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Yapahuwa, the ephemeral citadel, is situated on the Anuradhpura - Padeniya road in close proximity to Mahawa. Those who travel to Anuradhapura on the Anuradhapura-Padeniya road can turn right at the Daladagama junction, pass the Mahawa Railway Station and reach the ancient citadel of Yapahuwa.
Historical Background
As king Parakramabahu-2 passed away in about 1270 A.D. his son prince Vijayabahu attained the kingship. He is named as Vijayabahu-4. He was also known as Bosath Vijayabahu. However, his reign was limited only for two years. He was killed in a military coup. After that prince Buvanekabahu, who was the brother of king Vijayabahu-4 overcame the conspirators and became the king in about 1272 A.D. He is named as king Buwanekabahu-1. King Buwanekabahu-1 had to face a number of problems. As soon as he became the king a group of provincial leaders rebelled against him. During the same time several south Indain forces invaded Sri Lanka. One invasion was led by an army general named as Kalingarayara. Another platoon was led by one army general named Chodanga. The king faced all these adversaries successfully and spent a few years in Dambadeniya. Later the king selected Yapahuwa, since it was a safer place, as his capital. King Buwnekabahu-1 died in 1284.
After the demise of king Buwanekabahu-1 a dispute was started between prince Parakramabahu, the son of Bosath Vijayabahu and prince Buwanekabahu-2, the son of king Buwanekabahu-1 over the kingship. During this time a provincial leader from South India named Arya Chakrawarthi had arrived in Sri lanka with a Pandya army. Ary Chakrawarthi making use of the unstable situation in the country attacked the Yapahuwa citadel, took the 'tooth relic' to South India and handed it over to king Kulashekara who was the Pandyan king.This was a black mark for Sri Lankan royalty. Later the son of king Bosath Vijayabahu, prince Parakramabahu went to India, met the king Kulashekara, discussed with him and brought the sacred tooth relic back to Sri Lanka. After that prince Parakramabahu went to Polonnaruwa and started his ruling. Later he was known as King Parakramabahu-3. His ruling period started in 1287 A.D. But prince Buwanekabahu-2 besieged Polonnaruwa, defeated the king and brought back the sacred tooth relic to Kurunegala in about 1293 A.D. Buwanekabahu-2 made Kurunegala his capital.
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The story revolves around the following kings.
Parakramabahu-2
son- Vijayabahu ( Vijyabahu-4): Bosath Vijayabahu
son- Prince Buwanekabahu (Buwanekabahu-1)
The architect of Yapahuwa
Parakramabahu - son of Bosath Vijaya ( King Parakramabahu-3)
Buwanekabahu-2; son of king Buwanekabahu-1
When you see the giant rock at a distance automatically your mind runs to Sigiriya.
No wonder this picturesque place attracted King Buwanekabahu-1 for his citadel with the sacred 'tooth relic'. Once you pass the outer moat you enter the royal garden which is also separated with an inner moat.
The entrance at the outer moat.
The ancient Yapahuwa Rajamaha Vihara at the entrance to the citadel.
The famous flight of steps leading to the rock. The steps have been purposely made narrow , probably , to make it difficult for the invader to reach the 'tooth relic'. This the archtects might have thought would give ample time for the guards to protect the 'tooth relic'.
Mind your steps.
An forgettable experience for the traveller
A journey to heaven.
The granite steps leading to the rock bear witness to the ingenuity of the ancient Sri Lankan engineers. They must have possessed an unmatched technology to turn huge chunks of granite into beautiful creations. The precision the carved stones have been placed on each other is astonishing. How could have they done it? How did they transport the huge blocks of granite to this place? How did they position the finished blocks in such precision. The efforts the ancient sculptor has taken to leave his creativity on the granite blocks is magnificent.
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A web novel by written by Ruchi Tarin, a young Sri Lankan writer. Enjoy in your free time.
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Yapahuwa is a place worth visiting for the young student for learning about the ancient grandeur of Sri Lanka. No doubt, they would think of their forefathers with awe and understand that they were very much higher than the modern Sri Lankan both spiritually and physically. The modern Sri Lankan has to learn immensely from his ancient counterpart and what they have left behind for us.
2015 March: annual excursion Ranpokunagama Maha Vidyalaya
Each step you take to climb up the rock is a symbolic step you take towards the past. Stand up on one for a few seconds and think of your forefathers; what they have done to your motherland.
Before your college excursion the child must be properly educated on the history of Yapahuwa to let them have a life long experience with meaning. Then they will pass down this legacy to their next generation. You can request the officials at the museum to explain in brief the historic importance of Yapahuwa.
A brief lecture by an official at the museum.
Yapahuwa is a place worth visiting for the young student for learning about the ancient grandeur of Sri Lanka. No doubt, they would think of their forefathers with awe and understand that they were very much higher than the modern Sri Lankan both spiritually and physically. The modern Sri Lankan has to learn immensely from his ancient counterpart and what they have left behind for us.
Watch on Youtube👇
Before your college excursion the child must be properly educated on the history of Yapahuwa to let them have a life long experience with meaning. Then they will pass down this legacy to their next generation. You can request the officials at the museum to explain in brief the historic importance of Yapahuwa.
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