Ambagamuwa Inscriptions

Pineapple Corer Slicer Peeler Cutter

KNUCKLES Mini world's end

Ravana Story at MEEMURE | Part 01

Red Coral

Rudraksha (Which Rudraksha should you wear)

Deanston Mini World's End at Knuckles Range

Deanston is a Distillery in the village of the same name right in the middle of Scotland. However, there is another Deanston which is surrounded by rough highlands. This less-known Deanston is situated right in the centre of the tropical island of Sri Lanka, not far from Kandy. Nonetheless, Deanston in Knuckles Range is still a charming hiking destination off the beaten path. By the way, there is not only a Deanston in Sri Lanka, many hillcountry location bear British toponyms.

Sri Lanka’s Deanston is the location of a Forest Department Conservation Centre, also known as Knuckles Information Centre. Only few foreign tourists have found their way to Deanston until now. Some travellers cross it on their way to Corbett’s Gap and Meemure, which is Sri Lanka’s best trekking area. However, Deanston is definitely worth a stop. It’s the starting point for a hike to a place called Mini World’s End, which is a magnificent vantage point in Knuckles Range in the northeast of Sri Lanka’s highlands. But there is good news for travellers who don’t dare to spend a lot of time for exhausting trekking in this area. At Deanston, you can reach all places of interest within half an hour and completely without any elaborate trekking equipment. Hikers will not get lost on their way from Deanston to this spectaculat viewpoint, as there’s only one path (crossing one fence by a ladder). A signboard at the road close to the information centre says: Mini World’s End is in only 1.1 km distance. However, the round trip will be a hike of 3 km altogether, managable even for those whose favourite holiday activity is not yet hiking. Try this walk. You will not regret it. The view at Mini World’s End is breathtaking.

The name “Mini World’s End” might be misleading for some first-time Sri Lanka travellers, as “Little World’s End” is the name of a quite famous panoramic viewpoint at Horton Plains. But that “Little Worls’s End” is  in the very south of the hillcountry, just as it’s brother “Big World’s End”. Both of them are within day-trip distance from Nuwara Eliya and require a hike of about 4 hours in Horton Plains National Park. Don’t confuse those two ends of the world with “Mini World’s End”, they are 120 km away from Deanston, not 1.1 km. The World’s End at Deanston – the “Mini”, not the “Little” - can be reached more easily from Kandy and it’s in only half an hour walking distance from the car park. Even more condusing: The “World’s End” at Deanston is not at all “mini”. It is simply great. What’s more mini here, is this: The cliff is not as high as at Horton Plains. However, the view is much wider, it’s a 270 degree panorama at Mini World’s End. In this respect, Denaston’s “Mini World’s End” is even bigger than Horton Plain’s “Big World’s End”.

The road distance from Kandy is about 60 km, this means, it’s 160 km from Colombo. Starting in Kandy, you have to take the A 26 “highway”to Mahiyangana via Tedeniya. At the highest point of the mountain road, in the village of Hunnasgiriya, you have to turn left, taking the side road to Corbett’s Gap and Meemure. Only the first 10 kilometres of this side road are in a good condition. You have good luck, as Deanston is in only 8 kilometres dsitance from Hunnasgiriya. All in all, it’s very easy to visit it on the way from Kandy to Mahiyangana town or toMaduru Oya National Park or to the East Coast. Thie hours more will be enough for this highly recommendable detour. And what’s best: Not many foreign tourists know this place, as most guidebooks don’t mention this wonderful place. It’s not as crowded as Big World’s End. Probably, you will meet nobody else or some locals at Mini World’s End.  

Our Lanke Excursions Holidays Team can arrange accommodation for you in this area, too, in the villagers of Meemure or - permission of the Forest Department provided - on a camp side close to Deanston. The camp is situated at the other side of the road. It’s also a place with amazing views. A waterfall is close-by, at the trail to Dothalugala Peak.

Place where King Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe was Captured – Tree and stone pillar to be a tourist attraction

To reach the monument you need to go to the small town of Medamahanuwara, then walk for 10 minutes to reach the location. The path is poorly marked, because this isn't a place dear to Kandyan hearts: it's where their last king, fleeing Kandy and seeking refuge, instead surrendered to trackers who turned him over to British captivity. Indeed, were it up to the Kandyans, there would be no monument at all. The stone was instead placed by the government agent in Kandy in 1908, almost a century after Sri Wikrama Rajasinha was captured in 1815. He was taken to exile in India, where he died in 1830.

