Kooragala- Puravidya Chakrawarthi Ven. Ellawala Medhananda
MP
On the foot of the “Kooragala” mountain is “Sandagiriya”
where 2 Bodhi plants from the sacred “Ashta Pala” Bo tree “Jaya Siri Maha
Bodhi” in Anuradhapura were planted. The sacred land spreads over 25 acres of
land with ancient monuments, inscriptions and ruins aging over 2nd
century AD where the inscriptions state of many “Rahath"monks. [Puravidya Chakrawarthi Ven. Ellawala
Medhananda Thero. MP -1979 Sandagiriya or Sandagahanuwara] there are three stone
inscriptions in each of the three main caves describing as, 1. Dattha and
Samuddha’s Cave 2. Parumaka Sumana 3. Parumaka Summa, was built and officially
dedicated to the holy monks as devotees. “Walipathayaya” is just below 1500 feet of Kooragala and an
ancient Stone Staircase and Brick Walls could be still seen. Below 500-600
feet, there’s another cave with beautiful Brick Walls. There are two other
caves near “Kalthota” “Diyainnapara” which also have inscriptions each. On
right to that is the “Budhugala Temple” and archeological land [resemblance of
“Ritigala” road near “Bhandra pond” According to “Mahawanshaya”, during the
reign of “Prakrama Pandya” in Polonnaruwa, it was mentioned as “Kaalachittha”
[Kalthota]with ancient stone carvings. To the right of it is the “Waelpothayaya”
“Puhulyaya” “Indurugahayaya” “Diyainna” “Girimakulugolla” “Handagiriya”
“Lendara” “Pollamure” “Thewelagala” ancient ruins and inscriptions can still be
seen. Mainly there are five stone inscriptions in “Girimakulugolla” where it
has described of a king called “Shiva” who was the son of king “Thissa” and to
the many more kings before him which was identified as Royal Grounds. The
Katharagama “Kshadriyans” and the “Chandanagaama Kshadriyans” were the ones who
descended the “Ashta Pala Siri Maha Bodhi” from Anuradhapura. The
“Chandanagaama Kshadriyans” were the ones who planted the sacred tree in the
“Ulgala Chaithya” near “Katupath Oya-Handagiriya” and the river “Walawe”. Bricks
with ancient Inscriptions were found on top of the rock. At
“Weediyayaya/Weediyapitiya” there’s an ancient road all the way to the river
“Walawe” in the “Udawalawa Reserve” and from “Palamthota” there’s “Pilima Adda
Ara” which believes to be the road made by dragging of a Statue to the river
where it can still be seen. The “Hambegamuwa-Dattha Jeilani” means the “Tooth
of Seilan” which the word “Seilan” is used by Arabs to identify Lakdiva as in
Ceylon by the English.
“Kooragala” is actually “Kuhara Gala” which means the “Cave
Rock”. In the book of “Samankoota Warnanawa” it has mentioned as “Panduleiiya
Pabbatha” where people came to see the Holy one [Buddha]. The 2nd
century AD inscriptions written were identified as “Brahmin” where King
“Vijayabahu” started reigning over from the “Soli” of India emphasizing the
preservation of “Shiva Devala” and property.
Rathnapura Saddharmalankara Pirivenadhipathi
Adhikarana Sanghanayaka Rajakeeya Panditha Shastradhipathi Ven.Vataddara Ghnanasaara Thero
[Special Thanks to – Hambegamuwa Gama Mahatthaya,
U.M. Gunaratne[Koth-imburuwella Guardian], Diyainna Mahatthaya, Sirisena[Bera/Natum/Hewisi],
Puhulyaya Attho and Ven.Kirielle Ghnanawimala Thero for the ancient
Sabaragamuwa Scripts and Scrolls]
In 1971, according to a request made by the “Rathnapura
Saddharmalankara Piriven Ven.Vataddara Ghnanasaara” Thero, “Kooragala” was
declared as a reserve together with “Galtamyaya” and “Budhugala” since it all
belongs to one unique relic. In 1972 Ven. ”Vataddara Ghnanasaara” Thero was
handed over the guardianship of the relic by Ven. “Kirielle Ghnanawimala” Thero
and Ven. “Khitale Narada” Thero. In 1932 Ven. “Vataddara Ghnanasaara” Thero had
also got the blessings from the “Goanagala Ananda Myethree” Thero.
