Location:
Kudumbigala is located around seven miles from Panama. It is also located in close proximity to the famous bird sanctuary in the island: Kumana.
Kudumbigala Buddhist monastery was built in 246 BC, during the reign of King Dewanampiyathissa. This picturesque place provides an ideal environment for the Buddhist monk to engage in meditation as it is located away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. The monastery is nestled in the thick forest infested with wild animals, especially elephants.
The inscriptions in Brahmi script and other evidence in the recently
discovered cave, Maha Sudharshana Lena, shows that Kudumbigala was
established as an Aranya Senansanaya in the pre-Christian era. A stone
inscription has it that the Maha Sudharshana Lena was built and gifted
to the Arahats by the Giant Warrior Nandimitra, one of King Dutugemunu’s
“Dasa Maha Yodayas”: the ten giant warriors.
The Arnaya Senasanya was kept away from the visitor during the recent civil war in the North due to terrorist attacks (LTTE) on innocent civilians in the area. From time to time a large number of civilians were hacked to death by the merciless terrorists. But with the dawn of peace to the island, thanks to the efforts of the Rajapaksha rgime, Kudumbigala is once again drawing attention of the both the local and the foreign visitor. The journey to the Monastery is not an easy one but it is a challenging experience for the visitor.
As the Monastery complex is situated in an arid zone coupled with the dry wind from the sea which is a stone's throw from the location one needs to carry enough liquids to prevent dehydration.
The journey begins
The traveller made the journey at the height of the dry season.
The Kudumbigala Sanctuary
The Wooden Bell which is used to call the meditating monks for alms.
Rest, children enjoying the ardous climb.
A web novel written by Ruchi Tarin
The Wooden Bell which is used to call the meditating monks for alms.
Rest, children enjoying the ardous climb.
The famous rock formation which has the resemblance of an elephant carrying a relic casket through the forest.
Click on the image below 👇
No comments:
Post a Comment