After the fall of city of Kandy in February 1815 to the British rule, Eheylapola Maha Adhikaram (who was one of the main conspirators who helped the British to take over Kandy) sent a group of his people to help the British to capture the king who had escaped from the palace. After several days this team found that the king was in hiding in the area of "Bomure"

What happened after the Eheylapola's gang headed by Ekneligoda Nilame surrounded the house in which the king was hiding on the 18th of February 1815, was published by C.T.A Dias (who was a translator who participated in the group who captured Kandy) in the 1861 April issue of Sinpala publication.

After a brief resistance, The king appeared delivered himself. The gang of Ekneligoda Nilame pulled the king out of the house and stole every valuable worn by the king and the queen. One of the goons called "Kiriporuwe Mohottala" tore the queen Venkathi Rangammal's earlobes to steal the earrings worn by her. The queen with the bleeding earlobes, fearing for her life ran in to the house.

The Tholkamudali called Dias who was with this crowd; called the queen with due respect and the queen now in her white undergarments (all the cloths being stolen) came out and asked for protection from him. The Tholkamudali got some hebal plants treated her bleeding earlobes.

Meanwhile the Ekneligoda Nilame asked his goons for brings some creeper to tie the king. The Tholkamudali distressed at the way the king is being treated told the Ekneligoda Nilame, "Sir, we have been under British rule for a long time and we do not consider him as our king but he has been your king until now and you (the Kandyans) have been calling him with great respect up to now." and offered his Satakaya (an Indian Toga) to tie him. But the Ekneligoda Nilame refused it and tied the king with creepers and delivered to the British. Thus ended the probably the longest Royal dynasty in the world which survived in Sri Lanka since 6th century BC (over 2350 years)

The king is remembered by Kandyans as a tyrant, which helps to explain why he was captured by his own people. Their leader, Eheylapola, had his own motive: revenge. The king had earlier tried to punish him for insurrection. Failing to capture him, the king had instead ordered the execution of Eheylapola's wife and young children. Their courage facing death is legendary in Sri Lanka today, although the king himself, when assailed by the British for such barbarity, insisted that he had acted according to Kandyan law and custom. J. Penry Lewis, who erected the monument, quotes a source as follows:

"On the following morning the gratifying intelligence was received at Headquarters that the King had been surrounded on the morning of the preceding day (i.e., on February 18, 1815) by some Kandyans of the Province of Dumbara... at a place... very near to Meydemahanoowera." Lewis also quotes from Henry Marshall's Ceylon, which offers these additional details: "It appears that the few Malabar attendants remaining with the King made some resistance, and wounded one of the assailants under the command of Eheylopola, on which the party fired upon the house. The King then appeared and delivered himself up. His pursuers forthwith bound and plundered him of whatever articles of value he had on his person." The stolen garments of the king Sri Vickrama Rajasinghe and the blood soaked garments of the queen Venkathi Rangammal was taken home by the Kiriporuwe Mohottala and hidden inside a wooden chest. These chests (with its contents) after being owned by several generations were recovered by teacher in 1930's (after about 115 years) that followed a story he heard in the village. In 1941 these cloths (including the blood soaked blouse) were handed over to the National Museum of Sri Lanka and even today these clothes show the cruel ending of the last king of a proud nation.

Ambagamuwa Inscriptions – අඹගමුව සෙල් ලිපි

Ambagamuwa inscriptions (epigraphs) are considered as one of the main sources of information in Polonnaruwa Era.

According to chronicles the king rested here en route to Sri Pada with his retinue while on pilgrimage.  The inscription has been made on the 36th year of King Vijayabahu I (1070-1110). These are engraved on 2 rocks which are 12 feet 3 inches x 9 feet 3 inches and the the other 9 feet 4 inches x 9 feet 7 inches in size.

These inscriptions describe the defeat of the Tamil invading forces by the King Vijayabahu I and bringing country under one rule, it also describes the work done by the king to the people and donations made to the Sri Pada pilgrims and the Sri Pada.

This inscription is located ab0out 400 meters from the Nawalapitiya – Ginigathhena Road (B319) at a vilage called Sellipigama in the Ambagamuwa town.

Unfortunately there is no archeology department board at the turn off to Sellipigama on the Nawalapitiya road. Either its broken down or never installed. The only indication is a cemented notice board on the ground at the top of the tiny road. This notice lies on the left of the road so that it is visible only if you are traveling from Nawapitiya.

This is a small tared road with most of the tar washed away. Travel about 400 meters along this road. This road will folk in to 3 small roads at about 200 meters and you need to take the left most road.

Kotagapitiya Ambalama – කොටගපිටිය අම්බලම

Kotagapitiya is a small village in Kothmale and is best known as the village that prince Dutugemunu ( who later liberated the island from invadors and became King Dutugemunu) lived most of his younger life hidden from his father after sending him female jewellery.

