Hello my loving Architecture+Design community lovers,
How are you Hivers? I believe you are spending very nice weekend with your loved once. Last two days was very important days to Sri Lankan Buddhist people because it was Wesak full moon poyaday. Last Thursday, the 23rd of May, was a precious day for all Sri Lankan Buddhists because the birth, enlightenment and death of our religious leader, the Buddha, took place on the Vesak Poya day. On Vesak Poho day, I did Vesak decorations at home with my loved ones and went to the temple for worship at night. Apart from that, he did not forget to attend several dansals that entertain the pilgrims on their way for Vesak. Since May 24th was also a national holiday, I decided to cover two historical temples around Baddegama area as a sudden discussion with a friend of mine. Accordingly, despite the rain that continued throughout the day, we explored those two temples completely, and I hope to introduce this content about Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen Viharaya located in the village of Wawulagala, which has several stone caves among them.
Even when we both went here, there were no devotees or monks. It was unfortunate for us because we could not know about the history of the temple. The steps leading into the temple were made of stone and no traditional Buddhist signs can be seen. It appears that it was prepared only for the need.
The most attractive Buddhist landmark in the Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen Temple was the huge Buddha statue shining in milk color. A concrete slab was made on a rock and the statue was created on it. Several concrete pillars have been completed below the slab to support the Buddha statue.
In fact, I was surprised why there were no devotees in the temple even on an important Poya day. Maybe that's why it's not so popular. On the other hand, the villagers have an understanding about this temple. The temple administrator may also be the reason for not coming. The status of the temple where I live is also similar to that of Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen Viharaya.
Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen Temple's absence of a reference to the height of this statue, which perfectly depicts the personality, can be mentioned as a shortcoming. Even a visitor from outside needs acceptable evidence to know a Buddhist sign that is created at such a high cost and labor. A complete rendering of this statue can be seen, reflecting a peaceful hand signal. The pleats of the robe are finely milled and add vivacity.
Next to the Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen Temple, we reached the Buddha House in a rock cave. This was completed by excavating stone caves and taking cement, sand and bricks from the outside. Sri Lankan architects and builders have had a good technical knowledge of quarry designs. More concrete piers are constructed to support the upper slab area. In addition, bricks made of stone are used for the outer wall to increase the strength.
Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen temple had no bhikkhus or members of the congregation, so it was not possible to enter the tunnel temple as the entrance door was closed. I consider it a great loss not to be able to show it to you. Only the two windows were open, but there was not enough light to take a clear photo. The old ceiling between the walls was rotten, so new planks coated with wood protection were added to it.
The stupa, which is the temple landmark that Buddhists first visit, is found when climbing up the rock. As it was a rainy day, climbing up the stone steps had to be done carefully. I had to cover every area of the temple even though safety came before risk. Although small, the Stupa here is an ancient one. Discolored because it has not been painted for a long time.
You can clearly observe that this stupa has been created by excavating the top of the rock. It inspires an advanced construction technology concept. Although it is an old temple, it is surprising that no Buddhist carvings can be seen in this stupa. It may have been destroyed by a war that happened at that time, but it cannot be accepted that it could have been destroyed because the other elements were in good condition. A statue of Buddha was placed in a chamber near the stupa for worshipers.
Although it is dangerous to walk on the top of the stone where the stupa was built, I investigated because I thought that some historical story was engraved on the stone. Several circular holes were found on the rocks. Three stone towers could be seen at the corner of the rock. Also, it was possible to see that some type of script was engraved on it, but due to the risk of slipping, its history could not be known.
Further uphill of the Shri Shailakutarama Purana temple, a small building still under construction could be seen. It has four old style wooden windows in all four directions. Towards the bottom, carvings of swans have been created in parallel.
According to the Sri Lankan Buddha genealogy, there are currently twenty-seven Buddhas born, and the one who will attain enlightenment in the future is Maitreya Buddha. It is also said that no Buddha will descend in this world after that. Accordingly, in various places of the Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen temple, booths with images of these twenty-eight Buddhas were built. The special thing is that the booths are built under the respective tree that the Buddha used to attain enlightenment.
Further exploration of the hilly ground of the Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen temple revealed a building with an open hall. A different architectural shape has been presented for the shape of its walls. After getting close to it, it was seen that it is the hall that provides Dhamma education for 3rd grade children. I was also curious here. This is why the Lower Dharma Hall was used for the children of the other grades but a jungle hall was chosen for the 3rd grade children. There is no solution to that problem without the monks of the temple. It is clear that the roof was recently constructed.
A large Bodhi tree can be seen in the lower area of Shri Shailakutarama Purana Gallen temple, and another special feature is that a branch of it has been planted in the mountain and is currently growing well. It is not common to see two Bodhi trees in the same temple. As it is small, the gilded fence covers the center of the shrine. Here you can also see the response of the Rahats who stood for him during the Buddha's time.
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In fact, several ruins could be seen here that can be introduced as a temple with a valuable past history. Even though we cannot see meditating monks today, it is evident from the walking areas and seats arranged for meditation that there must have been in the past. The places have been restored rather than destroyed. I will come back again soon.
