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Dimbulagala Raja maha Viharaya- Dimbulagala approach from Mahiyangana -
In early times it was referred to as Dhumarakkhapabbata, Udumbarapabbata. or Udumbara giri. The British called it Gunner's Quoin. Today it is popularly known as Dimbulagala. A number of Brahmi inscriptions found here is evidence to its antiquity as a forest hermitage of medieval times and holy abode from time immemorial.
In its earliest days it is said to have been the focal point of the Yama and Vessavana cults widely practised in pre-Buddhist times. It is believed that King Pandukhabhaya lived here for a short period in the 4th century before he ascended the throne and made Anuradhapura his abode. During the Anuradhapura period an important viharaya was erected here by King Devanampiyatissa . An inscription of Sundaramaha-devi in the 12th century says that five hundred monks resided their during her time. A most notable period of its history was associated with King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century, who carried out a purification of the Buddhist order with the help of Maha Kassapa Mahathera then residing in Udumbaragiri. In those days it reached international status as a centre of knowledge and leaning The viharaya is said to have conducted religious teachings in 18 languages and had religious connections with Burma and Thailand. It was also well known as an advisory centre for famous kings like Vijeyabahu 1 and Parakramabahu Nowadays pilgrims flock to this holy abode. They take the tedious pilgrims path to the summit of the rock where they worship at the famous Akasa Chaithiya. - a dagoba built in the more recent times. Some like to take a longer route and climb through the Namal Pokuna complex and reach the Akasa Chaithiya and descend through the Dimbulagala pilgrims path ending up at the modern vihara built at the foot of Dimbulagala rock.
Namal Pokuna complex just 2 kilometres apart from Dimbulagala by road, is one of a number of ancient forest hermitages in the area. Many monks from Burma and other countries are said to have lived and studied here. Today at the foot of this rock is a small temple. A climb uphill, passing the temple, along the slanting rock-face, embedded with deep rock crevices and shallow rock pools, the path winds through the shade of fruit trees and jungle cover to a grassy plain. The ruins of an ancient monastery enclosed by a stone parapet with four cardinal entrances lie here. Immediately outside the parapet on your right is a pond (nil mal vila) and the remains of a stone bridge (gal-parlama) over a dried up stream bed. The jungle path continues upwards for the more adventurous, passing caves of the ancient monastic community built into rocks with wattle and daub. Some caves are separated into many rooms including a common little verandah. Further up is a pond of curative waters or the Aushadha Pokuna ( medicinal- pond), and the mara-vidiya caves with frescos now in ruin. The trek joins the pilgrims path to the Akasa Chaithya
The descent could be made through the pilgrims path which is tedious. sometimes stepped and railed for convenience. The path is cut along the rocky face of the mountain and curves and balances precariously around boulders and ancient trees. At the bottom of the range is a modern cave temple decorated colorfully with huge statues depicting events from the life of the Buddha. Dimbulagala emerges as a solitary sentinel on the eastern skyline long before you reach it, changing shape and color luring the traveler just 16 kilometres from Polonnaruwa along the Batticaloa road. Or more dramatically you may come face to face with its mighty forest covered genesis traveling to the South from Mahiyangana. by Kishanie S. Fernando
Updated
February 10, 2007
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