Since before the time of “Deepangkara Buddha”, “Kooragala”
was a natural Bay. In 1932 The “Walawwe Mahawalathanne Unnahe” or the “Rate Mahatthaya”
made "Kirihantha Upasaka” the guardian of “Kooragala” stating “never to let
anyone trespass or destroy this ancient place” which he did with all his life.
The “Gammuladani” at that time was Ven.“Mulgama Sunethra Hamuduruwanwahanse” ‘s
father who were in-charge of “Mulgama”, “Ranjanthenna” and “Kalthota”. A rumor
of a man name “Mastanda” lighting oil lamps in the sacred caves got the
attention of “Kirihantha Upasaka” which made the “Mahawalathanne”,”
Aarachhila”and the “Governor” come visit the site, and immediately after
looking at the site the Governor ordered to “remove this man from this place”.
Two times the man was removed but yet he claimed that the Brahmin inscriptions
were in fact Arabic. Amongst the Medicine books and documents written by Ven.
“Kirielle Ghnanawimala” Thero, are a “Puskola Potha” written about “Kooragala"
Stone Inscriptions” according to traditions the “Perahera” and the “Girikhanda
Poojawa” was held but the “Perahera” started from Ven.“Medabedde
Sangharakkhita” Thero’s temple was underway through obstructions and
disturbances to the way to “Kooragala”.
The importance of “Kooragala” is that the “First ray of
light” from the Sun in East is received by the “Maaraji Chaithya” near
“Mahameru Parwatha” which was also described by the Holy one “Gauthama Buddha”
in “Deeghanikaya-Paatika wagge-Aggaghna Soothraya” where it has illustrated
about the beginning of this world. The world is 5000 million years old and was
submerged 2500 million years before, where the water was up to “Bhamba Thalaya”.
The 5000 million old world first started here in Lakdiva and it was here where
it all began. “Harishchanda Wijethunga”
is another person who knows the actual story of how the world began. The
“Ray of Light” from the Sun was first on a spot, which they call it the “Lakuna”,
“Ilakkaya” [Mark/Target] which the word “Illangai” was descended later to the
Tamil people. As the water started descending for 2500 million years, a “Point”
appeared and that was the “Mark”. It is believed to be the first place where
the first “Ray of Light” touched mother Earth. Then the Brahmas came down from
heavens and appeared as “Fireflies” due to their own Self-Enlightment, who was
excited to see the first bit of land and inherited it where it all began,
proving all the theories wrong about “Aliens and Extraterrestrials” coming down
to Earth and “Genetically Engineering Humans” the “Preethi Bhakka Bhavi Samaya”
is the term used to say how happy the Brahmas were to see the land and to eat.
The word “Ravana” also stands for “Wana Rakshita” meaning
the protector of all Trees and Animals and the word “Asura” [Nasuraa Asura]
stands for a group of people who were free of all narcotics. Lakdiva was
mentioned in literature around the world under various names such as,
“Acchapabbatha”, “Acchoditha”, Pasaditha”, “Aaloka”, “Mayru”, “Sumayru”, “Maha
Mayru”, “Girikhanda”, “Hirugala”[Sun Rock], “Girishikharakate”, “Sandagala”[Moon
Rock], “Sakwalagala”[Universal Rock], “Samudramala Shikharaya”, Sathge”,
“Acchagiriya”, “Acchapalla”[Accha-Pahan Pirisidu Aaloka/Prasadika-Aaloka-Parisuddhang], “Nivayakoota”, “Rangira”, “Muchalindu Pawwa”,
“Saiilama”, “Seiilani” and “Ulaspada”[meant “Shri Pada” in Ptolemy’s map]. All
the enlightened Buddhas, “Kakusanda”, “Konagama”, “Kashyapa” and “Gauthama” got
their “Viwarana” [Self Realization through meditation]here in “Kooragala”
because it was here before the “Tapas pilay Kap Upatha” meaning “Here before
Everything”. On to the foot of the mountain is another place called
“Rambagathnuwara” [Ramba means Plantains] where a vast cultivated land of
Plantains could still be seen, and it is here where all the 24 holy Buddhas,
[Atavisi Budhuwaru and Soovisi Budhuwaru]“Sannangkara”, “Saranangkara”,
“Medhangkara” and “Deepangkara” got their Enlightment periodically. The
plantains were transported from “Rambagathnuwara” to “Barawakumbuka” in
Embilipitiya, to distribute around the world.
