Passing Suriyagoda Viharaya in Yati Nuwara you come across two more historical locations, Dodanwela Devalaya and Danthre Viharaya. These can also be reached by the main road from Alakolange.
It is said that King Rajasighe II (1635 – 1687) was on his way to Balana to battle the Portuguese when his palanquin snapped and he had to alight at the Dodanwela. He asked where this place was and was informed this was called “Nahimige Kovila”. Then the king made a vow to present his crown and the jewels to the kovil if he won the battle. The king was victorious and the promise was kept. Dedicated to a local deity in the past, it is dedicated to Vishnu and is now called Dodanwela Devale.
The Royal crown that was gifted to the Devale was placed in the Kandyan Museum which was stolen recently by treasure hunters.
The Devale in architecture is similar to Vishnu Devale in Kandy but the inner sanctum has no Vishnu image. Instead, there are two portraits of Kings painted on wood. One is believed to be of King Rajasighe II. It also preserves two embroidered silk jackets believed to be belonging to the king and a dozen swards.
Another curious object here is a brass crown which is said to be of King Vesamuni, the king of the daemons.
References
- Seneviratna, A., 1983. Kandy: an Illustrated Survey of Ancient Monuments With Historical, Archaeological and Literary Descriptions Including Maps of the City and Its Suburbs. Colombo: Central Cultural Fund, Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
- Abeyawardhana, H. A. P. (2004) Heritage of Kandurata: Major Natural, Cultural, and Historic Sites. Kandy: Kandurata Development Bank, in association with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Also See
- Kandy – The Last Kingdom of Sinhale
Map of the Dodanwela Devale
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Driving Directions to Dodanwela Devale
Kandy can be reached from Colombo on the old Colombo – Kandy road (option 1) which is scenic but heavy in traffic, especially on Fridays and Sundays. However, the new Central Expressway (option 2) has opened up a new route which is longer but less cumbersome.
Route 1 from Colombo to Kandy | Route 2 from Colombo to Kandy |
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala Distance :150 km Travel time: 3.20 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map | Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala Distance :150 km Travel Time: 3.20 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map |
Route From Nuwara Eliya to Kandy | |
Through : Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance :100 km Travel Time : 3.0 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map |
Route from Kandy to Dodanwela Devalya |
Though : Peradeniya – Kiribathkumbura distance : 12 km Travel time : 20 minutes Driving directions : see on google map |