A small Ambalama lies on the narrow road to Kotagapitiya (Kotagepitiya) which is believed to be built by the prince. Known as the Kotagapitiya Ambalama, it is built on a square platform made of granite blocks.  The roof is held by four finely cut granite pillars.

two benches on the two oppersite sides are also made of granite. The roof is now covered in corrugated tin roofing sheets.  Two granite balustrades decorate the entrance of the ambalama. Carvings of a lion and a elephant in addition to some carvings of creepers can be seen on these balustrades.

Alternate Names : “Kotagepitiya Ambalama”

Ambalama Heritage of Sri Lanka – ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ පුරාණ අම්බලම්

Kothmale Reservoir/Dam

Kothmale Reservoir/Dam

The Kotmale project is one of five major headworks projects being undertaken under the Accelerated   Mahaweli Ganga scheme. it is the most upstream of these projects and develops the hydro potential of a major right bank tributary of the Mahaweli Ganga, the Kotmale Oya.

The Kotmale Oya flows through the rural up-country of Sri Lanka passing ancient villages steeped in history and tea plantations of a more recent ara. The tranquility of this river valley has been changed recently with the construction work of the Kotmale Hydropower reservoir. Financial assistance for the project has been provided by the government of Sweden

The Kotmale Hydro-electric project

The Kotmale project was one of the first projects taken up under the Accelerated programme for development of the Mahaweli ganga. The basic elements of the project are a dam on the Kotmale Oya ( a tributary of the Mahaweli ganga) and a tunnel system leading to a power station with the outfall of the mahaweli ganga. The primary function of the project is the generation of electric power. Additional benefits will arise from an increase in the amount of irrigation water available at Polgolla due to regulation of flows in the Kotmale Oya.

Consultancy services :

Preliminary studies of the Kotmale project were carried out by the Government of Sri Lanka with the assistance of US Agency for International Development (USAID) in 1961 and subsequently by UNDP-FAO from 1964 to 1968. a feasibnility study of the project was carried out by the water and Power Development Consultancy Services (India) Limited (WAPCOS) from 1973 to 1976.

Sir William Halcrow and Partners in association with Messrs Kennedy & Donkin and the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) were appointed in 1979 fto provide consultancy services

Construction work commenced in February 1979. The reservoir was impounded in November 1984 and commercial power generation commenced in June 1985. The project was ceremonially commissioned in August 1985.

Scope

The Kotmale project envisages the construction of a 87 m (285 ft.) high Rockfill dam with a concrete membrane across the Kotmale Oya, an important right bank tributary in the upper reaches of the Mahaweli ganga about 25 miles upstream of the Polgolla barrage constructed under Project I of the Master Plan.

The Kotmale project was mainly for the development of hydro power and the regulated discharge from the reservoir to increase the flow diverted at the Polgolla barrage into the proposed Moragahakanda reservoir for augmenting the irrigation suppled in systems. The reservoir would reduce flood peaks and their frequency, thus alleviated the floods in the Gampola area below it.

The dam would create a reservoir having an effective storage capacity of about 174 m. cm. (141,000 acre feet) enabling regulation of a large proportion of the recorded mean annual flow of the Kotamale oya at the dam site. The water impounded by the reservoir would be conveyed through an underground water conductor system to an underground power station located at about 7.2 km. (4.5 miles) from the dam for generation of electric power. After power generation, this water will be discharged through the outfall into the mahaweli ganga at the Atabaghe Oya confluence.

In addition to the generation of power, the regulated waterwill improve the pattern of inflows of the Mahweli ganga at the existing Polgolla diversion dam. This will firm up the power benefits from Ukuwela power station and serve to increase the irrigation water supplies from the Bowatenne dam.

Location and Access

The dam site is at Kadadora located about 6.6 km (4.1 mls) upstream of the confluence of Kotmale Oya with Mahaweli ganga at a place where the river enters a narrow and deep valley with steep banks. It is close to the Pussellawa-Ulapane highway and is 12 miles from Gampola town and 88 miles from Colombo. The nearest railhead is Ulapone, 7 miles away.

The power house is underground and situated in the belly of the Atabage Mountains, about 6.4 km (4 mls) downstream of the Kotmale Oya – Mahaweli ganga confluence. the project headworks lie on the right bank of the mahaweli ganga and is partly in the Kandy district and partly in the Nuwara Eliya district. Access to the main project headworks can be thourgh two routes. One is from the new access road constructed from the Gampola – Nuwara Eliya road just outside Gampola town, which passes close to the underground power station and joins the Ulapane- Pussellawa road. The other is though the latter road from Ulapane which passes close by the right abutment of the dam.

