Sunandarama Vihara
| Sunandarama Maha Vihara සුනන්දාරාම මහා විහාරය | |
|---|---|
 Front arch at "Sunandarama Maha Vihara" | |
| Basic information | |
| Location | Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka |
| Geographic coordinates | 06°14′02.9″N 80°03′25.5″E / 6.234139°N 80.057083°ECoordinates: 06°14′02.9″N 80°03′25.5″E / 6.234139°N 80.057083°E |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| District | Galle |
| Province | Southern Province |
| Heritage designation | Archaeological protected monument[1] (17 May 2013) |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Buddhist Temple |
| Completed | around 1750 |
Sunandarama Maha Vihara, also known as Maha pansala is located in Southern part of, Sri Lanka. It’s situated 65 kilometers north of Colombo, 36 kilometers south of Galle and 200 meters East from Ambalangoda railway station. This sacred place holds a land of nearly 5 acres. Traditionally this "Vihara" belongs to "Vilegoda","Nambimulla","Maha Ambalangoda" and "Paniyanduwa" which are known as "Sathara peruwa" (the four states which are benifited by the Vihara).Since early days these states have been provided the support to maintanin the Vihara. Early before this place became a vicar, it's known that "Ganninanselaya" stayed here.
Sunandarama Vihara has been interred in two stories which are known as "Maluwa".In the basement synagogue ("Dharmashalawa"), monastery ("Awasa"), saīmaāgaeya and alms hall ("Dhana shalawa") are situated."Vihara","Sacred Bodhi" and "Statue house" are located in the first floor. The Sacred Bodhi is a shrine in this Vihara.
History
The temple dates back to the 18 th BCE .In 1750 the "Bodhi" was planted according to the belief.In that time this temple was a residence for nuns.But "Sunandarama Maha Vihara" systamatically started in 1970. Vilegoda Punnasara thero's moving from Aluthwala Nanadarama shrine was the starting of Sunandarama Vihara shrine.Vilegoda Punnasara thero had eleven clerial students.
Statue house is the most ancient building which belongs to "Kandy" era.Artist Manju Sri said that the main stone door frame and the right hand side door frame of statue house was created by Thotagamu temple artists.It seems that the present statue is older than the statue house created in 1803.
Recumbent statue and the standing statue included in the hall's walls and the ceiling was created by P.N Jakolis who lived in Galle and his two assistant artists.
Bell shaped cairn was created in 1843 .Synagogue was built in 1846 and two storied building was constructed in 1893.
Small statue house on the second floor was built in 1886; a marble Buddha statue which is placed in that hall is a gift from Burma
Frescoes (Murals)
The artistic murals in the Sunandharama Vihara are notable examples of ancient Sri Lankan art and crafts. These frescoes are similar to the frescoes at "Thotagamu Vihara", which were sketched by an artist from "Sathara Koralaya" (an area consisted of four states of the up country side of Sri Lanka) around 1805.
These frescoes portray sundry "Jathaka Stories" (the stories which portray previous birth stories of Lord Buddha) like "Vessanthara","Sachchankira" and "Mandhathu" "jathaka stories", including the "Vessanthara Jathaka Story". Even though hill country tradition is local to the hill country temples’ art work the frescoes here belong to the hill country tradition. Red, brown, black and blue are the main colours used in these murals.
Picturesque arch
The bell arch or the picturesque Panadol is the most significant creation of this "Vihara." This is the only concrete arch with this amount of precise carvings in Sri Lanka, and is 30 m high and 18 m wide.
Ancient security figures and "MakaraThorana" (a Panadol with a figure of a dragon) are carved for four stories. For every story six security caves have been created. So this depicts a whole security squad for the "Vihara."
A mechanical bell has been attached for the third floor and it weighs 250 kg. It works from a machine placed on the first floor. The scared foot print of "Lord Buddha" is carved on the fourth floor to enhance the dignity and respect towards "Lord Buddha".
The construction was begun in 1876 by Mr. Junwanwadu Endoris De Silva. Various artists worked on this arch under his guidance. After the death of Endoris De Silva in 1895, his son took his place. However the construction took over 40 years to be completed.
To hold the weight of the three storied carvings the base of the arch was constructed on a railway track with the help of the engineers of railway service. According to the resources, the cost of the construction was held by the locals.
By the time, the arch was dragged for deterioration and a reconstruction committee was organized in 1988 with the help of honoured locals. This was chaired by Mr. M.S. De Silva and Mr. P.E. Ariyasinghe was the secretary. Mr. Bernard Lokuge, Mr. Santhiyagu Upasiri, Mr. A.M. Karunarathne, Mr. A.M. Somapala De Silva, Mr. Bandu Wijesooriya, Mr. Sirisena Lokuge, Mr. Piyasena Peduruhewa and Mr. J.B.S. De Silva were among the committee members.
Since then the conservation and reconstruction activities were done by the locals.
Gehenna
"Gehenna" also known as "hell" was another creation in the Vihara.It’s situated in the eastern side of the temple complex. It’s a alarge concrete creation with basement "Lkumbu"(strong) hell and various tunnels there. Its constructions were started in 1928 but its work has not been completed yet.
Bodhi
The sacred "Bodhi" here is known to be one of the eight branches (plants) from the sacred "Sri Maha Bodhi". This "Bodhi" is planted in around 1750 even before the "Vihara" started here.
Conservation
The conservation of this temple complex has been started since 1988 with the reconstruction committee for the "arch". But still now the locals are doing their best to conserve this piece of work for the generations to come. So that the deteriorating frescoes have been objected to re painting and re-constructing.
Frescoes convervation at "Sunandarama Vihara"
Frescoes convervation at "Sunandarama Vihara"
Frescoes convervation at "Sunandarama Vihara"
References
- ↑ Gazette 1811 17 May 2013, p. 423.