Padikemgala Raja Maha Viharaya
A relic of ancient glory
A guard-stone
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Siddhartha Gautama languished for six long years of untold privation in
spending his life as an ascetic in the recess of the caves in the jungle
after renouncing the princely life of his Royal Kingdom of worldly pleasures
to seek the truth and attain Supreme Enlightenment. The cave shelter
where he was living the life of a recluse is still known as Dineshwon in
India. From there Gautama laboured seven miles walking to reach his final
destination in the district of Buddha Gaya.
Offering of Kiripidu Dana by Sujatha ....
When the brilliant moon was bathed in full radiance, Siddhartha Gautama
in seeking Enlightenment sat under the spreading bowers of a giant Nuga Tree
lying close to the bank of river Neranjana in a village still known as Senani
which is connected with the life and times of Siddhartha Gautama culminating
in his renunciation that paved the way for his supreme attainment of Buddhahood.
In this serene but pastoral village of Senani, there lived a daughter of
a chieftain's housemaid. As she was sweeping the ground around this Nuga
tree to which rituals and other offerings were made, she beheld Siddharta
Gautama seated at the foot of it engaged in absolute meditation in all solemnity
and grace.
Remnants of a Buddha
statue
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She cried in joy and brought the happy tidings to the notice of her household.
The chieftain's household was all agog with villagers when she was confronted
with a pleasant surprise of the visitation of Gautama. They were filled with
joy of sanctity. With all sacredness and obeisance they prepared poojas and
alms to be offered to Gautama. They were in high glee of this meritorious
act. Sujatha took the bowl of Kiripindu Dana (milk rice) knelt before Gautama
and offered it in all grace and sanctity to Him and He accepted it with all
gratitude.
Thereafter, Gautama Buddha ambled towards the river Neranjana where He
bathed. After crossing the river, Gautama partook the Kiripidu Dana offered
to him by Sujatha. On its impact Gautama felt he was more fortified with
much strength to his body and mind. Whereupon He blessed Sujatha with His
hand on her newborn child. He invoked longevity and blessings on him when
Sujatha romped home rejoicing over this meritorious act.
Then came the glorious event on that very day. That evening, Siddharta
Gautama strolled in all solemnity and determination towards the Bo-Tree
and sat under its copious shade and attained his life-long quest for Supreme
Enlightment.
Its very episode in stone ...
A guard-stone
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The above-related event of Sujatha offering Kiripidu Dana to Siddhartha
Gautama is lively etched in a stone frieze at a Raja Maha Vihara named Padikemgala
Raja Maha Viharay (Hambantota district). It too nestles in the Walawe basin,
from where it is still closer to reach this historical Temple along the Embilipitya-Sooriyawewa
Road. At its turn off (to the left), lies the road leading to Meegahajandura
School via Magal Ara land settlement scheme. From Embilipitiya it is about
25 miles on a gravel road which is quite motorable. The next route is through
Hambantota via Koggalla from there to Meegahajandura School off Magal Ara
farmers' settlements, where the distance is about 30 miles from Hambantota.
Treasure trove of ancient Relics ...
Ancient ruins
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This Padikemgala Raja Maha Vihara lies in the forest glades. The temple
is surrounded by a barricade of a retaining wall composed of ancient bricks
fortified with well dressed stone slabs placed one over the other with well
marked groves carved out. This stome structure is semi-circular. In the middle
of this stone frieze lies Sujatha offering Kiripidu Dana to Siddhartha Gautama
followed by more stone friezes of elephants with their trunks curled up.
These relics and other remains are enclosed with a retaining wall built of
finely quarried stone slabs placed evenly one over the other lying in a crumbling
state.
Unique finds of a gangoyle, (Weeping Stone) a sort of water spout that
conveyed its flowing waters through the mouths of lion heads must have been
meant for the flow of drainage water. These stone gutters had ben kept at
the four corners of this site, but only two are remaining still in a dilapidated
state, lying here and there. The robes of this Buddha statue are in a ruinous
state, and the frills etched on the robes are still distinct. The other rare
but priceless archaeological artifact was a structure called "Yanthara
Gal" (Treasure Chambers). In ancient monarchical times, valuable treasures
were buried for safe-keeping. Such treasures were deposited in the Yanthara
Gal which is square in shape having square deep seated grooves in which
these valuables are preserved, then with the other such Stone slab also having
such square shaped grooves were sandwiched together and buried, particularly
in ancient Viharas or monastry sites. The Padikemgala archaeological
site, had been the abode of Arahants (highest Sages).
Period of Times
A close-up of the Bodhigara which
shows Sujatha offering ‘Kiripidu’ dana to Siddhartha Gautama
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Since I have been living for a long time in Embilipitiya nestling in the
Walawe basin, I have had visited the Padikemgala Rajamaha Viharaya. My first
visit was in the early 1970's when I was transferred to the Walawe Project
from the Gal Oya Project in 1970. The Incumbent of this Rajamaha Viharaya
was Ven. Lunama Gnananda Thera and he is still there. During his incumbency
he had taken manifold steps to restore this temple. Though now in dotage
he still devotes his time to develop this ancient site.
When I visited the Rajamaha Viharaya in the 1970's those stone gutters
with lion heads were in a ruinous state while the Asana Gharas - the
Bdhi Gharas which prouder shelter to Bo-Tree is in a permanent state. The
place is kept in a clean and environmentally friendly state. In recent years,
the Archaeological Department had carried out extensive excavations around
the ancient site of Padikemgala. Among the classic artifacts unearthed are
the remains of Bodhi Ghara (the house of the Bo-Tree). It is a square enclosure
comprising well dressed stone slabs. It has been restored to its ancient
glory, while others such as Bodhigaras were also restored by the Archaeological
Department. Two others, one at Nillakgama lying in Hathalispaha Korale
East in the Wannihathpathu (Kurunegala district) and the other at Panduwasnuwara
Archaeological site (off Kuliyapitiya) and could be seen. The one I had
visited in the late 1985, (story of the Mutlind/hooded cobra, janitors stone
referred to earlier) is wrapped in a hoary episode as narrated by this Incumbent
when I first visited it in the 1970's.
It runs thus:- Some years ago in the
early 1950's the Hambantota Police of the time led by an A.S.P. and
his policemen raided, a gangja plantation in the area. Retired Police officers
may recall this interesting but amusing one. It is called that the then A.S.P.
(Hambantota Police Station), had accidentally come across this Multi-hooded
cobra stone lying in the jungle tide of Padikemgala. He had a fascination
for it to be kept at his bungalow. So he removed it to his bungalow for safe-keeping
as then the Padikemgala temple was deserted. That night it was a nightmare
to his wife when in the dead of night she dreamt of a saintly man dressed
in immaculate white, wearing a white turban over his head, had warned her
to remove the cobra stone forthwith back to the very site it was found.
Before it was removed to the Padikemgala site, he consulted the Govt. Agent
Hambantota and the officials concerned.
They had strongly advised him to return it to the Padikemgala site. It
is that lost and found Multihooded cobra Guard stone that is still lying
there at the Padikemgala Temple - quie, safe and sound.
by Gamini G. Punchihewa
Sunday Observer - 9 August 2009
Articles
Created : May 25, 2010
Updated :
May 25, 2010
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