Discover sri Lanka Kaludiya Pokuna
Kaludiya Pokuna in Kandalama is not to be confused with its name-sake
in
Mihinthale
. It dates back to the period, 853 – 857 A.D., during
the reign of King Sena the 2nd. The sacred precincts of this ancient site
served as a meditating center for the Buddhist monks who resided there.
The approach to this ancient historical site is very pleasant, winding
its way through paddy fields and vegetable cultivations - typical rural Sri
Lanka, which gives way to beautiful stands of tall, dry monsoon forest. You
even find peacocks crossing the road at intervals.
Kaludiya Pokuna lies at the base of a long rocky ridge on the northern
periphery of the Knuckles range. As a result, the forest is more intermediate
in character than dry zone. It is also home to a wide variety of birds and
butterflies, as it is at the junction of different climatic zones with some
species being at an extremity of their range. Clearly, it is an exciting
place for birders and butterfly watchers.
The archeological site at Kaludiya Pokuna has a few ruins including a stupa,
and it is very obvious to the visitor, that this ancient site screams of
neglect.
Like at
Pidurangala
, there are numerous meditating centers or kutis used
by the monks to meditate, but totally neglected and left to rot.
There are also two pokunas or ponds from which the name Kaludiya Pokuna
has been derived. One is completely dry and overgrown with weeds, while the
other looks more like a huge muddy stagnant puddle of water, and a haven
for mosquitoes.
My genius cameraman Lal Nishantha used all his skills to capture on camera,
the former glory of this once beautiful pond.
I also found two ancient rock inscriptions - one was hardly legible as
letters were almost washed away by the ravages of rain, but the second was
mercifully protected by the overhanging rock.
This ancient rock inscription in medieval Sinhala found at Kaludiya Pokuna,
dates back to the period between 853 – 857 A.D. during the eighth year
of the reign of King Sena II. It states, that during that period, the temple
at Kaudiya Pokuna was called Dakinigiri Viharaya and that a person by the
name of Dhalatha donated 23 gold coins to obtain food for the monks living
at the Dakinigiri Viharaya.
Yet another pathetic sight that met my eyes, were the remains of ancient
artifacts mostly of clay, belonging to Kaludiya Pokuna, stashed away in a
tiny shed, with no door to protect them from thieves.
I left Kaludiya Pokuna with a heavy heart, because it is obviously a place
of nobody’s business. I hope the authorities concerned, would do something
about restoring at least some of its glory, and give Kaludiya Pokuna the
dignity it rightfully deserves.
by Sharmini Serasinghe
The Island
, 2008 November 11
Created : March 21, 2009
Updated :
March 21, 2009
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