• Latest
Handagalakanda Viharaya: A Boundless Space

Handagalakanda Viharaya: A Boundless Space

January 20, 2023
Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

March 3, 2023
Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

March 3, 2023
DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

March 3, 2023
A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

March 3, 2023
The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

February 7, 2023
Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

February 7, 2023
The Art of Local Writing

The Art of Local Writing

February 7, 2023
Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic

February 7, 2023
Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

January 11, 2023
Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

January 13, 2023
Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

January 11, 2023
Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

Good Conversations Start with Mlesna

January 11, 2023
Retail
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Subscription
Advertise
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • April 2022
        • May 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Handagalakanda Viharaya: A Boundless Space

in Featured, September 2013
0 0
0
The white Dagaba on top of the rock boulder

A white clad Buddha statue rose majestically, presenting a striking contrast with the boulder of rocks situated behind it, engulfed in green. Atop the rock, another seated Buddha Statue, and a Dagaba, gleaming in white and towering towards the sky completed the picture… or so we thought…

Words Krishani Peiris Photography Indika De Silva

A gravel road that looked almost scarlet in the scorching sun rays led us to the entrance of the Handagalakanda Viharaya, an ancient cave temple located in Ratmalgahawewa, Anuradhapura and accessible via Horowpothana-Medawachchiya road. Upon stepping into the temple grounds, our gazes were pulled towards the white Buddha statue that appeared to be newly built. Raised above a green pool of water, a narrow bridge led towards the statue so that pilgrims may approach the sacred figure to worship. Disturbing the uniformity of the pond, a thin layer of stones fashioned in a circular ring remained and we were informed that it is deemed to be the remnants of an ancient well.

Skirting around this pond, we came upon a flight of stone steps and began our ascent in the quest to see if there is more to this temple than what meets the eye. Before long we were surrounded by fascinating structures, caves and countless inscriptions scribbled onto the rocky surfaces of the caves.

Spread through an area of about 700 acres, it is believed that the Temple Complex dates back to the time of King Devanampiya Tissa (250-210 BC). Considered to have been built by sub-king Mahanaga, younger brother of King Devanampiya Tissa, the temple is also known as Chandagiri Vihara in Pali. There are several versions as to how the name ‘Handagala’ or ‘Chandagiri’ (moon rock) came to be. The most plausible might be the one that relates to the shape of the most prominent rocky outcrop, called the ‘ball rock’, within the Temple Complex. When viewed from a distance it is said that this rocky outcrop resembles the full moon rising from the eastern sky and as such since the bygone days the Temple has been known as the Handagalakanda Viharaya.

Skirting around this pond, we came upon a flight of stone steps and began our ascent in the quest to see if there is more to this temple than what meets the eye

The whole site encompasses nearly 45 caves, some easily accessible while others require much effort to reach. From these caves 15 have pre-brahmin inscriptions believed to date back to the Third Century BC while 16 more caves are engraved with post brahmin inscriptions. As such stopping by a plaque erected by the Department of Archaeology we read a description which detailed the phrase inscribed in the cave wall before us. Chiselled between the period of Third Century BC and First Century AD, the scrawling was that of early Brahim script and read ‘The cave of the chief Bhagineya Vela, the cave also of the Chief Datta, son of Ahali, given to the Sangha’.

Sitting at the steps and surveying the view from atop we were unable to tear our gazes from this breathtaking sight

On we continued to climb up through the stone steps, where etched names revealed that some of the steps were donated as recently as the early 20th Century while others showed signs of having being treaded on for centuries past. We passed by newly built structures and a pool of water bordering a rugged wall that must have persisted for a long time, collecting water droplets that dripped continuously down the rocky surface during rainy days. The few caves that we saw had dripledges carved to ensure that the water does not drip inside to disturb the serenity of the meditating monks.

Breaking the silence that was only pierced by our ceaseless pitter patter, a chanting reached our ears. What started with one voice singing praises of Lord Buddha was soon joined by countless others. The voices wove around us weaving a thread of faith and beckoning us to partake in the devout gathering. Drawing near the voices, we beheld a group of people, dressed in white and deep in their revere, seated just outside the Shrine Room. Taking care not to disturb the faithful following, we stepped into a small section before entering the Shrine Room – built into a cave – which was deluged in darkness. A steady stream of sunlight penetrated through the open door illuminating the reclining Buddha statue. The roof of the cave was decorated with paintings that were faded with age and presented a contrast with the brightly hued paintings and images that graced the entrance.

In the far distance, another white dagaba soared over the landscape pinpointing the sacred site of Mihintale

More climbing awaited us once we were outside and eagerly we clambered on to the top. A white dagaba, newly constructed and another dagaba, built from bricks in an olden time, stood facing each other at the pinnacle. Lush greenery, fragmented by lakes, gravel paths and small abodes decked the area below as far as the eye could see. In the far distance, another white Dagaba soared over the landscape pinpointing the sacred site of Mihintale. Sitting at the steps and surveying the view from atop, we were unable to tear our gazes from this breathtaking sight. Therefore we sat for a long time drinking in the beauty, which presented the perfect conclusion for our journey.

TweetShareShare
Please login to join discussion

Search

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka Online, the web edition of Sri Lanka’s leading monthly corporate publication. Founded in 1996, the magazine currently has a distribution of over 6,000 copies island-wide.

Recent News

  • Investec Cape Town Art Fair
  • Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development
  • DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

Find Us

Explore Sri Lanka
20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing
R. A. De Mel Mawatha
Colombo 04
Sri Lanka.
(+94 11) 259 7991
(+94) 715 134 134
info@btoptions.com
btoptions.com

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
      • 2011
      • 2012
      • 2013
      • 2014
      • 2015
      • 2016
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
      • 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In