Hello my fellow Architecture+Design lovers,
A few days ago, details were mentioned about a historical temple built in Sandarawala village in Galle Baddegama area. Through that content, I mentioned about the unique architectural elements of the Buddhist center of Dutugemunu Viharara located in Sandarawala. You could see the unique architectural features of the Buddhist center of Dutugemunu Viharaya. The Buddhist center of Dutugemunu Viharaya was located at the top of the hill. This content I would like to do the history related to the lower area of the temple. The reason for mentioning Dutugemunu Viharaya is to remember a brave character named king Dutugemunu who came forward to the save the country from Elara, a Tamil king of India,who ruled a part of Sri Lanka. It's said that there was a war at that time around the village of Sandarawala where this temple is located.
The entrance to the Dutugemunu Viharaya is reminiscent of the entrance to the Sanchi stupa in India. The top is carved with Buddhist emblem, and the stone pillars on either side are carved with lotus flowers. A statue has been created before entering the temple to commemorate Saranankara monk who contributed greatly to the development of the temple. Entering through stone stairs, one may see a stupa created in the past. It has not been painted recently so it has an old look. Perhaps this was done to maintain the historical value of this temple.
I got know about the origin of the name of the village called Sandarawala from a donor of that temple. At that time, before the war broke out, the Tamil king named Elara had sent a Tamil soldier names Sandara to this area to gather his entourage in this area. It was mentioned that the Tamil soldier was staying in this mountain. The last battle led by king Dutugemunu in 161 AD to save the country from south Indian invader Elara led by Sandara was the battle of Vijithapura. King Dutugemunu's elephant named Kandula fought this battle with ten great giants, which lasted for four months and king Dutugemunu won finally. The head of south Indian soldier named Sandara was severed by the sword of a ten great giant, and the pit where the head was placed is called Sandarawala. Even today, tha place is said to be a place of treasure, and it's said that a soldier named Sandara protects it as a servant.
Since the ten giants who were the most powerful contributed to the victory of king Dutugemunu in the great war of Vijithapura in driving away the south Indian invaders, ten statues of the ten giants were also created in different places on the mountain. In fact, such a architectural structures that show the greatness of history are really important for the future generations. The ten giants of king Dutugemunu's army are Nandimithra, Suranimala, Mahasona, Gotaimbara, Therapuththabhaya, Bharana, Velusumana, Khanjadeva, Phussadhewa and Labhiya vasabha. Although not giants as per the sculptures, the boldness inherent in war has been highlighted.
The main stupa of Sandarawala Dutugemunu temple is located close to the Buddhist center. At first glance, it brings a shining white color because of the new color coating. Traditional Buddhist symbols have been created on the lower four sides of the stupa. These marks vary from temple to temple. Below nave of the stupa are four circular shapes. Above it, golden scrolls are marked in a parallel line. The upper part of the stupa has highlighted some really outstanding features.
Sandarawala Dutugemunu's Viharaya also has a big Buddha statue like other temples in Sri Lanka. Although it is an old temple, it appears that this Buddha statue was built recently. It is covered with a roof so that it doesn't get wet from the rain. Buddha can be seen with the samadhi hand seal on a lotus flower. A distinctive feature s the painting of the Buddha's right hand in pink. Creating like a living Buddha is a great highlight of the sculptor's creativity. The wrinkles in the robe worn by the Buddha are also remarkable.
A little beyond the stupa, I saw a small building with beautiful shaped roof, so I walked towards it. It turned out to be a place where a offering had been performed for a Hindu deity. There were plain wooden doors and windows. The wall surrounding the upper part of the temple also has triangular shapes of two by two meters and lights are installed on its top.
The bodhi tree, which is worshipped second according to Buddhism, caught my eye next. There I got to see a unique feature that went beyond traditional Bodhi tree. A ground composed of sand to sit freely near the bodhi tree and remember the religion. Behind it is a black and stone wall. This tree does not have a long history. The surrounding golden fence is a common feature.
Through the content of temple with Buddhist architectural signs, I mentioned to you that currently twenty seven Buddhas have been born and death as well as another Buddha is to be born in the future. Accordingly, a zone containing the sculptures of the twenty eight Buddhas was displayed here. Behind the bodhi tree is this area of twenty eight small glass-encased Buddha statues.
Several old halls have been built here for the children who learn dhamma education in Sandarawala Dutugemunu Viharaya. The tops of their roofs are pointed. It is said in history that once when Sri Lanka was flooded by the sea waves, goddess Viharamaha decided to throw herself into the sea to escape it. It is also said that after she sailed in a boat from the kirinda sea,the sea calmed down. A sculpture has been built here to remember her character.
