The pride of Pulathisipura

by Supun Perera

In recognition of the world heritage sites "UNESCO" has undertaken the herculean task preserving and protecting of these global cultural treasures. Sri Lanka; the "PEARL" of the Indian Ocean has a proud and a long dated history to boast of with more than two thousand five hundred years which one argues even prior to the arrival of king Vijaya from South India.
 

As identified by "UNESCO" the cultural triangle consists of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy. What inspires the travellers? Many of whom from the Southern hemisphere believe that Sri Lanka had been a prosperous and a self sufficient country in many ways. Most of these travellers are surprised and time and again visit the island to study and gather the amazing engineering architectural skills of our forefathers and the picture rock carving.

The history and the pride of Polonnaruwa; earlier known as "Pulathisipura" dates back to 2nd century B.C. During the Anuradhapura regime Polonnaruwa had been used as a well fortified base like what you see in Vijithapura and Sigiriya.
 

The Sinhalese kings used this city as an intermediary point with a view to escape to the Southern (Ruhuna) province, in case of a South Indian invasion. Therefore it was known as "Kandavurubendipura".

Simultaneously the history books reveal two indigenous medicine "Experts" (Gurus) who lived in Polonnaruwa. They were "Kapila and Pulathisi". (In common terms they were "Isiwarayas"). However, Pulasthisi takes the precedence and the city was known as initially Pulathinagora, then Pulathisipura, later Pulanarupura and finally as Polonnaruwa.

The fall of Anuradhapura in the latter part of the ninth century A.D. was the dawn and the beginning of Polonnaruwa. It was prince Keerthi later who became king Vijayabahu the great who made Polonnaruwa the medieval capital of the island after Anuradhapura.

The Mahavamsa; the sacred history inscription gives equal prominence to king Dutugemunu and king Vijayabahu-1 as two great national heroes who liberated the country from the South Indian invaders and ultimately united it as one nation.

Incidentally many a Sri Lankan buddhist owes king Vijayabahu since he resurrected Buddhism and its disciplined culture once ruined by the Chola invaders. He not only restored the "upasampadawa" and even went on to renovate and reconstruct the dagobas, temples and tanks in Rajarata. He was the chief architect of "Atadageya" found in Polonnaruwa' which still reflects the pristine glory of it in the past.

The reign of king Vijayabahu-1 from 1055 A.D. to 1110 A.D. was one of the most prosperous eras of the island. It was free of any foreign invasions and the people of the country lived a happy, healthy and a peaceful life. The demise of this great king saw once again the divisions in the country and many fought for the throne in the country.

It was his grandson king Parakramabahu the great, who re-united this country, (his regime was from 1166 to 1186 A.D.). King Parakramabahu was a very intelligent leader. According to history he had shown his power and might in the battle field like his grandfather king Vijayabahu-1. At the same time he was very close to his subjects.

The Mahavamsa pays a glowing tribute to his knowledge and the intelligence. Parakramabahu too; realised that development needs proper irrigational system. This is why he predicted that "Not a single drop of water that comes from above should be wasted".

His was the brainchild behind the construction of "Parakrama Samudraya" in Polonnaruwa. This huge tank consist of three other tanks namely Thopa Wewa, Dumbutulu Wewa and Erabadu Wewa. The rock temple too in Polonnaruwa was built during his era. The four Buddhist statues were carved on the face of the rock depicting four postures of Lord Buddha.

The statue of king Parakramabahu could be seen on the left side of the right flank of Parakrama Samudraya. However, it still puzzles many historians since there is no such stone inscription to be found whether it is the statue of king Parakramabahu the great.

This statue is located in the close proximity of Pothgul Viharaya which the history books say that it was an ancient indigenous medicinal library and on account of that the statue belongs to 'guru' pulathisi.

However, after a feasible study; archaeological maestro Prof. Medis Rohanadeera confirms that this carving belongs to a person of the "Lambakarna" clan since just above the left shoulder it depicts a front view of a hare; which was supposed to be the monumental logo of Lambakarna's.

Therefore it is believed to be of king Parakramabahu the great who is of Lambakarna Origin.