The Kotmale Oya has its beginning in the South Central massif at an elevation of 2134 m.(7000 ft.) and is about 70 km. (43.3 mls) in lengh draining a toatal area of 58,534 ha.(226 sq.mls) and dropping 1,585 m (5,200 ft) before meeting the Mahaweli ganga. Rainfall data from 1907 onwards are available for this region.

Main features :

- A rockfill dam 87.0 m high and 600 m long
- A chute spillway with a capacity of 5500m3/Sec. consisting of 3 radial gates 14x15m
- A hourse shoe shaped 6.4, diameter low pressure tunnel system nearly 7.0 Km. long with a capacity of 113.3m3/Sec (4000 cusecs)
- A high pressure shaft with diameter varying from 4.8 – 5.5 m
- An underground power station with an installed capacity of 3x67 MW.
- An access tunnel providing access to the power station and a tail-race tunnel to discharge the water after generation of power.

Historical Background

In the history of country, Kotmale enjoys a very special place. This is due for no other reason than the fact that King Dutugemunu, who is acknowledged as our greatest King, spent his youth in the mountains and valleys of Kotmale. This history, the story of Dutugamunu is familiar to us all. The stream he bathed in is here; the village he lived in is here; the field he tilled is here. The story of his life at Kotmale is part of the folklore, idiom and life of this valley and its people.

From that historic epoch in which Dutugemunu lived, his name and message beckons to all generations that follow. Many are the lessons that we can learn and should learn from his life, his work, his vision and his leadership. In my view, the most important of these lessons is the need for thought and action in keeping with the demands of our time.

Inherited Lands :

More than 3,000 families who lived in the Kotmale valley had to lose their homes and lands, some of them inherited through a continuity of nearly twenty centuries. They were given alternate land on higher elevations of Kotmale itself or in Kalawewa, Maduru-oya, and Ulhitiya, which are being developed under the Accelerated Mahaweli programme.

Geology:

The Kotmale area has had a history of earthslips, landslips, and other geological disturbances. Owing to this great care had to be taken in the design of the various features of the project. Soon after construction work was awarded and during the early stages of the dam construction, when excavations of the riverbed were in progress, the presence of a limestone layer underneath the bed rock below the dam and extending up to the reservoir, was discovered. These and other adverse features led to a through investigation of all the geological features in order to see whether there are practical problems liked landslides above the reservoir leakage of water through the dam foundation into adjoining valleys, earth tremors, etc. which could seriously affect the stability of the project.

Rudraksha 1 mukhi - 21 mukhi

Rudraksha term is used both for the berries themselves and as a term for the type of mala made from them. There is a long tradition of wearingRudraksha beads in India, particularly among Shaivism, due to their association with Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva himself wears rudraksha garlands.

Rudraksha Beads: Types, Properties (Power) and Benefits

All the spiritualists such as yogis, saints, sages and sadhakas are seen using Rudraksha beads. These beads are described in India’s most ancient scriptures such as Shiva Purana and other Upanishads. These beads as per those scriptures are for self-empowerment and for leading a fearless life. 

Biologically and botanically, Rudraksha is an edible fruit growing on broad-leaved trees called Elaeocarpus. These fruits are kept underwater for a quite long time. The farmers then peel off the pulp and what remains is Rudraksha bead. Best day to wear Rudraksha is on Monday or during Shivratri. 

Rudraksha is not just one but many. In other words, there are different types of Rudraksha popularly known by ‘Mukhi’ (face). One Mukhi Rudraksha bead is one-face. Two Mukhi bead has two faces marked by one line. Three Mukhi bead has three faces marked by three lines. These beads commonly vary from One Mukhi to Twenty One Mukhi Rudraksha beads. Each bead has a ruling deity or the god that represents that particular Mukhi. 

As said earlier, the beads commonly range from 1 Mukhi to 21 Mukhis, each having its own properties, powers and benefits. It is to be noted that the beads from One Mukhi To Fourteen Mukhis grown more than the rest. The beads from 15 Mukhis to 21 Mukhis are exceptional as they grow and mature less frequently every year. Talking about abundantly available Rudraksha beads, Four, Five and Six Mukhi beads are most common. Scriptures like Shiva Purana, Padma Purana talk about the beads from One Mukhi to Fourteen Mukhi 14. However, beads higher than these (from Fifteen to Twenty One) are mentioned in the Katyayani Purana

Symbolical Properties of Rudraksha Beads

The top portion of the bead is known as Brahma because from this portion a line marking the face (Mukhi) stems. Next is middle part. This part is known as Vishnu and the bottom part where the line(s) ends forms the divine part of Shiva. The middle potion of Vishnu is biggest than the rest. The entire bead forms an absolute piece of divinity. These three portions also represent three gunas; satto, rajo and passion (goodness, passion and ignorance respectively). These beads are used for their mystic powers and benefits. Each bead has its own unique power and property. Following are some of the beads and their powers. 