The muslims around the “Kooragala” area knows the actual
story and admits the shame others brought upon them because they believe that
God doesn’t exist in caves or anywhere else but above. Inside the Cave however,
there’s a huge Gem, in the Rock wall, which reflects bright when the Sun is upon
it which the muslims claim is the “Light from Heaven” [the “Abhu Sali” trick]
“Kooragala” is also known as “Garundha Raaja Gala”
because it resembles a “Garundha” lying down. In the ancient scripts of
“Garundha Puranaya” it has mentioned that it is here that the God “Vishnu” had
spoken to the “Garundha” and described the “Eight Worst Hells” on earth [Ashta
Mahaa Narakaadiya] such as, “Sanjeewaya”, “Kaalasoothraya”, “Sanghathaya”,
“Rauwraya”, “Maha Rauwraya”, “Thapaya”, “Prathapaya”, “Aveechiya”. Vishnu also described
the rock as “Waithunda Parwatha” and the
“Mahaakaala Naagha Raajaya” means the “Naagha Parwathaya” [Snake Rock] where
the “Naagha Loka”[Snake World] was.
“Goraura un avith watakrama umagewal esew thena thapas
rakiminda,
Saara sankhyak waada banda yudha karapu wasawarthi
helu gala menda,
Kooragala kanda mada pihiti ema thapas pila
maykapa upathata palamuwenda”
Some of the “Chaithyas” and “Dagabs” in Kooragala,
“Saluminisaeya”, “SiluminiSaeya”, “Aakashachethiya”[Maarajisaeya] were all
built for the purpose to commemorate the establishment of the “Holy Footprint” [Paadaya
Pihitawu Chaithya] long before the Holy “Gauthama Buddha” made the holy
“Footprint” at “Siri Paadaya”, people visited “Kooragala” to embrace the holy
shrine. There was a pond near the caves which is dried out now, but as the
legend says, it was called the “Saanthuwarayange Pokuna”[Pond of saints] where
people got cleansed before visiting the sacred area on top of “Kooragala”
mountain.
“Kaalapabbatha” “Uthpalawarna” mentioned in
“Vidhura Jathakaya” is known to man as the “Naagha Lokaya” or the “Paathaala
Lokaya”[Underworld] and The “Siri Paadaya” was also called the “Yamagiripawwa”
and the king of “Yama” was none other than the God “Sumana Saman” himself.
“Parumaka Sumana” means the leader of all “Sumanas” which is also the God
“Sumana Saman”. In the time of lord “Gauthama Buddha” there was a war between
the “Sura” and “Asura” for a Gem Throne where the Chakrawarthi [Universal] King
“Tharaka” was the “Asura” king. Lord Buddha came down here on invitation and
resolved the problem by preaching the “Dhajagga Soothra” which took place near
the first cave “Dattha and Samudra”. The original cave inscription is “Siddhartha
and Samudra” but unfortunately a part of the inscription was destroyed by
someone leaving only the “Dattha” part.
The entire Lakdiva was one Nation and one Race. During
the reign of King “Dutugemunu” after the war, there was a drought, and it was
called the “Buluthadha” where people only had the fruits from the Bulu tree. Also
the “Girikhanda Saagathaya” where Professor Senarath Paranawithana had
explained that people ate rocks. After king Dutugemunu, his brother king ”Saddhathissa”
was crowned and his son “Watta Gamini” after him where another drought took place
for 13 years without rain causes the kingdom to establish away from the drought
for the welfare of the people. Apart from the Holy Scripture “Thripitakaya” monks
from India such as “Buddhaghosa” and “Dharmapala” were the ones who came down and
wrote the “Atuwa-Tika” to the later part of history. The “Sura” were the ones
who lived beneath the mountain in “Wankagiriya” who were Non-Vegetarian and anti
Narcotic.
