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Isurumuniya Viharaya
ඉසුරුමුණිය විහාරය
Isurumuniya Temple |
The Meghagiri Vihara is now commonly known as Isurumuniya Vihara or Isurumuniya.
But the real Isurumuni Vihara is located few hundred metres away is now called
Vessagiri Vihara.
Isurumuniya
is most famous for the stone carving of a couple located there. This carved
stone was found in the royal pleasure garden and brought here. There are
many interpretations for this carving.
Isurumuniya Lovers |
The most popular is that this carving shows the prince Saliya (the son of the
great king Dutugamunu) and his mistress Asokamala. Asokamala
was of a lover cast called “Chandala” and the prince Saliya gave
up the right to be the king by marrying this girl of a lower cast.
Bathing elephants above the water tank |
Another belief is that this couple represent the god Siva and goddess Parvathi
of Hindu belief.
The vihara also has another stone slab which depicts a court scene which
is thought to be the court of king Dutugemunu. Both these stone slabs are thought
to be originated in the 8th century.
The vihara itself is built on a rock and the sacred tooth relic of Buddha has
been originally kept here when it arrived to the island from India in the 312
AC.
The horse head and the man in the
royal pose |
At the entrance to the rock temple is a large pond. Above the pond there is
a carving of bathing elephants and on the top level of the stairs there is another
carving of a man seated in a royal pose and a horse head. The top carving is
thought to be carving of Agni and Parjanya. Parjanya is the god for rain. The
elephants below represent the clouds. With this interpretation it is believed
this place was also used by the king to perform ceremonies for rain god.
The stupa and the Buddha image in this temple are of recent origin. But there
are some caves which probably were used earlier but now have become a haven
for bats.
Route from Anuradhapura Railway Station
to Isurumuniya |
| Distance : 3 km
Travel time : 10 minutes
Driving directions : see
on google map |
Map
Articles
Photos before restoration from www.imagesofceylon.com
Created : Augest 2, 2004
Last Saved :
January 8, 2012
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