FB Link

7 BENEFITS OF WEARING RUDRAKSHA

• Rudraksha change the karma of the wearer, leading a person naturally to the right path of truth and purpose, making the pace along the path quicker and progress easier.
• They are effective in controlling stress, thus help in eradicating worries and blessing the wearer with greater peace of mind. In over 6,500 years of documented use, Rudraksha have been shown to produce no negative side effects.
• Rudraksha bring clarity, sharpen the mind, and increase the power of Intuition.
• They create powerful “protection circles” from negativity and remove obstacles along the path to your success.
• Rudraksha charge the soul with shakti (spiritual power), increasing the soul’s own radiance and its ability to more fully express its divine power & wisdom in the material world.
• They create a more intimate connection with the positive forces in nature and the cosmos, help to heal the vital energies and bring them into harmonious balance.
• Rudraksha are scientifically proven to have many health benefits.
• 
  
• 
  

The Tomb Of Rajasinghe 1 Of Sitawake

“King Rajasinghe who had brought this beautiful Lanka under one canopy breathed his last on Thursday, the 7th day of the lunar month, under the asterism Hata”

This is the farewell tribute made in the chronicle Rajavaliya on the death of King Rajasinghe 1 of Sitawaka fame and the “King of Lions” whose death occurred in 1591 AD.

It is related that when the king suffered defeat at the hands of Konappu Bandara who later ascended the Kandyan throne as Vimala Dharmasuriya 1, the king retreated to the royal park at Pethangoda. And here a fatal bamboo splinter ran into the kings foot.

This story however is subject to debate. And some say it was the bite of a cobra that inhabited the bamboo grove that killed the king.

Apart from the debate and mystery regarding the ill fated bamboo groves, today we are treated to two giant bamboo groves growing close to each other and protected by barbed wire fences. The bamboo shoots are dark greenish in colour and not of the usual yellow. But more peculiar is the grove of thorns that spike from the shoots Some thorns are as much as 3 feet long and from them branch more smaller and sharper thorns The setting couldn’t be more idyllic. On one side of the bamboo groves stretches an uncultivated paddy field and a range of scenic hills. On all other sides there seemed to be rubber estates. Take time to sit for awhile and enjoy the environs. Look up at the bamboo groves and you will be treated to the sight its exquisite leaves making lacy designs against a clear blue sky. Our next stop was to visit the burial ground of the mighty Rajasinghe. But before that an inviting little tea shop made us stop for a tea, a plantain and a vadai.

The Pethangoda Bamboo grove can be reached along the Avissavella Ruwanwella Kegalle road.

Back on route; we made our way along the Avissawella - Amithrigala road till a familiar Archaeological Department board made us stop. A few granite stones surrounded by an iron railing marked the grave of a king. This site like most of the stories related of King Rajasinghe is subject to debate. Almost overlooking the grave a huge Kamaranga tree invited us to share in its abundance . The star fruit, so rare in the cities, were strewn on the ground, ripe gold and tempting.

Sri Lankan Red Slender Loris

There are two distinct species of lorises in Sri Lanka: The grey slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) and the red slender loris (Loris tardigradus). The latter is endemic to Sri Lanka, and both species have two subspecies according to the latest classifications.

Loris lydekkerianus Loris lydekkerianus nordicus and Spp. Loris lydekkerianus grandis

Spp. Loris tardigradus tardigradus and Spp. Loris tardigradus nycticeboides (Highland Slender Loris)

Lorises are slow climbing, nocturnal animals with large distinctive eyes. They are adapted to an arboreal lifestyle (a life among trees), which is assisted by skeletal specialisations such as highly mobile joints, large humerus, strong bones, equally long fore and hind limbs with super strong digits, and anatomical modifications such as a shortened tip of the ulna to the dimensions of a styloid process.

ප්‍රනජීව ශාකය

This plant is famous for its movement of small, lateral leaflets at speeds rapid enough to be perceivable with the naked eye. This is a strategy to maximise light by tracking the sun. Each leaf is equipped with a hinge that permits it to be moved to receive more sunlight, but the weight of these leaves means the plant must expend a lot of energy in moving it. To optimise its movement, each large leaf has two small leaflets at its base. These move constantly along an elliptical path, sampling the intensity of sunlight, and directing the large leaf to the area of most intensity.