In the 6th Century AD where Lord “Gauthama
Buddha” lived, there were no human inhabitations beyond “Pettigala” and “Dethaniyagala”
but Animals. According to the story “Ramayanaya”, “Seetha Guli”[Rice Balls] was
given to her by Gods to ease hunger and the dropped Rice [Stone] Balls can
still be found on the plains of Sabaragamuwa with magical healing powers according
to legend, which was later discovered that it was nothing but Wild boar
Droppings. Basically the Wild Boar eats the most venomous creatures and yet survives,
and scientifically it could have healing powers to some extent. Since “Kalthota”
was a sea port in ancient times, Legends says about a Ship hitting on top of
the mountain where it got petrified and the drawing are still visible to date. The
holy “Deepangkara Buddha” and “Sumedha Taapasa”[later Gauthama Buddha] both meditated here on top of Kooragala
mountain where it was before everything else ever was before. There are stories
about Tsunamis in ancient times which I believe could be cause by the land separation
of countries of the Gondwanaland.
“Mahama mera mudunathin yamagiri kuhara gala pita
thabu pathul
Saema pelahara methak kala wata wadamawan muniduge
pathul
Saema uwaduru duru karannata amathi piriwara waenda
pathul
Ama maha sanda nivan dakinata wandimu muninduge
siri pathul”
Recent excavations done by the Archeology Department of Sri
Lanka [25.04.2013] discovered mass quantities of prehistoric artifacts and amongst
them are Human Skeletons, Advance Stone Tools, Sea Shells, Animal Skeletons is
yet to me Carbon dated. The Stone Tools found were smooth and symmetrical could
be verified as “Microlithic tools” which were identical to the artifacts found
near “Bellanbendipelassa”. The valley near the river “Walawe” is in-between the
Dry Zone and the Wet Zone which believe to be a “Transmigration” area. Also have
found artifact of Oceanic Crustaceans and Mammals such as, Shark and Crabs
where the distance to the sea is 60 kilometers, which archeologists believe
that the Prehistoric man exchanged foods. Catfish, Elk, Deer and Chevrotain are
also among the artifacts found in Kooragala which believes to be ageing from
6000-10,000 years. “Kithulgala-Beli Lena”, “Batadomba Lena” and “Pahiyangala” artifacts
believes to belong to the same
Mesolithic Period due to the similar Sea Shells found called “Akavos Phoenix”
The
Ancient Wind Iron Production Owens
M.P.P. Gunasinghe
The “Thanjanthenna Owen” is one of the Owens found
in “Mahawalathenna” area. Owens similar to “Thanjama Owen” could be found throughout
the vast plains of “Mahawalathenna”, “Hatharabhage”, and “Weralugasmangkada”. The
Iron Industry in Lakdiva ages over 1000 AD. And it has been proven by Dr.Siran
Daraniyagala’s excavations in Anuradhapura. The Owen at “Thanjanthenna” found
near the “Mangara Devalaya and Raja Maha Viharaya” is similar to the Owens at “Hatharabhage”
which was noted and drawn by Ananda Kumaraswamy. It is also similar to “Weralugasmangkada”
Owens which shows the same exact layout. A woman named “Randuna” had seen her husband
working in the Owens with her own eyes, which she sings lullabies to her son “Ran
Hawadiya”.
“Kaeta kotalai Yamanaa
Karata ganin Yamanaa
Koawa daman yamanaa
Sam paagai yamanaa
Doi doi doi doi doiiyaa
Bai bai bai bai baiiyaa”
In the ancient times the Iron production area is
verified as, to the right of “Idalgashinna” till the river “Walawe”, from East
till “Bibilehela”, from south till “Kuruwita” during the reign of king “Rajasinghe
II” it has mentioned in the scriptures that, the “Atakalampanna” are had sent
2228 Iron Balls to the Royal palace. And also it has mentioned that the”Sabaragamuwa”
and “Kandepallakorale” areas were the official areas which supplied Iron to the
Royal Treasury. The Iron Workers are called the “Yaman Kulay Attho”
courtesy of Sabaragamuwa-Youtube
courtesy of Sabaragamuwa-Youtube
