Gotha Pabbatha Rajamaha Vihara
Source : www.navy.lk
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Gotha Pabbatha
Rajamaha Vihara is situated on rocky
outcrop near the mouth of the Walawe River in Godawaya which is a small
fishing hamlet located between Ambalantota and Hamantota. The temple
blieved to have been built by Reginal king Gotabaya (King Kavanthissa's
father) in the 2nd centuary BC. Godawaya is a ancient shipping port active
as far as 2nd centuary BC. The temple is also belived to be have been
used as the admnistrative center of this port. An inscription found
in the vicinity of the temple records that a later king decreed that
the taxes from the Port of Godavaya be dedicated to the temple.
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Sri lankan and German archio;ogists have been excavating this monastery
complex and on the west side of the monastery an elevated ancient
image house and a chapter house have
been excavated.
Three different statues were discovered here: A standing Buddha about 3.50 meters
tall and two Bodhisattva statues each about 1.80 meters in height. These statues
even have traces of the original color.
Historians have been especially interested in the Customs Building, located
on the east side of the ancient monastery, which was decorated with ornaments
showing an elephant placing his trunk in lotus flowers. Clay seals bearing
the emblem of a lion were used to seal goods and cargo as proof that the
customs duty was paid.
Articles
Variations : Gotha Pabbatha, Gota Pabbatha, Gotapabbatha, Gotaapabbatha,
Godavaya, Godawaya
Created : June 20, 2009
Updated :
June 20, 2009
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