Tour Article Number Twenty Four - Bogoda Bridge

Bogoda Bridge? What was that? We heard about that but do not know about that. Here about that bridge. This bridge is located in Badulla district. And this is a very beautiful place to visit but little bit difficult way to travel because of narrow roar. first go to Haliela then turn to the Etampitiya road few kilometers ahead you will find the Bogoda Rajamaha Viharaya. Bridge is also in Vihara premises. From the terrace to 100 steps down we can see the bridge and the cave temple.

This is a very special Bridge because of some reasons. One of the most important one is this is the unique bridge which has a roof. Before you come to cave temple you can see this roof from the steps. some of people thinks constructions of this bridge is goes to dambadeni period (1220-1270 ad) but some of them thinks it was kandyan period (1747-1780 ad) by Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe who is the king in that period. However this bridge is the one and only bridge which construct only from the wood. And it was 50 feet long and 6 feet with the width.

Another thing is this bridge has a roof with made by wood which is 8 feet high. And it has wooden engravings which is similar kandyan period engravings. Bridge was used to get a beautiful finish to the lebensraum. And here do not use any iron nails, only used wooden unions. Bridge was on two wooden logs. There is a banister to keep safe the passengers.

This bridge was joining the Maha Kumbura and Kekatiya Maluwa villages. And the bridge was still there vigorously. And there is epigraphs say that the cave near the temple was used to hide by the king Walagamba. And there is an idea that the residence places for the monks were constructed by the King Rajasinghe. 

Here is more Photos :)