this place was become as a very beautiful place. This was taken different art when we consider about the other ruins in this area.












And there was an ancient toilet which made from the rock caving. And this is also famous because of uniqueness. And there were signs for the rock columns around the pond.

Saturday 12 January 2013

Tour Article Number Twenty Six - Samanabadda Old Cave Temple



This place is  located in 6km away  from Ampara in Ampara-Kandy road. we can see two boards beside the road. One for Cave temple and the other road is for Pirivena. But this two places were connected through the jungle. This place is famous as historical place in the area.

When we ask about history of the temple, there is no good answer for that. because all of the investigations by Department of Archaeology has been stopped in here at long time ago. But it has been said  that the history goes to the era of King Saddathissa who was the king in this area.










There is a  “Kataram” Cave with a  Buddha statue inside it  which is special for this area because of the different features that are not common to area . Ruins of Stupa, caves etc can be  found here and there in  the jungle area .There is a epigraph and it says “Nisimi” but I do not know what is the meaning of that.

 









In the cave there is a marble Buddha statue without  head and hands. But there are signs that they were connected to the statue. The notices that has been published by archeology department were also now ruined because they have stopped visiting this place a long time ago. But taking care of this place is important.












And I must say that there are lots of places which have been neglected  by the archeological department. But I am unable to search about those people because villagers do not trust strangers. And also I can’t describe and prove  my ambition to them properly. So they do not like to say any word about the places and the history about those places. But I will try to do my best to give details about some places which can be done with my capacity. Awubovan….. !